Yamaha bounce back with the first podium of the season

Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow showed solid race craft in the second superbike race today, confidently sticking with race leaders Max Biaggi and Leon Haslam to stand on the World Superbike podium for the first time. After dropping to fourth initially Crutchlow capitalised on his opportunity to move up when Johnny Rea was pushed wide by Haslam going into the first corner on lap three.

He was never more than 0.3 seconds from the lead, taking his well earned podium in third at the finish line. Team-mate James Toseland wrapped up the day in race two with style, charging through the pack from 15th, overcoming a number of competitive riders to cross the line in sixth, nearly ten places up from the start.

Race one proved to be a display of consistency and determination from British rider Toseland. Starting from a less than perfect 15th on the grid, Toseland gradually worked his way through the pack. The final lap saw him close down a half second gap, taking Haga on the last corner to steal a well deserved seventh place finish at the line. His team-mate Crutchlow spent the majority of the race in third until an unfortunate low-side crash three laps from the end dropped him to 15th. He managed to pass 14th placed rider Tom Sykes on the last lap to stay in the points.

Crutchlow heads to Valencia in tenth position with 25 points, Toseland heads to the third round in Spain in 11th, tied on points with his team-mate with 25.


Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (14th, 3rd)

"It was a tough day today from the first race, I made a stupid mistake, my own fault I was pushing too hard. We've made big steps from Australia, all credit to Yamaha they've done a fantastic job. We came here fighting but unfortunately in the first race I went down and Johnny Rea got through and got the podium.

 I'm looking forward to the next weekend in Valencia, if we can continue doing a good job and getting the success we're starting to experience it'll be a good season, let's keep the ball rolling. The team have put in a sterling effort this weekend. Well done to Max Biaggi and Leon Camier as well."
 

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (7th, 6th)

"We've still got a lot of work to do but we've made massive improvements. We really deserved the third and sixth in that last race, After Cal's Superpole he was unlucky to crash in the first race so I'm really pleased with his result in the second.

The potential of the bike is very good, once we use the full power of the engine we're right up there. It was only my crash that stopped me being on the front row I think. I was a bit sore today and my head was bit fuzzy after its knock yesterday so I wasn't completely on form. Considering that and starting from 15th on the grid we achieved some good results. It's a shame we started on the back foot this year but we're moving on and we're keeping on pushing."

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager

"For sure we've made a great improvement after Australia, we got a Superpole and we got our first podium. I think this will be helpful in continuing to improve. I'm optimistic that what Cal achieved today can be what we expect to have for the next races. James is also improving, I'm sure that without the crash in Superpole he would have been starting from the first or second row and would have achieved even more during the races.

He showed us that he's finding his rhythm with the bike. A big thanks to all the guys in the team who have done a great job getting us back to being competitive, it's something I really appreciate."

 
Circuit Length: 4.592
Weather: Sunny
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'42.092 (Cal Crutchlow, 28/03/2010)
Last Years Winner: Michel Fabrizio 
 
2010 WSB Portugal - Portimo 28/03/2010 Race 1 - 22 Laps
1 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 37'59.283
2 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'00.200
3 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 0'06.901
4 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'07.457
5 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 0'07.564
6 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'11.420
7 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'18.391
8 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 0'18.536
9 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'24.514
10 Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 0'32.427
11 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'35.045
12 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 0'36.816
13 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'36.841
14 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 0'44.678
15 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 0'44.942


Race 2 - 22 Laps
1 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 38'06.128
2 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'00.191
3 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 0'00.658
4 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'01.015
5 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 0'03.123
6 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'09.131
7 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'11.033
8 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 0'13.452
9 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'13.964
10 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'16.377
11 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'26.351
12 Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 0'27.964
13 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 0'33.566
14 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 0'33.823
15 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 0'37.372


Best Lap
Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 1'42.774

Rider Standings 28/03/2010
1. Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 85
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 69
3. Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 60
4. Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 46
5. Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 43
6. Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 39
7. Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 33
8. Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 32
9. Troy Corser BMW AUS 29
10. Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 25
11. James Toseland Yamaha GBR 25
12. Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 25
13. Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 15
14. Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 10
15. Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 8

Manufacturer Standings 28/03/2010
1. Suzuki 85
2. Ducati 71
3. Aprilia 69
4. Honda 40
5. Yamaha 32
6. BMW 29
7. Kawasaki 7


Yamaha Racing