It was Max Biaggi on his Aprilia RSV4 Factory who took the win in race 1 at Portimao after an exciting duel with Leon Haslam that lasted until almost the chequered flag, leaving Haslam in second and two tenths behind the Italian.
While the Roman Emperor diced it out with Pocket Rocket leaving the rest of the group behind, the third place on the podium saw numerous contenders trying to battle for the position.
Jonathan Rea would eventually take 3rd place when Cal Crutchlow, who looked to be heading for his first podium in WSBK, crashed out with only three laps to go.
Yesterday’s poleman would be able to remount and finish in 14th.
Carlos Checa took fourth, while Biaggi’s team mate Leon Camier was fifth across the finish line after starting in 11th on the grid.
The other Althea Ducati rider Shane Byrne settled for sixth, ahead of James Toseland who after yesterday’s crash qualified 15th and steadily passed several riders and finally took seventh after passing Noriyuki Haga on the final lap.
Haga was another rider who qualified back on the grid with an 18th place, but after a fast start was able to come up to take 8th place.
BMW ‘s Troy Corser finished ninth after looking like he could contend for a podium finish early in the race, while his team mate Ruben Xaus regained all the confidence that he’d lost during his crashes in Round 1 at Phillip Island to close out the top ten.
Portimao Race 1 Results:01- Max Biaggi – Aprilia Alitalia Racing – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – 22 giri in 37′59.
28302- Leon Haslam – Team Suzuki Alstare – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – + 0.
20003- Jonathan Rea – HANNspree Ten Kate Honda – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 6.
90104- Carlos Checa – Althea Racing – Ducati 1198 F10 – + 7.
45705- Leon Camier – Aprilia Alitalia Racing – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 7.
56406- Shane Byrne – Althea Racing – Ducati 1198 F10 – + 11.
42007- James Toseland – Yamaha Sterilgarda Team – Yamaha YZF R1 – + 18.
39108- Noriyuki Haga – Ducati Xerox Team – Ducati 1198 F10 – + 18.
53609- Troy Corser – BMW Motorrad Motorsport – BMW S1000RR – + 24.
51410- Ruben Xaus – BMW Motorrad Motorsport – BMW S1000RR – + 32.
42711- Michel Fabrizio – Ducati Xerox Team – Ducati 1198 F10 – + 35.
04512- Lorenzo Lanzi – DFX Corse – Ducati 1198 RS – + 36.
81613- Sylvain Guintoli – Team Suzuki Alstare – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – + 36.
84114- Cal Crutchlow – Yamaha Sterilgarda Team – Yamaha YZF R1 – + 44.
67815- Tom Sykes – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX 10R – + 44.
94216- Vittorio Iannuzzo – S.
C.
I.
Honda Garvie Image – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 59.
13517- Sheridan Morais – ECHO CRS Honda – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 59.
85218- Roger Hayden – Team Pedercini – Kawasaki ZX 10R – + 1′00.
09719- Matteo Baiocco – Team Pedercini – Kawasaki ZX 10R – + 1′10.
151RET 88 Pitt A.
(AUS) BMW S1000 RRRET 96 Smrz J.
(CZE) Ducati 1098RRET 49 Tamada M.
(JPN) BMW S1000 RRRET 76 Neukirchner M.
(GER) Honda CBR1000RR