Xaus claims home victory
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ByEurosport
Published 15/04/2007 at 11:03 GMT
Ruben Xaus gave the Spanish crowd a home victory in race one at Valencia, taking the 10th race win of his career. Despite his day's work being only half done, Xaus's win prompted jubilant fans to set off fireworks on the track.
SUPERBIKE 2007 Donington Park Ruben Xaus Ducati Sterilgada
Image credit: From Official Website
The Sterilgarda Ducati man was followed in by Yamaha Italia's Noriyuki Haga, while Troy Bayliss - in his first race since losing a finger - mounted the bottom step of the podium.
Xaus said: "It was a wonderful race, the weather seems to be strange it was hard to get the right set up and the team worked really hard.
"I was calm, relaxed. I had a good start and a battle with James, and we touched. After that it was OK."
Bayliss added: "I'm really happy for Ruben. It's been a while since he had a win and we know what he's capable of so congratulations to him."
Although the Valencia track was still drying after a morning shower, the front runners all opted for slick tyres, and their decision was justified as precipitation held off for the duration of the race.
Troy Corser declared himself unhappy after qualifying just fourth, but had no such problems on lap one, getting the holeshot into the first corner, inches in front of Bayliss and Haga.
But home favourite Xaus, hailing from just up the Mediterranean coast at Barcelona, sent the crowd into raptures when he edged in front of Haga and Corser to hit the front.
He traded positions with the Japanese rider for several laps before finally putting some daylight between himself and the rest of the field.
Corser had to settle for fourth, while championship leader James Toseland came in a lonely fifth.
Further down the field there was a titanic battle for sixth involving Karl Muggeridge, Lorenzo Lanzi, Michel Fabrizio, Max Biaggi and Josh Brookes.
Muggeridge paid the price for some high-octane dicing when he high-sided his Alto Evolution Honda on lap 13, although he emerged unhurt. Lanzi eventually crossed the line sixth, ahead of Fabrizio and a disappointed Biaggi.
Follow race two LIVE on eurosport.co.uk at 14:30 BST (15:30 CET)!
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