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Oulton: Lavilla takes two |
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Monday, 01 May 2006 |
 Gregorio Lavilla took the win in the final Bennetts British Superbike
race of the day at Oulton Park, but his win was overshadowed by the
decision over who was to be awarded third place after an incident
between Shane Byrne and Jonathan Rea on lap 17.
Both riders were inseparable on the final lap of the race and were so
close that when they approached the Knickerbrook chicane the pair
touched, Byrne was able to brake in time for the corner but Rea went
across the grass and rejoined the track.
When the race finished the pair were under investigation to decide as
to whom would be awarded third place, as the Rizla Suzuki team felt
that Rea had gained an advantage from the mistake.
When the podium celebrations took place Rea took his position on the
podium, his first podium in BSB. He said: "I knew exactly what would
happen when we came back into Pit Lane. We touched, but the way I see
it I never gained an advantage."
The action started before the lights went green as Haslam was forced to
abandon his Airwaves Ducati on the warm up lap. He ran back to the
garage to collect his spare machine but was forced to start from the
pit lane. He battled through from the back of the pack and finished in
seventh place.
The Stobart Motorsport Honda of Michael Rutter led the pack on lap one
and stayed there until Lavilla made his move at Hizzys Chicane. Lavilla
then stayed at the front, closely shadowed by the HM Plant Honda of
Karl Harris.
Harris left it until the final lap to make his move on the Spaniard;
passing him at Old Hall but Lavilla was not going to settle for second
and passed Harris on the run down the Avenue.
The last chance for Harris to take the win was at Lodge- he made his
move down the inside of the reigning champion, but on the run up to the
line Lavilla powered the Ducati past Harris. This now leaves him with a
61-point advantage in the championship.
Lavilla said: "I am pretty sure that all the teams are closer to us
now, I had to work very hard. I played my cards right, I had the
experience from last year which helped."
Shane Byrne was awarded fourth at the end of the race ahead of Ryuichi
Kiyonari and Michael Rutter. The second Rizla Suzuki of James Haydon
fell on lap one with Dean Thomas at Shell Oils corner.
Bennetts British Superbike Race 2 Provisional Result
1 Gregorio Lavilla (Airwaves Ducati)
2 Karl Harris (HM Plant Honda)
3 Jonathan Rea (Red Bull Honda)
4 Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki)
5 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
6 Michael Rutter (Stobart Motorsport Honda)
7 Leon Halsam (Airwaves Ducati)
8 Tommy Hill (Virgin Mobile Yamaha)
9 Glen Richards (Hydrex Honda)
10 Ben Wilson (Vivaldi Racing)
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