Althea Ducati boss concerned by Max Biaggi fight back

Althea Racing team manager Genesio Bevilacqua has once again signalled his displeasure at the decision to 'penalise' the Ducatis with an additional 6kg of ballast in 2012, particularly in light of Max Biaggi's excellent fight back to second place at Phillip Island.

The Italian has been a staunch protestor of the revised regulations over the winter, enforced following Checa's dominant turn on the 1200cc Ducati 1098R in 2011, and continued to complain at Phillip Island, despite his rider's competitive showing throughout the weekend.

Indeed, though Checa went on to take victory in the second race of the day, Bevilacqua was concerned by Biaggi's ability to battle back from 24th to second place following an off at the first turn.

With Biaggi ending the race just five seconds behind Checa, having been almost nine seconds adrift before having to make his way back through the field, Bevilacqua says he was 'disappointed' to see the 2010 champion able to make up such ground.

“After the crash in race one, we were worried that Carlos may be hurt but thankfully he wasn't and was able to concentrate on the second race. I was disappointed to see that there are riders that can start from last position and finish second, while we are penalised with six extra kilos of weight. It will be hard to overcome this difficulty this season, even with a rider, a champion, of Carlos' calibre.”

Despite Ducati's favourable results at Phillip Island, which also included Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz finishing the first race in third and fifth place respectively, the bikes were considerably down on pace through the speed traps, with Biaggi's Aprilia consistently 15kph quicker along the home straight.

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Carlos Checa crash and race winner at Phillip Island

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Carlos Checa comes away from the opening round of his World Superbike Championship defence at Phillip Island celebrating a 21st career win, but also nursing some bruises after a spectacular crash in race one.

Coming into race day keen to give his title challenge the best possible start, Checa looked every inch the rider that dominated in 2011 as he quickly worked his way to the front of the field in race one.

However, just as he was coming under pressure from Biaggi on lap five, Checa pushed too hard out of the final bend and was flung into a spectacular high-side, a fast crash that he admits is the worst he has experienced since joining Ducati in 2009.

Carlos Checa crash at Phillip Island

“In race one I had the worst crash that I've ever had with the Ducati. I was under pressure and pushed a little too hard. It's extremely difficult to find the exact limit with the bike, the track, and with myself and today I exceeded that limit and fell.

Unhurt in the high-speed accident, Checa dusted himself off for race two and, assisted by Biaggi's off at the first corner, proceeded to make amends with a fairly comfortable win.

“The team made a fantastic job of preparing a bike that allowed me to win in race two. In that race, I started strong and when I saw that Max had gone off track, I pushed hard to get ahead and win the race. Max made a good recovery but I was able to maintain a strong pace and bring home what is a very important win for me and for the team.”

Scoring 25 points for his troubles, Checa ends the weekend fourth in the standings, 20 points adrift of early leader Biaggi.

Read Jed Metcher race report from Phillip Island.

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