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SBK, Laguna Seca: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Rea the Cannibal continues to destroy the competition, Davies and the Ducati are gracious in defeat while Laverty finally puts the Aprilia back on the podium

SBK: Laguna Seca: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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The United States, the land of dreams and great opportunity, something that Johnny Rea knew exactly how to seize. The Cannibal enjoyed a perfect run at the Monterey track, over a weekend in which team-mate Tom Sykes barely featured. Contrary to Eugene Laverty that is, who was able to put the team Milwaukee Aprilia back on the podium in race 2, while both Marco Melandri and Lorenzo Savadori crashed out.   

THE GOOD – It can be no other than Johnny Rea. The Cannibal scored his 62nd SBK win at Laguna Seca, a tally that is only set to increase. His double win in California means that he is moving ever closer to a fourth world title.

THE UGLY – And to think that he was the only able to keep up with the number one Kawasaki on Friday. Marco Melandri then began to melt like snow under the Monterey sun. A gret weekend for the Italian, one that fell well below expectations and closed with a crash on Sunday. 

THE BAD – There was much talk about him at Brno following the contact with Rea. Hands up if anyone saw him at Laguna Seca though. A Tom Sykes forced to play the part of spectator, unable to get anywhere near the positions that counted. Are market rumours to blame perhaps?

THE DISAPPOINTMENT – While Eugene Laverty was busy spraying champagne on the podium, Lorenzo Savadori was left licking his wounds following his crash. Having surprised with the fourth fastest time on Friday, the Italian was left disappointed with the US round.

THE CONFIRMATION – these Yamaha are becoming an increasingly sure thing. In the United States it was Lowes who put the R1 on the podium, though Sunday was a little less positive, with Alex and Van Der Mark left fighting over the crumbs.

THE PASS – Johnny Rea made close to 10 in race 2. You decide which was your favourite!

THE MISTAKE – It was his first time racing at the Californian track and we're sure that Toprak Razgatlioglu has learned not to underestimate the Corkscrew. The Turkish rider suffered a violent highside on Saturday, one that saw him sit out the rest of the weekend after breaking his toe.

THE SURPRISE – Eugene Laverty was finally able to put the Aprilia back on the podium. The Milwaukee rider was back to his 2013 form, now we just hope to see it again at Misano.

THE INTERESTING FACT– We've often asked what Jake Gagne's role in Honda is. Laguna might be his home round, but the American was finally able to show some signs of vitality, finishing top ten in both races, something that hadn't happened until now.

I TOLD YOU SO – After race 1, Marco Melandri warned: “Race 2 will be different". It proved to be even worse. We hope to see a comeback at Misano.

 

Translated by Heather Watson
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