The first event at the French circuit was a two-man battle between Bayliss and Haga, with both riders swapping positions at the front of the pack throughout the 23-lap race. However, it was Haga’s unwavering determination that enabled him to clinch the overall victory and another 25 points to add to his tally.



Although the championship title had already been secured, second place in the series was still to play for in race two. A good start from the line enabled Bayliss to grab the holeshot – the Ducati rider keen to score a race win at Magny Cours. Another nail biting 23-lap race followed, once again with Haga and Bayliss playing a cat and mouse chase at the front of the pack.





However this time round, Champion Bayliss emerged victorious, the 39-year-old clinching his 50th World Superbike race win of his career.

Meanwhile, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s Carlos Checa had a positive day in France, scoring seventh and fourth place finishes in races one and two respectively. Team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu finished ninth and 19th in the day’s events while HANNspree Honda Althea’s Roberto Rolfo scored tenth in race two.

Race 1 result

1. N. Haga (Yamaha); 2. F. Nieto (Suzuki) +6.223; 3. T. Bayliss (Ducati) +6.875; 4. M. Biaggi (Ducati) +7.237; 5. M. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 8.925; 6. T. Corser (Yamaha) +10.714; 7. C. Checa (Honda) +16.176; 8. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) +22.661; 9. K. Sofuoglu (Honda) +27.224; 10. G. Lavilla (Honda) +31.300; 17. M. Bauer (Honda) +43.350.

Race 2 result

1. T. Bayliss (Ducati); 2. N. Haga (Yamaha) +0.909; 3. T. Corser (Yamaha) +2.955; 4. C. Checa (Honda) +7.175; 5. R. Xaus (Ducati) 12.822; 6. M.Biaggi (Ducati) +13.004; 7. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) +18.876; 8. F. Nieto (Suzuki) +19.512; 9. M. Neukirchner (Suzuki) +19.527; 10. R. Rolfo (Honda) +21.425; 19. K. Sofuoglu (Honda) +58.616.

Championship standings after 13 rounds
1. T. Bayliss (Ducati) 410; 2. N. Haga (Yamaha) 325; 3. T. Corser (Yamaha) 316; 4. M. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 298; 5. C. Checa (Honda) 284; 6. M. Biaggi (Ducati) 235; 7. F. Nieto (Suzuki) 234; 8. M. Fabrizio (Ducati) 203; 9. R. Kiyonari (Honda) 193; 10. R. Xaus (Ducati) 171; 15. R. Rolfo (Honda) 55; K. Sofuoglu (Honda) 54.