BMW's Marco Melandri has attempted to justify the brace of second-race lunges which eventually cost not only his team a double one-two finish in World Superbikes at Donington Park but very probably Leon Haslam his first victory on the S1000RR.

The Italian tried to pass team-mate Haslam at the Melbourne Loop and at Goddards on the last lap of race two but was wildly optimistic both times. The second attempt also pushed Haslam wide and as he tried to recover, Jonathan Rea's Honda was where he needed to be.

"I am disappointed with the result of the second race. I was trying to pass Leon in the final corner, although I knew it would be difficult but I am a racer and I had to try. I ran a little wide and expected Leon to pass me back – finishing second would have been ok for me. Then Leon was hit and he crashed. His bike hit me and I crashed too. I feel sorry for both of us but that’s racing. We now have to keep our heads up high and look forward to Salt Lake City where we hope to be fighting for wins again," said Melandri.