Wet conditions and concerns over the life of Pirelli's wet tyres have forced the cancellation of the first World Superbike race at Monza today.

Following an initial start and then a red flag after a couple of crashes, the heavens opened and an on-grid rider meeting followed by a track inspection resulted in the opening leg being abandoned. A meeting this morning concluded with most riders saying they wouldn't race in the wet on the Pirellis that were only lasting three laps (click here).

Both Marco Melandri and John Hopkins fell in the first part of the race while Max Biaggi's engine went bang and he would not have made the re-start, so luck has fallen the Italian's way as he would have surrendered his points lead to Carlos Checa, should he have finished.