Aprilia’s Marco Melandri has been waiting nearly a year to win a World Superbike race – and this time it happened, not once but twice at Sepang. The Italian used his prior track knowledge to good use, and ‘never gave up’ on the fight for the podium. He also managed to out-pace his team-mate Sylvain Guintoli in both races too.
Race one had the two RSV4s ridden by Melandri and Guintoli pulling away at the front from the very first lap to battle for the win. It was the rider from Ravenna who brought it home in the end, skilfully bridging the gap that had been created after a crashing pileup in the first few turns. Once he had caught up with his team mate, Melandri overtook him in one of the braking sections on the tenth lap, holding onto the lead until the chequered flag.
In race two a red flag on the third lap decreed a restart for a race - now shortened to ten laps and the starting grid based on the riders' positions at the time the race had been stopped, put the three RSV4s on the front row. Guintoli took the lead straight away while Melandri battled to chase down his team-mate.
In the final lap the two Aprilia riders made a series of passes with Melandri prevailing after Guintoli last ditch attempt in the turn right before the finish line. Melandri's double puts him up to fifth place in the rider standings.
"A double win that was just what we needed. Despite the difficulties we never gave up. We kept working and fighting. I had a good feeling straight away with my RSV4 here,” said Melandri.
“The conditions in race one were difficult but I managed to catch up to Sylvain. After overtaking him I set my own pace. I knew I could defend well in the braking sections and I was able to manage the race to the end.
“Race two was even harder because I also had to battle with the Kawasaki’s before catching Sylvain. In the last tap I thought I would give it a try. I had to give 100 percent down to the chequered flag. Anyway, all the riders deserve admiration today because riding in these conditions is not easy at all."
Click here for race results
