Kyalami: Michelin race report

Bayliss steamroller dominates Kyalami, Michelin dominate podium.

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada - Michelin) takes another double to extend unbeaten run to six races and extend lead after round three of World Superbike championship at Kyalami circuit in South Africa as Michelin fills all three places on podium in both r aces.

Troy Bayliss extended his record-breaking run to six straight wins with victory in both World Superbike races of round three at the Kyalami track in South Africa on Sunday.

The dominant Australian shrugged off the pressure from Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda - Michelin) and his own team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada - Michelin) to win the two 25-lap races.

The trio also guaranteed all-Michelin podiums for the second successive round of the championship as they did battle on the hillside circuit on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Bayliss won the opening race despite the pressure from Edwards who closed to within 1.5s before the Australian opened up an advantage in the final five laps of the race for his fifth win from five races in 2002. Xaus battled bravely through from 11th place on the grid to finish third.

Edwards opted for a wider rear rim size for the second race and it improved the American's SP-2 machine - reducing his race time by two seconds compared to the opening race but it was still not enough to catch Bayliss.

Bayliss overcame the early challenge of Noriyuki Haga on the Aprilia before edging away at the head of the race, only to be caught by Xaus.

Xaus looked set to challenge but once more the determination of Bayliss proved unbeatable and the defending world champion continued his 100 per cent record with a sixth win. The win was the 14th of Bayliss's Superbike career and his fourth double win.

"Everything's just slotting into place at the moment," said Bayliss. "The Ducati is about as good as it's ever felt and Michelin are certainly providing the best tyres. We'll see how it all goes in Japan in two weeks' times."

-michelin-