Monza: Michelin race summary

Bayliss double at high-speed Monza.

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada - Michelin) rocketed to a double victory in round five of the World Superbike championship at the historic Monza venue in Italy on Sunday.

The Australian grabbed his seventh and eighth wins of the year but only after two exciting 18-lap races. He won the opening race, powering ahead of leader Neil Hodgson with two laps to go before defending his lead in the 190mph blast down to the final, Par abolica corner.

Hodgson held on to second while Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda - Michelin) was a close third as all three riders crossed the finish line separated by just 0.576s.

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada - Michelin) rode a spectacular race -- starting from 17th place on the grid after set-up problems during qualifying -- the Spaniard rode through to sixth place, finishing behind the Ducati pair of Pier-Francesco Chili and James Toseland.

Bayliss led in the early stages of the second before Edwards hit the front on the ninth lap. A lap later Bayliss was back ahead and, with some determined riding, was able to make the break from the pursuing Edwards, Hodgson and Aprilia rider Noriyuki Haga.

Bayliss held a two-second lead at the finish while Edwards put the SP-2 Honda -- Michelin combination to good use on the very last lap to ensure he stayed ahead of Hodgson and Haga.

Haga - a first race retirement with engine trouble - blasted out of the Parabolica final turn to move from fourth place to third, relegating Hodgson a place.

Suzuki's Gregorio Lavilla took fifth with Ducati privateer Lucio Pedercini sixth. Xaus crashed on the third lap at the first chicane, escaping injury.

The double success for Bayliss gives him a 38-point lead in the championship over Edwards as the World Superbike teams head for a new venue with round six at the Silverstone circuit in the UK.

-michelin-