Hayden grabs maiden WSBK win at Sepang

bernama photo.

SEPANG: American Nicky Hayden took his maiden victory in the FIM Superbike World Championships (WSBK) with an emphatic win in a wet race two at the Sepang Circuit today. 

Heavy rain earlier saw the Supersport race delayed until after the WSBK race, but slowed down to a drizzle as the latter started. 

The Honda World Superbike Team rider, who started from fourth on the grid, lead from the first lap and rode a calculated race in the tricky conditions, crossing the line in 37 minutes and 4.074 seconds (16 laps). 

Italian Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing-Ducati) and championship leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) of Northern Island came in second and third, 1.254s and 3.684s adrift of Hayden. 

Englishman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who won the first race yesterday, settled for eighth (+23.011s).
-nst online.