Checa loses ground after Donington disaster

Carlos Checa has slipped 23 points off the World Superbike Championship lead after a dramatic first corner accident in race two concluded a frustrating weekend for the reigning champion.

Starting off the front two rows for the first time since Monza 2011, Checa struggled to get into the lead fight during race one as he faded to a quiet sixth place finish.

However, worse was to follow in the second race when Checa clipped the rear tyre of Eugene Laverty's Aprilia as he rounded the opening bend. Sending him into the path of Jakub Smrz and Althea Ducati team-mate Davide Giugliano, Checa's subsequent fall would force him into his third non-score of the season.

"After the result of race one, which wasn't bad, I thought I'd be able to do more in the second. I tried to start strong and found a good position but when I got to the apex I saw Laverty in front of me and he braked suddenly, maybe there was a rider in front of him I don't know.

"I did everything I could to brake, to stop the bike, but there were riders all around me and I couldn't avoid a fall.

Picking up a minor leg injury, Checa says he will now focus his attention on the next event at Miller Motorsports Park, where he has been dominant in recent seasons.

"My leg is a bit sore and a little swollen but I'm ok. I need a couple of days to get over this result and then I'll start preparing for Miller."