Superbikes: Max Biaggi lands double win in front of home fans

MAX Biaggi scored a superb double victory at Monza to close the gap on Britain's Leon Haslam in the Superbike World Championship title race.

The Italian, who claimed pole for Aprilia on Saturday, underlined his class in front of his home fans by winning a keenly-fought opener before easing to victory in an attritional race two. Biaggi's maximum points haul moves him to within three points of series leader Haslam, who finished fourth and second in yesterday's races for Alstare Suzuki.

Biaggi's RSV-4 was out front for most of the opening race but was under pressure throughout from

British trio James Toseland, Cal Crutchlow and Haslam.

A first-corner accident marred the start of race two, with Toseland, Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus all eliminated, clearing the way for

Biaggi to win after Crutchlow suffered a mechanical failure on lap 13. Haslam finished second, ahead of

Troy Corser with a welcome podium for BMW.