Two Spanish riders die after crash in World Superbike support event

Chaz Davies made history at Laguna Seca by taking the first double win for the Panigale R and with it, wins number 11 and 12 for the Italian manufacturer at this circuit.

After finishing fourth in the first race, Giugliano crashed on the second lap of race two when he high-sided out of turn six and was sent into a series of barrel-rolls as he and his Ducati came down.

The event was tinged with sadness, however, with two riders losing their lives in the MotoAmerica Superbike race. We made two small changes for race two and it was unusual because at the beginning I felt I had a really good bike set-up but in the rain Chaz (Davies) took a couple of more risks.

Light spots of rain on the track shortly after the start had caused some anxious moments for all the riders but the track conditions rapidly improved.

Carruthers declined to comment on whether MotoAmerica, which organises the race, will investigate. Two riders involved – Bernat Martinez of Alberic, Valencia, Spain, and Daniel Rivas Fernandez of Moana Galicia, Spain, both passed away due to injuries.

35-year-old Martinez was taken to the local community hospital in Monterey by ambulance, and succumbed to his injuries there.

MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey said: “I really don’t have any words to describe what we all feel”.

Rea, who continued his remarkable run of finishing on the podium at every single race this year, said: ‘I tried a lot but there was nothing I could do to go through on Tom in race one. “First and foremost, is the loss to the families and loved ones”.