Motorcycling: Guintoli triumphs in Netherlands

Sylvain Guintoli of France and Team Effenbert (Getty Images)

Sylvain Guintoli finished in first and second places in the two races of the Dutch round of the World Superbike Championship at Assen yesterday.

The Effenbert Liberty Ducati rider led home a rain-affected race one but had to give best to Jonathan Rea in race two at the Northern Irishman's Honda team's home event. Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa was third in the first race behind Guintoli and team-mate Davide Giugliano.

But the Spaniard was only 17th in race two and has lost the championship lead to Max Biaggi after the Aprilia rider posted fourth and eighth places.

Biaggi now leads title-holder Checa by one point in the standings after Checa was forced to change his wet tyres for a dry compound during race two and could finish only 17th.

Britain's Tom Sykes, who started from pole for the third event in succession, lies third in the standings, 13 points back from Biaggi.