Duff weekend for Troy.

It hasn't happened much in 2005, but Troy Corser finally endured a difficult weekend in the Alstare Corona Extra World Superbike Championship as he failed to finish on the podium for the first time this year.

Corser had to settle for fourth place in both of the 16 lap races in Holland but, despite a double victory for Chris Vermeulen, the Australian still holds a commanding lead over the Ten Kate Honda rider in the championship standings.

"I knew we were due a duff weekend sometime this season and I guess this was it," Corser admitted. "But at least I finished both races and didn't drop too many points. I'm not disappointed - just a bit frustrated. All weekend we had wheelspin problems and yesterday afternoon we changed an engine and I think maybe we lost our way a little.

"In both races today, I just couldn't keep with the guys up front because I couldn't get on the gas whilst the bike was leant over. I had to wait until it was more upright before I could get on the gas properly and that lost quite a bit of time. We changed the set-up of the bike for the second race and it was heaps better, but I still couldn't gas it like normal. I was really pushing the front end hard in both races and if I'd pushed any harder, I'm sure I would have crashed. It was better to finish the races and take as many points as possible and that's what I did.

"Hopefully, things will be back to normal next weekend at Lausitzring."