Spain's Carlos Checa was crowned as the World Superbike champion when he crossed the line first in the opening 23-lap race at Magny-Cours today.
The 38-year-old from Barcelona moved out to an unassailable 442 points with his 13th win of the season on his Althea Ducati, and took his maiden title in the process.
Only Yamaha's Marco Melandri could have stopped him prior to today, and his second-placed finish was not enough, with Leon Haslam (BMW), making up the podium. Long-time race leader, Ireland's Eugene Laverty, finished fifth and lies fourth in the overall standings.
Checa's success means he is the first Spaniard to lift the title, while it marks Ducati's first since Troy Bayliss claimed the trophy in 2008.
The championship is due reward for Checa, who has been on the world stage since 1993.
A two-time race winner at MotoGP level, he toiled on the circuit between 1995 and 2008 before switching to Superbikes.
