Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards goes six for six

Colin Edwards led virtually from start to finish to clinch win number six in succession at Assen in the first WSB race today.

The Texan made it look easy, after passing Neil Hodgson at the end of lap two of the 16-lap race he simply took off and commanded the race from the front again. His win takes him up to 477 points, just 24 points down from Troy Bayliss, who finished the race in second place.

In the middle of the race Ruben Xaus seemed to move over to let his teammate Bayliss by at the final chicane. Bayliss took the gift and took off into third to catch and pass Nori Haga. Xaus, meanwhile, was unable to get past the Aprilia.

Early leader Hodgson was forced to retire with a machine problem, a disappointment for the Brit after he’d enjoyed a massive battle for the lead with Edwards in the opening stages.

Edwards’ win means he joins Troy Bayliss as the only rider ever to win six races on the trot in WSB. He must be wishing that Honda had given him the go-faster parts that arrived after Suzuka a little earlier in the season.

Assen World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 16 laps, 32:58.601
2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -3.606 seconds
3. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -5.351 seconds
4. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -7.741 seconds
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -16.262 seconds
6. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -19.592 seconds
7. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -21.882 seconds
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -22.166 seconds
9. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -36.474 seconds
10. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -44.127 seconds
11. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -46.636 seconds
12. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -64.516 seconds
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -65.036 seconds
14. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, -98.856 seconds
15. Jeronimo Vidal, Honda RC51, -111.113 seconds
16. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, -121.314 seconds
17. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -1 lap
18. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -3 laps, DNF
19. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -7 laps, DNF
20. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -9 laps, DNF
21. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -10 laps, DNF
22. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -10 laps, DNF
23. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -12 laps, DNF, mechanical