Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Hodgson beats Chili in close-fought WSB race

Neil Hodgson used his head to beat Frankie Chili after a race-long battle with the veteran Italian.

The pair locked horns early in the race and battled it out right to the flag. Chili had been showing a wheel on the inside of the last turn for several laps, as if practicing for a final-lap pass. But Hodgson was wise to Chili’s plan and took such a tight line through the final turn that Chili had no choice but to close the throttle, losing the drive out of the corner and the drag race to the line.

An incident in the first turn on the first lap saw Gregorio Lavilla crash and clip James Toseland’s bike on the way down. Toseland had no choice but to take to the grass, getting back on the track in last place. The 22-year-old from Britain then put in an impressive charge, carving his way back up through the field, lapping faster than the leaders, and pulling himself up into third by the end of the race.

Toseland’s teammate Chris Walker had taken the holeshot but, suffering the effects of a big highside yesterday, was unable to hold off Regis Laconi, who snatched fourth from the plucky Walker.

It was another disaster for the Fogarty team–James Haydon crashed heavily, wrecking the bike, while Troy Corser finished back in 12th.

World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 28 laps, 41:29.894
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -0.556 second
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, -12.965 seconds
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, -16.965 seconds
5. Chris Walker, Ducati 998RS, -16.754 seconds
6. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -38.142 seconds
7. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -43.496 seconds
8. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -45.452 seconds
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -50.154 seconds
10. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, -52.218 seconds
11. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -65.353 seconds
12. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1,-71.643 seconds
13. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, -1 lap
14. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, -1 lap
15. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, -1 lap
16. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
17. Steinar Sundby Dag, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
18. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, DNF, -14 laps, crash
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, DNF, -18 laps
20. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, DNF, -19 laps
21. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, DNF, -24 laps
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, DNF, -27 laps
23. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNF, -28 laps, crash


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Haydon out of Germany race two

Foggy PETRONAS Racing rider James Haydon is unable to start the second race of round five of the World Superbike championship at Oschersleben, Germany, as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during the first race of the day James, starting from 24th on the grid, had moved into 15th place and had a 13th place finish in his sights, when this bike jumped out of gear at Triple, the fastest corner on the circuit. The Englishman walked away from the spectacular fall but, on the back of injuries sustained in a crash at Monza two weeks ago, was badly shaken and bruised, as well as suffering a sprained ankle and wrist.

He said: “I felt really comfortable until the bike jumped out of gear. I tried to jump off but hit the gravel at over 100mph There is no way I can ride this afternoon.”

Teammate Troy Corser brought the FP1 home in 12th place in a lonely ride for the Australian, in a race won for the ninth consecutive time by Neil Hodgson.