From a press release issued by Suzuki:

FANTASTIC FOUR WINS SUZUKI GSX-R WORLD CUP

Suzuki GSX-R Cup Final, Race Two Result, Magny Cours, France, September 14th:

OLIVIER FOUR won the second dramatic GSX-R Cup race and took the overall Suzuki GSX-R World Cup title for himself and France at Magny Cours today.

Four, 25, who won the first race yesterday by a convincing margin, only took the lead with one-lap to go when his Italian rival Giuseppe Fiorillo out-braked himself going on to the start finish straight.

“That was harder than yesterday,” said Four, the reserve rider for the Suzuki Endurance Race Team which will take part in the Bol d’Or 24-hour Masters of Endurance event later in the day. “As long as I finished in front of Giuseppe Fiorillo, I knew I could win the title. Giuseppe came past me with a lap to go and then made a mistake which let me back in front. I then rode defensively. I am very proud to win this event at my home track and in front of my home crowd. It is a good result for Suzuki France as well.”

Fiorillo, 32, was gutted to have finished in runners-up position. He said: “Coming to the last lap, I went down one gear too many while braking for the last corner and the bike had a big slide. I am disappointed not to win, but pleased to take second spot in the event for Italy.”

It was Fiorillo’s team mate Luca Conforti who led for most of the race. But he was knocked off his bike in yesterday’s race and was out of contention for the title. With just over one-lap to go, he let his team mate pass into the lead and then watched in despair as he made a mistake and Four went on to win.

“I had no chance for the overall victory, so I pulled over for Giuseppe with a lap to go. He made a mistake and Four won the race,” said Conforti, 27. “I could have won the race easily today. I led for the first eight-laps and my tyres were good, but I rode for my team. Maybe next-time I will win both races.”

It was between the USA’s Jason DiSalvo and the UK’s Steve Brogan for the final spot on the overall podium which is made up from the combined results of both races. DiSalvo, 18, took the fastest lap of the race and fought his way from 11th to fourth in 10-laps to edge the Englishman. DiSalvo said: “I got the hole-shot and then I went backwards to 11th. My tyres took a while to heat up but then when I got my act together, I got the fastest lap. It’s good to be on the overall podium for the USA.”

American Kevin Schwantz, the 1993 500cc World Grand Prix Champion and the 1988 winner of the Daytona 200 on a Suzuki GSX-R750, took the top three riders overall on two parade laps of the circuit after the second race. He sees a bright future for the GSX-R Cup.

Schwantz said: “I rode in the Transatlantic series in the ’80s, but it always ended up more of Britain versus America. The GSX-R Cup allows teams from all around the world to compete and everybody stands a chance of winning. It is a better mix and it makes for really exciting racing.”

Suzuki is hoping to organise another GSX-R Cup Final in 2003 after the success of this year’s event.

Race Two Result:
1: Olivier Four (France) 17:42.262
2: Giuseppe Fiorillo (Italy) +0.448
3: Luca Conforti (Italy) +1.550
4: Jason DiSalvo (USA) +3.419
5: S Charlton (Australia) +4.160
6: John Dugan (USA) +4.566
7: Steve Brogan (UK) +5.781
8: S Jond (France) +8.220
9: KH Henemann (Germany) +8.530
10: L Pini (Italy) +9.736
11: F Heidger (Germany) +12.609
12: Brian Livengood (USA) +16.926
13: J Tangre (France) +18.318
14: RDV Molen (Netherlands) +30.425
15: J Hurtado (Spain) +30.704
16: J Matrtensen (Germany) +36.897
17: RK Valderhaug (Norway) +38.441
18: Zenon Nelson (Canada) +40.870
19: Tim Easton (Canada) +41.670
20: G Roelens (Belgium) +45.991
21: C Pfeifer (Austria) +56.951.


Final Points Standings: 1: Four 40
2: Fiorillo 34
3: DiSalvo 26
4: Brogan 24
5: Dugan 21
6: Jond 17
7: Hennemann 17
8: Conforti 15
9: Charlton 13
10: Heidger 11
11: Livengood 8
12: Hurtado 8
13: J Kirkham (UK) 8
14: Pini 7
15: Tangre 6
16: T Fluckiger (Switzerland) 5
17: Molen 2.


More, from a press release issued by DiSalvo’s team:

TEAM AMERICA GRAND PRIX RACING
PRESS INFORMATION

THIRD PLACE FOR DISALVO IN SUZUKI WORLD CUP

Team America’s Jason DiSalvo emerged with a pair of fourth-place finishes to take an impressive third overall on aggregate in the Suzuki GSX-R World Cup Final at Magny Cours in France this weekend.

Spurred on by former World Champion Kevin Schwantz and in front of 80,000 fans, the 18-year-old from Batavia, New York overcame a strong international challenge to follow up his fourth-place finish in Friday’s first leg with a similar result in Saturday’s leg two to take the final rostrum position on combined points.

In the opening race, DiSalvo overcame a race stoppage before the UK’s Steve Brogan narrowly beat him after the pair enjoyed a race long battle and it took Brogan to set the fastest lap of the race – 1:44.910 – to claim the last spot on the podium.

But it wasn’t easy for third-place-qualifier DiSalvo who, despite getting a good start in the second race also, faded back in the early stages as he fought to get heat into the road-based tires but as soon as they were up to temperature, he started charging through the field going from 11th to fourth place.

“I realized that in Europe that they don’t use a white flag to indicate the final lap and I thought there was more laps to go! The tires took some time to heat up but as soon as I got going, I could pick up the pace again. To finish top American rider and beating some top Europeans is great for me,” said Jason.

Team Owner Jim DiSalvo was equally happy with the result:
“We’ve spent a lot of time in Europe and to gain this result is very satisfying. Jason rode well and to beat the likes of Steve Brogan who is a top rider in the UK is even more pleasing.”