Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Superb racing at Silverstone World Superbike

Real World Superbike racing returned with a vengeance this afternoon for race one at the Silverstone round of the World Superbike championship. Neil Hodgson won the race, his 10th this season, but only after a race-long battle.

Yukio Kagayama, riding the Rizla Suzuki as a wildcard, took the lead from holeshotter Hodgson and led the race for several nail-biting laps. Gregorio Lavilla, riding the Alstare factory Suzuki took over on lap five. This marked the start of a titanic battle that saw two Suzukis in the front four, not a normal sight recently!

Kagayama started to fade and slipped back through the pack, leaving Lavilla to fly the Suzuki flag. But Lavilla made a mistake in the ultra-tight new chicane, losing the front end on the brakes in the middle of the flip-flop turn. This left the race clear for the Ducatis but also let James Toseland through to take up the fight with Hodgson.

The pair took it to the line, but a mistake in the final chicane ensured that Hodgson was just clear enough at the line for win number 10 in 2003. Ruben Xaus kept it the right side up for third after just avoiding Toseland in the final chicane when the Brit made his mistake. The result means Toseland retains his second position in the title race with 152 points to Xaus’ 142. Hodgson is way out in front with 270 championship points.


World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 20 laps, 38:24.187
2. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, -0.540 second
3. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, -0.699 second
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, -0.943 second
5. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4.879 seconds
6. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5.085 seconds
7. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -5.942 seconds
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998F02, -6.371 seconds
9. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, -7.329 seconds
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -14.399 seconds
11. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -29.260 seconds
12. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, -33.387 seconds
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -35.266 seconds
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -35.628 seconds
15. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, -36.388 seconds
16. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, -54.366 seconds
17. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -57.282 seconds
18. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps, DNF
19. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8 laps, DNF
20. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, -9 laps, DNF
21. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998F02, -17 laps, DNF

23. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -19 laps, DNF
24. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -19 laps, DNF

Fastest lap: Lavilla 1:54.105


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Toseland second in race of the year

James Toseland finished a superb second to former GSE Racing team-mate and championship leader Neil Hodgson at the end of 20 scintillating laps at Silverstone. Toseland and current HM Plant Ducati team-mate Chris Walker joined a superb battle for the lead between ten riders for the first race at the sixth round of the Superbike World Championship.

Walker made one of his customary fast starts and held station in third position at the end of the first lap. Toseland was only ninth at this stage, but he began a charge through the field and made it up to second by lap 15. The snake of Superbike riders drafted its way around the British GP circuit in spectacular style with numerous overtaking and out-braking manoeuvres making it the undisputed race of the year.

Toseland looked particularly fast through the stadium section and this is where he was planning to make his last lap move on Hodgson. “There were some places where the HM Plant Ducati was faster, but Neil had the edge in other sections of the track,” said the 22-year-old Sheffield rider after his third consecutive podium finish. “The last part of the circuit was where I thought I could do it. I tried very hard through the last chicane, but I got a knock from someone and that was it – I had to settle for second.

“I really enjoyed the race. It was so close, even though I got off to a bad start. I’m not sure what happened, but once I settled down I regained my composure and was able to assess the pace at the front. Fortunately, I was able to hold my position and make steady progress through the field. My set-up was good and the Dunlop tyres lasted the distance well. I hope to be dicing for the lead again in race two.”

Walker held station in the middle of the pack until half distance, but then began to lose ground as a result of the hot pace at the front of the field. “I managed to get a good start and that helped me to get away with the leaders,” said the Nottingham rider. “I felt really good and was enjoying every second of what turned out to be one of the most exciting races of the season. I’m still not 100 per cent fit after my injuries sustained earlier in the season and at this level it makes a big difference over race distance.”


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

Corser draws a blank in Silverstone opener

Troy Corser endured a lonely battle from the back of the field after running onto the grass in the
first race of the sixth round of the World Superbike championship at Silverstone today. The Foggy PETRONAS Racing rider finished just out of the points in 16th, in a thrilling race won by
championship leader Neil Hodgson.

Troy said: “I lost the rear end coming out of the back kink and onto the first straight and ran wide. Maybe the left hand side of the tyre was a bit cold at that point but the rear Michelin worked well for the rest of the race. From then on I had to battle with front end chatter and the engine was still running hot.”