Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Tortoroglio back to winning ways

Last year, using Suzuki power, Walter Tortoroglio enjoyed several wins in the European Superstock Championship and finished the season in second. This year, using Honda power, Torto’s season hasn’t been nearly so impressive. But he got back to his winning ways at Oschersleben leading the race from start to finish.

Tortoroglio got the holeshot and soon built up a commanding lead as Koen Vleugels, Andy Notman, Vizziello and Nebal banged fairings in a pitched battle for second place. Vleugels eventually finished third, despite crashing out and causing the red flag to be waved to stop the race on lap 15. Vizziello was second on the track with Notman fourth, but Vizziello was later disqualified for an airbox rules violation.

Championship leader Vittorio Iannuzzo managed to race despite the broken leg and shoulder sustained in the horrific crash at Brands Hatch. He finished 6th to score 10 valuable Championship points and to keep his title hopes open. Romanelli, his Alstare Suzuki teammate, crashed out early in the race when Alfonsi dropped his DFX Ducati and skittled Romanelli’s Suzuki.

Iannuzzo now leads Vizziello by 116 points to 96. Tortoroglio is third with 90 points.

European Superstock Championship Oschersleben Race Result:

1. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda CBR900RR, 14 laps, 21:38.350
2. Koen Vleugels, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4.608 seconds
3. Andy Notman, Suzuki GSX-R1000. -4.794 seconds
4. Stefan Nebel, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4.859 seconds
5. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -10.308 seconds
6. Riccardo Chiarello, Ducati 998S, -11.926 seconds
7. Didier Vankeymeulen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12.584 seconds
8. Luke Quigley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12.741 seconds
9. Lorenzo Mauri, Yamaha YZF-R1, -15.773 seconds
10. Alessandro Brannetti, Honda CBR900RR, -20.779 seconds