From a press release issued by series organizers:

WEBSTER ON CLOUD ‘NINE’ AT MAGNY-COURS

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead clinched the 2003 World Superside championship following a sixth place finish in the final round at Magny-Cours in France.

The British pairing needed just one point to win their second title together [their first was in 2000] and they duly obliged. “Plan A was to get off to a good, clean start – which we didn’t do – and then plan B was to make sure we finished inside the top 15,” said Webster who won a record ninth world title.

Webster got off to a disastrous start, falling back to 10th place as rivals Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer took the holeshot. The Austrian pairing were, however, passed by eventual winners, Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson on lap two.

The British-German duo clinched their third win of the campaign to finish the season in third place overall. “In the end it was quite easy. We had no problems and I am very pleased for the team,” said Steinhausen.

Second place went to reigning world champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs. “We went on a bit of a charge and pulled the lead pack back one at a time. I am well happy with that,” said Abbott, who finished the season in fourth place.

As to Klaffenböck and Parzer, the Austrians needed a win to stand any chance of upsetting the Webster-Woodhead celebrations but had to settle for a podium third place. “We tried but it was too hard. We are happy with second overall given the tough season that we have had,” said Klaffenböck.

Webster added: “I still get nervous and I guess that played a part in the start. I would like to thank Castrol Suzuki and everyone who helped us. They know who they are!”

Superside world championship result (18 laps-79.398km/49.624miles):
1 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 32:48.255
2 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) -7.261
3 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) -12.502
4 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) -12.996
5 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) -32.570
6 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) -53.316
7 Renaud Dernoncourt, France (Suzuki) -56.686
8 Mike Roscher, Germany (Suzuki) -62.680
9 Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) -63.004
10 Jean-Noël Minguet, France (Suzuki) -63.504

Championship points after 10 of 10 rounds:
1 Webster 197
2 Klaffenböck 178
3 Steinhausen 161
4 Abbott 111
5 Van Gils 101
6 Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) 89
7 Philp 80
8 Roscher 76
9 Gatt 50
10 Jock Skene, GB (Suzuki) 46