Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 16 laps, 33:07.249
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03
3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02
5. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02
6. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1
7. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS
8. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
9. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS
10. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR
11. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS
13. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1
14. Gianmaria Liverani, Yamaha YZF-R1
15. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS
16. Robert Menzen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
17. Paul Mooijman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
18. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, -7 laps, DNF
19. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -8 laps
20. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, -8 laps
21. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12 laps, DNF
22. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:03.081


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

Hard fought fourth for Toseland

Today’s first Superbike World Championship race at Assen went according to plan for Fila Ducati’s Neil Hodgson, whose second place netted him the 2003 Superbike World Championship title. HM Plant Ducati’s James Toseland rode superbly to finish in fourth place, while his team mate Chris Walker, whose participation in today’s races was in doubt due to a heavy crash in yesterday’s practice session, finished a creditable fifth place.

Despite a flying start from the second row of the grid straight up to second place behind Neil Hodgson, Walker soon dropped back as Lavilla, Xaus and Chili forced their way through. However, the Nottingham rider soon composed himself and tagged behind the leading pack of riders while his team mate, James Toseland was closing fast behind, lapping consistently faster than the leading riders.

As the fitter of the two riders (due to Walker’s injury) Toseland found a way past his team mate just before half race distance and began to hunt down Frankie Chili and move into the top three. He did this with just three laps to go and managed to run with the pace of the two factory Ducati riders in front of him until the very last lap, when Chili forced his way through and secured the remaining podium slot.

“I made a terrible start to the race,” said Toseland, “but managed to ride well once I got going. My race set-up was perfect and I was able to run consistently fast laps. I was riding tactically for third place and when Frankie Chili got past me fair and square, I still thought I had a lap to go, but it wasn’t the case and I had to settle for fourth place. I’m looking forward to the next race though – all I need to do is get a good start and I should be on for a podium finish.”

Chris Walker’s fifth place finish is all the more impressive considering the beating he took during yesterday’s practice crash: “I made an absolutely brilliant start to slot in right behind Neil and the adrenaline kept me going during the early laps. However, when the pace was upped, I just couldn’t go with it. I saw Lavilla and Laconi go out and knew that I had to think about improving my championship position, so I didn’t take any unnecessary risks. I’ll have a good rest before race two and then try the best I can. I’ve got the HM Plant Ducati working well – the rest is up to me.”


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

Corser an excellent sixth for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Assen

Troy Corser finished the first race of round ten of the World Superbike championship in an excellent sixth place after a thrilling final lap at Assen.

With Foggy PETRONAS Racing team-mate James Haydon ruled out with a hand injury sustained in yesterday’s crash, Troy was in eighth place going into the final lap of the opening race, won by Ruben Xaus and in which Neil Hodgson clinched the world championship.

But he overtook Kawasaki rider Ivan Clementi at turn one and then disposed of wild card Leon Haslam at the second chicane to clinch his best finish on the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike – since the second round in Australia.

Troy said: “That’s what I thought we were capable of going into this round so I am happy for myself and glad to give the whole team a lift. I knew I had a big gap behind me and that I didn’t have to push too early. So I sat there in eighth and saved the tyres a little bit. With two laps to go I upped the pace and, when Clementi missed a gear in the final chicane of the penultimate lap I was able to out-draught him down the straight and take him going into turn one. Then I got right on the back of Leon and, coming out of the hairpin, I knew I was quicker than him through the second chicane.

“The bike ran consistently thoughout the race and the temperature stayed consistent. My Michelin tyres were also good, sliding a little but, again, consistently. I won’t want to change anything with the chassis for race two.”