Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards goes six for six

Colin Edwards led virtually from start to finish to clinch win number six in succession at Assen in the first WSB race today.

The Texan made it look easy, after passing Neil Hodgson at the end of lap two of the 16-lap race he simply took off and commanded the race from the front again. His win takes him up to 477 points, just 24 points down from Troy Bayliss, who finished the race in second place.

In the middle of the race Ruben Xaus seemed to move over to let his teammate Bayliss by at the final chicane. Bayliss took the gift and took off into third to catch and pass Nori Haga. Xaus, meanwhile, was unable to get past the Aprilia.

Early leader Hodgson was forced to retire with a machine problem, a disappointment for the Brit after he’d enjoyed a massive battle for the lead with Edwards in the opening stages.

Edwards’ win means he joins Troy Bayliss as the only rider ever to win six races on the trot in WSB. He must be wishing that Honda had given him the go-faster parts that arrived after Suzuka a little earlier in the season.

Assen World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 16 laps, 32:58.601
2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -3.606 seconds
3. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -5.351 seconds
4. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -7.741 seconds
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -16.262 seconds
6. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -19.592 seconds
7. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -21.882 seconds
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -22.166 seconds
9. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -36.474 seconds
10. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -44.127 seconds
11. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -46.636 seconds
12. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -64.516 seconds
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -65.036 seconds
14. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, -98.856 seconds
15. Jeronimo Vidal, Honda RC51, -111.113 seconds
16. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, -121.314 seconds
17. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -1 lap
18. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -3 laps, DNF
19. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -7 laps, DNF
20. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -9 laps, DNF
21. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -10 laps, DNF
22. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -10 laps, DNF
23. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -12 laps, DNF, mechanical

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Foret wins as Supersport race ends in the gravel

The World Supersport race in Assen was stopped after 11 of 16 laps after a massive pile up saw seven riders hit the dirt in the final turn. But Frenchman Fabien Foret was in the right place at the time of the accident, way out in front!

Foret took the win after he worked his way through the pack from a poor start. “I was too relaxed early in the race and when I saw other riders getting away I knew I had to get a move on,” said Foret after the race. Once he got himself into gear, Foret soon caught and passed Championship rival Katsuaki Fujiwara. Then he quickly closed the gap between himself and race leader Paolo Casoli. Foret didn’t cut Casoli any slack when he caught him, forcing his way past the Italian to take the race lead.

Iain MacPherson, riding the second Ten Kate Honda, was also on his way up the leader board. He also managed to find a way past Casoli to grab second place. Casoli snuck past MacPherson on the next lap, lap 12. But the result was taken back to the end of the 11th lap after the crash, handing second back to MacPherson. The finish line photo revealed that the result had gone MacPherson’s way by an incredibly narrow margin, only three thousandths of a second!

The big crash happened when Christian Kellner’s Yamaha went into meltdown. The crankshaft sheared and white-hot engine parts flew through the engine cases and took out the forward-mounted oil cooler. The leaking oil was quickly spread all over his tire and then onto the track. The subsequent mess brought down six other riders.

With bikes flying everywhere it was a miracle that no one was more seriously hurt. Kellner had a lucky escape, video footage of the incident showed a flying bike narrowly missing his head as he lay in the gravel. The latest update is that a Paramedic caught in the melee has suffered a compound fracture of the left leg. Werner Daemen broke his collarbone again and Kellner escaped with a dislocated shoulder blade and cuts and bruises. No other riders were seriously hurt.

Reigning champion Andrew Pitt tangled with Corradi in a separate incident, but neither rider was seriously hurt, although Pitt reported that he jarred his neck in the crash.

The result means that Foret leads Fujiwara, who eventually finished fifth, by 17 Championship points with Stephane Chambon 31 points adrift in third. The Championship will be decided at the last round in Imola between Foret and Fujiwara.


Assen World Supersport Race Results:

1. Fabien Foret, Honda CBR600, 11 laps, 23:37.444
2. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600, -0.406 second
3. Paolo Casoli, Yamaha YZF-R6, -0.409 second
4. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, -1.767 seconds
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, -3.977 seconds
6. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600, -9.697 seconds
7. James Whitham, Yamaha YZF-R6, -10.237 seconds
8. Jörg Teuchert, Yamaha YZF-R6, -10.653 seconds
9. Stéphane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, -10.720 seconds
10. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, -11.217 seconds
11. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600, -13.107 seconds
12. Robert Ulm, Yamaha YZF-R6, -15.787 seconds
13. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Ducati 748R, -17.532 seconds
14. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, -22.346 seconds
15. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600, -22.553 seconds
16. James Ellison, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -22.743 seconds
17. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, -31.739 seconds
18. Robert Frost, Yamaha YZF-R6, -32.784 seconds
19. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 748R, -33.053 seconds
20. Barry Veneman, Yamaha YZF-R6, -33.137 seconds
21. Stefano Cruciani, Yamaha YZF-R6, -33.627 seconds
22. Christer Lindholm, Yamaha YZF-R6, -34.499 seconds
23. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha YZF-R6, -34.645 seconds
24. Laurent Brian, Honda CBR600, -37.005 seconds
25. Harry Van Beek, Yamaha YZF-R6, -40.351 seconds
26. John McGuinness, Honda CBR600, -44.917 seconds
27. Claudio Cipriani, Yamaha YZF-R6, -55.362 seconds
28. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -5 laps, DNF
29. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600, -9 laps, DNF
30. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600, -11 laps, DNF


From Ten Kate Honda:

Two for Ten Kate Honda at home

The Ten Kate Honda world Supersport team celebrated a visit to their home track in fine style this afternoon by taking not only first, but also second place in the race.

It was a thrilling race that ended in spectacular style with a multiple pile up in the final chicane. Foret didn’t get the best of starts and was back in fifth in the early stages. But he powered his way to the front and was still up there when the race was stopped after 11 of the 16 laps.

“I was a little too relaxed in the early stages,” admitted Foret. “When I saw the leaders getting away I knew I had to get my head down and get into the front. The Pirelli tyres were excellent and my bike set up was perfect, a big thanks goes to WP Suspension and all the team for that!”

In his usual fully committed style Foret charged into the lead and a 17 point championship lead with just one round remaining.

His team mate Iain MacPherson finished second, a result that delighted the fiery Scot. “Obviously I’m really happy to finish second,” said Iain. “I think the Ten Kate Honda team showed the value of preparation here today, we’ve tested many times here and it showed today.”

Praise for both of his riders and the team’s many supporters came from Team Manager Ronald ten Kate, “I want to give my special thanks to all our team, riders and sponsors, they’ve all helped us to get this result. Today we saw the best of Foret, he showed that he has what it takes to be a champion. Now the championship will be decided at Imola and that’ll be one hell of a race!”



More, from Van Zon Honda TKR:

Promising weekend for Van Zon Honda TKR ends in disappointment

After watching Chris Vermeulen qualify in pole position, the Van Zon Honda TKR team could be forgiven for expecting more than they got from Sunday’s World Supersport race at Assen ­ which was absolutely nothing!

Chris was obviously looking forward to a great race, starting once again from the front of the grid. But before he’d managed to complete even one lap a technical problem forced him to retire and start a long and dejected walk back to the pit garage. It wasn’t the ending to Chris’s brilliant weekend that either the team or Chris had been looking forward to.

“I can’t really describe how upset I am at the moment,” said Vermeulen. “But that’s racing and I’ll just have to come back at Imola and do my best once more.”

Then, after 12 laps of another action packed Supersport race, the team had to sit in horror and witness a massive pile up at the final chicane, and one that featured their own rider Werner Daemen.

The incident started when Christian Kellner’s Yamaha went into melt down mode, blowing its motor in an absolutely spectacular fashion. Unfortunately oil poured onto his rear wheel, and all over the track. Kellner crashed hard and soon another six riders had joined him in what looked like a very ugly incident.

Fortunately no one was seriously hurt, but unfortunately one of the crashers was Werner. He fell heavily on his already injured right shoulder.

“I thought I had re-broken it,” said Werner after the race. “But it seems I’ve just pulled muscles and ligaments again. I’ll be fit for Imola though.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:54.700
2. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:55.620
3. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:55.798
4. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:56.220
5. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:56.234
6. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:56.338
7. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:57.069
8. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:57.399
9. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:57.504
10. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:57.519
11. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:58.569
12. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:59.656
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 2:00.174
14. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 2:00.777
15. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 2:02.604
16. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2:02.722
17. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 2:02.902
18. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 2:03.417
19. Daijiro Kato, Honda RC211V, 2:03.797
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 3:00.306

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Race Results:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 53:58.901, 26 laps
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, -0.684 second
3. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, -7.342 seconds
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, -23.576 seconds
5. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, -49.234 seconds
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, -60.628 seconds
7. Leon Haslam, Honda, -96.634 seconds
8. David Checa, Aprilia, -99.550 seconds
9. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, -132.740 seconds
10. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -1 lap
11. Raul Jara, Aprilia, -1 lap
12. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, -1 lap
13. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -3 laps
14. Gregory Lefort, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF
15. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, -4 laps, DNF
16. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -5 laps, DNF
17. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -6 laps, DNF
18. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, -7 laps, DNF
19. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, -9 laps, DNF
20. Jay Vincent, Honda, -9 laps, DNF

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Iannuzzo rides to a championship win

Vitorio Iannuzzo took the sensible route to a European Superstock championship in Assen today.

With British wild card rider Micheal Laverty disappearing into the distance in the lead, and with nearest championship rival Walter Tortoroglio stuck back in eleventh place, Iannuzzo had the championship in the bag, as long as he stayed on.

When the fight for second got really hot in the last few laps Iannuzzo wisely backed off and settled for sixth place and a total of 127 championship points compared to Torto’s 95, enough to secure the title with only one round and 25 points left.

In front of him Steve Brogan, Andi Notman, Gianluca Vizziello and Lorenzo Alfonsi scrapped hard over the last two steps on the podium. Notman won the battle for second with Brogan right on his shoulder as the gaggle of bikes crossed the line.

Laverty finished the race 5.4 seconds ahead, but he had been almost ten seconds ahead, that’s a year in Eurostock terms, and showed off to the crowd with a stand-up wheelie over the line.

European Superstock Race Results:

1. Michael Laverty, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 11 laps, 23:45.382
2. Andy Notman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5.459 seconds
3. Steve Brogan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5.815 seconds
4. Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha YZF-R1, -5.917 seconds
5. Lorenzo Alfonsi, Ducati 998S, -6.241 seconds
6. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -7.156 seconds
7. Didier Vankeymeulen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -7.187 seconds
8. Riccardo Chiarello, Ducati 998S, -14.611 seconds
9. Giacomo Romanelli, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -15.122 seconds
10. Lorenzo Mauri, Yamaha YZF-R1, -18.264 seconds

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards grabs the championship lead in Superbike thriller

America’s Colin Edwards took his seventh consecutive win in WSB at Assen and, as an extra bonus, the championship lead!

Edwards was handed the title top slot by a hapless Troy Bayliss who threw the title lead away in De Strubben hairpin, the same place he crashed in Saturday’s warm up!

And there was joy for Frankie Chili, who took second place after a great race on his privateer Ducati. The win will lift the spirits of his struggling NCR Ducati team.

Another privateer enjoying the victory champagne was Britain’s James Toseland who scored his first-ever World Superbike podium with a well-deserved third place. His teammate Neil Hodgson ended in fourth place after a mid-race tussle with Nori Haga put them both in the dirt. Luckily neither rider actually fell and both rejoined the race. Haga finished up sixth behind Ben Bostrom.

Chris Walker, who will partner Toseland in the HM Plant Ducati team next season. Finished seventh, a great result considering that a stone thrown up by Toseland’s bike in the morning warm up punctured his left foot, leaving it badly bleeding and sore for both races.


Assen World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 16 laps, 32:59.881
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -7.506 seconds
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -11.042 seconds
4. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -18.090 seconds
5. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -23.695 seconds
6. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -24.256 seconds
7. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -25.886 seconds
8. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -41.184 seconds
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -50.057 seconds
10. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -56.054 seconds
11. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -58.092 seconds
12. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -62.334 seconds
13. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -64.968 seconds
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -65.482 seconds
15. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -73.524 seconds
16. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, -94.430 seconds
17. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, -116.078 seconds
18. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -7 laps, DNF
19. Jeronimo Vidal, Honda RC51, -9 laps, DNF
20. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -10 laps, DNF
21. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11 laps, DNF
22. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -15 laps, DNF


World Superbike Championship Point Standings:

1. Edwards, 502 points
2. Bayliss, 501 points
3. Hodgson, 302 points
4. Haga, 254 points
5. Bostrom, 248 points
6. Xaus, 217 points
7. Toseland, 175 points
8. Chili, 158 points
9. Walker, 143 points
10. Lavilla, 113 points


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Ducati Corse Press
Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) second in race 1, crashes out in race 2 and loses championship lead to Edwards.

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) lost his championship lead to Colin Edwards (Honda) after crashing out of an action-packed race 2 at the Assen TT Circuit in the Netherlands. The Australian, who had already seen his points lead reduced to 24 after claiming the runner-up slot behind his Texan rival in race 1, had an identical crash at the De Strubben left-hander to the one during yesterday’s afternoon practice session to DNF race 2, which saw victory again go to Edwards. With the final round remaining at Imola and 50 points to race for, Edwards and Bayliss are now separated by just one point.

“In race 1, the first few laps were worse than the last few because I was a bit unsettled and couldn’t get into a rhythm,” declared Troy. “I was much happier at the end and enjoyed myself in the final few laps. I had a few problems getting past Ruben, Nori and Neil early on and made a few little mistakes in the later stage but I’m pretty happy with the result. Right at the end I hit the brakes hard and my bike got into a bit of a shake and I ran out wide onto the marbles.

“I had exactly the same highside crash as yesterday, only smaller,” added Troy after race 2. “I was catching Chili and I was going to have him, but the rear of the bike just went away from me. The whole weekend we’ve been struggling and the bike just hasn’t felt the same. Now I’ve got to go out and do it all at Imola. I’m pretty mad with myself for the crash, but what can you do? I have to admit I’d rather be in front of Colin at this point though.”

After finishing fourth in race 1, Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) also had a disappointing second race. His gearshift pedal broke on lap 2 and he came into the pits, but he was then black-flagged as his Ducati 998 had been pulled into the garage for repairs. “Fourth place is OK; the bike was running quite good, but when Troy was behind me I had no options to win, so one position here or there would have made no difference. In the second race I started quite well but the pedal on the gearshift broke and there was nothing I could do but come into the pits.”

Two difficult races also for Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M), who finished eighth and fifth on one of his least favourite tracks. “The first race was a struggle but while I was out there I was thinking of how to make improvements for race 2. I was riding on the limit and nearly crashed three times so I don’t want that to happen again. In the second race things were not much better. In the early laps I couldn’t even pass Walker or flick the bike into the corner without it spinning away from me. Then when Haga passed me on lap 13, I followed him for a bit to set him up for the final lap and then eventually got him on the sweeping left-hander.”


More, from a press release issued by Benelli:

Encouraging progress for Benelli Sport at Assen

Benelli Sport enjoyed a promising weekend at Assen this weekend, with Peter Goddard riding the Benelli Tornado to its best-ever World Superbike championship finish.

“We used the weekend to try out some new settings, and I also tried a different construction rear tyre,” explained Goddard. “It seems to have worked because we got 12th in race one and then 11th in race two. What’s more I did my fastest lap of the weekend on the final lap of the second race!”

The team made a lot of changes for the second race, different tyres, a change of rear spring and some other tweaks to help Goddard in his battle with the other World Superbike regulars.

The team now have three weeks to prepare for the final round in Imola, Italy.

In an amazing turnaround, championship leader Troy Bayliss crashed out of race two and handed the title lead to race winner Colin Edwards.


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

Toseland takes to the podium!

James Toseland fulfilled his goal and climbed onto his first ever World Superbike rostrum after taking third place in a spectacular and dramatic second race at the Assen TT circuit. His HM Plant Ducati team-mate Neil Hodgson finished in fourth place after being punted off the track by Noriyuki Haga as the pair battled for second spot. Championship leader Troy Bayliss crashed out of contention mid-way through proceedings, leaving race winner Colin Edwards one point clear at the top of the overall points table.

Toseland’s achievement was a remarkable one, regardless of the incredible sequence of events that led up to him crossing the line ahead of all but two riders. The 21-year-old Yorkshireman fully deserved his maiden Superbike podium finish after riding a swift and consistent race that saw him keep his head when all around were losing theirs.

“I’m still in shock,” said an emotional Toseland. “It’s absolutely incredible. Words just can’t describe the feeling. I was really happy with my first race performance but this just blows it all away. I admit that I got a bit lucky in the race, but I wanted to get on the podium so bad this season and I’ve put in a hell of a lot of hard work, so I reckon I deserve this. Bayliss crashed in front of me and when Haga took Neil out, I wasn’t sure where it left me. When I saw P3 on my pit board I just couldn’t believe it. My family have supported me through thick and thin and this one’s for them!”

Despite being immensely pleased for his team-mate, Neil Hodgson could not mask his anger and frustration at the Aprilia rider who ruined his chances of guaranteeing his overall position of third in the world rankings.

“I’m glad it was James that profited from my misfortune,” said the 28-year-old Isle of Man resident. “He’s worked really hard to get on the rostrum and he thoroughly deserved the result – the boy done good.

“For me however, it’s just been one of those days,” he conceded. “To go out of the first race was bad enough, but then to have Haga trash my chances in the second was unbelievable. I could kind of deal with the first episode because it was a freak occurrence and no-one could have seen it coming, but I wasn’t too amused or surprised when Haga shunted me off the track. He’d been far too close for far too long and I knew that it was just a matter of time before something bad happened. He smacked straight into the back of me and really I was lucky to stay on. I had second place in the bag until I got taken out, but I suppose fourth isn’t too bad when I could easily have been in hospital. On the bright side however, my championship position is pretty secure and there’s another 50 points up for grabs at Imola.”



More, from a press release issued by Honda:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

EDWARDS BLASTS TO ASSEN DOUBLE AND TITLE LEAD

Honda’s on-form Colin Edwards won both races of Sunday’s 12th round of the World Superbike championship at Assen in Holland on a dramatic day at the famous venue.

The win double–Edwards’ record-breaking sixth and seventh wins in succession–also gave the battling Texan a one-point lead in the championship after rival Troy Bayliss crashed out of the second race of the day.

Edwards won pole position in exciting fashion on Saturday running wide in the final chicane and through the gravel trap on his Superpole lap – and Sunday’s action continued to be dramatic at the Dutch event.

He took victory in the opening race after being fourth on the first lap, passing Bayliss and Noriyuki Haga by the end of the lap. Edwards took the lead on lap two from Neil Hodgson and the Texan eased into a six-second lead by the halfway point in the 16-lap affair.

Bayliss battled from fourth and took the runner-up position with five laps to go, crossing the finish line 3.6s behind SP-2 rider Edwards. Aprilia’s Haga took his seventh podium finish of the year with third place.

Edwards said: “I always felt I could win but that opening lap was a little bit tougher than I would have liked. I knew that once I was in front I could make the break and I was always kept in touch with Troy’s progress in fact I had just about every detail except the lunch menu on my pit signal board!”

He added: “I couldn’t fault the machine at all, it ran perfect and despite a bit of trouble with tyre selection yesterday Michelin came up with the goods.”

Ducati’s Ruben Xaus was a lonely fourth after holding second place until the sixth lap. Pier-Francesco Chili edged out youngster James Toseland for fifth place.

Edwards kept his championship chances on course with a start to finish victory in race two as the drama unfolded behind him on the biggest day yet of the 2002 championship.

Bayliss made an attempt to pass Hodgson for second place at the final chicane on the third lap but ran wide and into the gravel trap, retuning to the track in fifth place.

The championship took another twist as Haga ran into the back of Hodgson on the ninth lap and the pair ran off the track handing Bayliss third place behind Edwards and Chili.

Then, a handful of corners later, Bayliss crashed out of the race at the slow, left-hand hairpin. That left Chili in a comfortable second place and promoted Ducati youngster James Toseland to third his first ever podium finish in the World Superbike championship.

Edwards’ victory, the 29th of his career, gave him a one-point championship lead with one round, at Imola in Italy on September 29 remaining.

“I wanted to win both races today like I’ve never wanted wins,” admitted Edwards. “We didn’t have the best two days of qualifying we’ve ever had but it all came together sweet in the races. When I got the signal to say Troy (Bayliss) was out of the race I just got my head down and concentrated on the chequered flag. Troy’s been riding really well this year but at the moment I think I’m riding that little bit better.”

Edwards concluded: “I suppose you could never have predicted what’s happened today but it’s made for a great finale at Imola in three weeks and I can’t wait, I wish it was tomorrow.”

Hodgson returned to the circuit to take fourth place while Ben Bostrom improved on his first race eighth place to take fifth with Haga also retuning to the circuit for a sixth-placed finish.

Honda’s spectacular Fabien Foret won an incident-packed race in round 11 of the World Supersport championship at Assen to take a 17-point lead into the final round at Imola in three weeks.

Frenchman Foret rode a calculated race for his fourth victory of the year, in a race stopped on the 12th of the scheduled 16 laps due to a multiple crash at the final chicane.

Christian Kellner’s Yamaha engine broke and the German left a trail of oil on the circuit, consequently causing five riders to crash. All six riders escaped serious injury but one of the marshals suffered a broken leg.

Foret now needs eighth place in the final race in Italy to secure the world title for his Ten Kate Honda team, he commented: “It’s going to be a very nervous final round but I’m confident of a strong finish at Imola. I’ll go there to win but if I have to take eighth place I’ll take it.”

Foret also led a Ten Kate 1-2 as the CBR600-powered Dutch team cheered Iain MacPherson across the finish line in second place at their home round.

“I was a bit battered and bruised after a crash but I really felt there was a good chance for me to get on the podium today so I tried my hardest once I was running with the front group,” said MacPherson.

Last week’s German race winner Paolo Casoli completed the podium in third place with hard-charging Australian Kevin Curtain fourth. Foret’s nearest challenger in the title chase, Katsuaki Fujiwara, took fifth with Honda’s Karl Muggeridge sixth.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 24 laps, 49:05.3000
2. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, -0.867 second
3. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, -2.600 seconds
4. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, -48.520 seconds
5. Masao Azuma, Aprilia, -57.972 seconds
6. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, -70.035 seconds
7. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, -74.682 seconds
8. Mika Kallio, Honda, -87.994 seconds
9. Thomas Luthi, Honda, -99.443 seconds
10. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, -110.519 seconds

16. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, -4 laps, DNF

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki’s Michael Barnes set a new Formula USA and overall motorcycle lap record for Portland International Raceway with a 1:06.709 during Unlimited Superbike qualifying on his Pirelli-equipped, Tony Pogue-tuned GSX-R750.

Barnes’ lap time beat the old mark held by David Sadowski at 1:06.76, set on a Mike Velasco-tuned Honda CBR900RR Superbike at a 1996 Formula USA event. Velasco now works with the Hooters team and confirmed Barnes’ accomplishment. The record was also confirmed by Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA) Operations Manager Janice Logan.

On the day, Barnes set new Formula USA lap records for Buell Lightning, 600cc Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike, in addition to the overall lap record for PIR.

Barnes’ teammate Larry Pegram chipped away at the new Unlimited Superbike record time but came up just short with a 1:06.839 on his last lap. Pegram was then demoted from second to fifth on the grid when his GSX-R750 registered 145.5 horsepower in post-qualifying dyno tests, over the 145.0-horsepower class limit.

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree (1:07.463) was moved up from third to second by Pegram’s infraction.

14K The Movie’s Eric Wood (1:07.592) will start from the third grid spot, while KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee earned the last front row position with a 1:07.598.

The top six qualifiers were under Lee Acree’s 2001 Unlimited Superbike qualifying lap record of 1:07.755.

Unlimited Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:06.709
2. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:07.463
3. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:07.592
4. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:07.598
5. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:06.839
6. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:07.646
7. Michael Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:07.808
8. Brian Parriott, Honda CBR954RR, 1:08.076
9. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:08.355
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:08.362
11. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:08.508
12. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:09.624
13. Josh Bryan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:09.735
14. Nick Ienatsch, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:10.226
15. Briggs Willoughby, 1:11.465
16. Michael Fitzpatrick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:11.756
17. Donald Beck, 1:14.350
18. Tyler Scott, 1:15.472