By Glenn LeSanto

Paolo Casoli ran away with the race win at Donington Park to extend his lead in the World Supersport Championship. The Italian led from the start and was soon several seconds ahead of the pack on his Belgarda Yamaha. Casoli was blissfully unaware of the mayhem behind him that was the battle for second place. Australian Karl Muggeridge eventually won that battle, which saw riders banging fairings in mid-corner in an all-out effort to make it to the podium.

While Casoli romped away with the lead, James Whitham, his Belgarda Yamaha teammate, fought tooth-and-nail with Muggeridge on his Suzuki, reigning Supersport Champion Jorg Teuchert and Muggeridge’s teammate Katsuaki Fujiwara. Whitham, who was struggling for grip towards the end of the race, lost out as Teuchert and Muggeridge managed to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The pair clashed in the final corner as they fought for the best drive onto the start finish straight. Muggeridge got the advantage, and second place as the pair powered out of the final corner.

Paolo Casoli’s victory was especially welcome as his closest rivals in the title hunt all finished lower down the order, allowing the Italian to take a commanding points lead as they prepare for the next round in Germany on June 10. Casoli now has 83 points and Muggeridge has jumped from sixth to second in the table with 57 points. Kevin Curtain stays in third place with fellow Australian Andy Pitt in fourth, both with 56 points. Pole sitter Vitto Guareschi retired early in the race with tire problems.

Donington Park, UK
World Supersport Championship Race Result
1. Paolo Casoli, Italy, Yamaha, 37:30.193
2. Karl Muggeridge, Australia, Suzuki, 37:38.778
3.Jorg Teuchert, Germany, Yamaha, 37:38.923
4. James Whitham, GB, Yamaha, 37:39.001
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan, Suzuki, 37:39.259
6. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Italy, Yamaha, 37:40.289
7. Karl Harris, GB, Suzuki, 37:43.606
8. Kevin Curtain, Australia, Honda, 37:43.866
9. Fabrizio Pirovano, Italy, Suzuki, 37:44.599
10. Andrew Pitt, Australia, Kawasaki, 37:45.024.


Championship points after five of 11 rounds:
1. Casoli, 83
2. Muggeridge ,57
3. Curtain and Pitt, 56

5. Teuchert ,54
6. Pere Riba, Spain, Honda, 53
7. Bontempi, 39
8. Whitham, 38
9. Pirovano, 31
10. Vittoriano Guareschi, Italy, Ducati, 30

Manufacturers points:
1. Yamaha, 104
2. Honda, 76
3. Suzuki, 61
4. Kawasaki, 56
5. Ducati, 30.

Next round: Lausitzring, Germany – June 10