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