Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc GP Race Results:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 27 laps, 42:58.011
2. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, -0.269 second
3. Anthony West, Aprilia, -2.558 seconds
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -2.933 seconds
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, -2.934 seconds
6. Sebastian Porto, Honda, -25.030 seconds
7. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -27.663 seconds
8. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, -31.591 seconds
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -50.348 seconds
10. Alex Debon, Honda, -53.337 seconds
11. Jay Vincent, Aprilia, -58.098 seconds
12. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, -60.050 seconds
13. Chas Davies, Aprilia, -60.250 seconds
14. Jakub Smrz, Honda, -70.355 seconds
15. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, -71.666 seconds

19. Katja Poensgen, Honda, -1 lap
20. Joan Olive, Aprilia, -8 laps, DNF, crash
21. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, -8 laps, DNF, mechanical

23. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, -19 laps, DNF, mechanical

27. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, -26 laps, DNF, crash


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia Team Press Information:

A WORTHY SECOND POSITION

Manuel Poggiali achieved a worthy second place behind Fonsi Nieto and maintaining the lead of the standing. Now Poggiali has got 15 points of advantage from Nieto. The race was very hard fought with three riders in the head group fighting for the victory: Elias, Poggiali and Nieto who took the lead of the race during the 20th lap. But Manuel kept on pushing hard in order to overtake the Spanish rider. But Fonsi was too determined and the San Marino rider got the second position. Moreover Manuel achieved the fastest lap today.

Manuel Poggiali: “My race has not been perfect because of the mistakes made in the practices. The three crashes got off to much time and the chassis setting of my bike was not at 100%: I had problems in the rear above all. In these conditions I was unable to do better that’s why I feel satisfied about my second position. My half-season has been very positive and I did not expect to lead the standing. Anyway my objective is not the world title but the experience. I still need to learn many things on different circuits that I have never tested with a 250 bike like Donington. Now I am the reference rider for this class but I just want to improve my riding avoiding any stupid mistake. The team is helping me and I want to thank Aprilia for this great opportunity. Congratulations to Nieto: he was very fast today”.