By Glenn LeSanto


Pierfrancesco Chili snatched the win in race two at Donington to rob local hero Neil Hodgson of a double World Superbike victory.

It was the first World Superbike win of the year for a four-cylinder 750cc machine; all the other races have been won by 1000cc V-Twins.

Hodgson led for much of the race, having passed early leader Colin Edwards. It looked like Hodgson would repeat his performance in race one and run away with another victory. But Chili and Aprilia rider Troy Corser had other plans and, with some determined riding that saw Chili set the fastest lap of the race, the pair caught Hodgson in the closing stages of the race.

Hodgson managed to hold them at bay for several laps but Chili kept piling on the pressure. With Corser dropping back the scene was set for a last-lap thriller after Chili snatched the lead on the penultimate lap. Hodgson tried everything to get back in front, but Chili was a match for him and held his nerve. Even braking very late into the final bend failed to faze Chili who blasted across the line just a fraction ahead of Hodgson to claim his first win of the season.

While Hodgson was obviously disappointed not to have made the double he can console himself with by far his best result of the season.


American Ben Bostrom finished fourth with a fading Edwards sixth.

At the top of the championship points table the gap was closed by Corser’s third place, as championship leader Troy Bayliss came home a lowly ninth. Bayliss still leads the title race with 160 points but Corser has closed the gap and is now 17 points down on 143 points. Edwards remains third in the title chase with 141 points and Chili is fourth with 119.


Donington Park
World Superbike
Second race results

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 39:30.374

2. Neil Hodgson, GB, Ducati, 39:30.499

3. Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 39:30.930

4. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 39:37.788

5. John Reynolds, GB, Ducati, 39:39.742

6. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 39:42.092

7. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, 39:42.246

8. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 39:43.427

9. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 39:46.910

10. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 39:48.611


World Superbike Championship points after six of 13 rounds:

1. Bayliss, 160

2. Corser, 143

3. Edwards, 141

4. Chili, 119

5. Hodgson, 103

6. Bostrom, 97

7. Yanagawa, 89

8. Lavilla, 77

9. Laconi, 63

10. Chambon, 61


Manufacturers points:
1. Ducati, 218
2. Honda, 187
3. Aprilia, 162
4. Kawasaki, 142
5. Suzuki, 131
6. Yamaha, 20

Next round: Lausitzring, Germany – June 10