Magny Cours, Oct 22: Season champion Neil Hodgson takes first race at the world superbike championship in France but falls in the second won by Spaniard Ruben Xau. Briton Neil Hodgson got second position on the grid in his Ducati and went on to dominate the first race from start to finish, in the final leg of the world superbike season, on Sunday (October 19), at the French circuit of Magny Cours. Spain's David Garcia and Alex Gramigni of France skidded off the track in a packed first bend and did not manage to complete the 23-lap race. Garcia lasted only two laps and Gramigni retired in the 18th. James Toseland of Great Britain and Rubens Xaus of Spain, both riding Ducati, challenged Hodgson early on. Briton James Haydon was another casualty, falling off his Petronas bike and abandoning the contest.


Toseland stayed briefly in front on lap two but Hodgson recovered to lead all the way to the chequred flag. With the current world champion well in front, the focus turned to the battle for the other podium positions. Toseland lost second place to Xaus and was overtaken after by Brtiain's Chris Walker, who finished third. Toseland had to settle for fifth, behind Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla.

Bureau Report