Magny Cours, Oct 22: Race two provided plenty of surprises as Hodgson led the field after the start. Hayton had just recovered from the accident in the previous race but was involved in another crash, taken out at the fast Estoril corner by Kawasaki rider Ivan Clementi on the first lap.
Hodgson's immediate rivals were Toseland and Walker, who exchanged positions in the battle for second place but the ultimate threat came from Xaus. With a second place finish to his credit from race one, the Spaniard charged ahead and overtook Hodgson. The Briton fell in his pursuit to retake the lead, abandoning with two laps to go and leaving the track clear for Xaus, who claimed a well deserved victory. Tosseland crossed the line in second place, just ahead of Walker who completed the top three. Xaus exaggerated his celebrations and ended up suffering a surprising but harmless fall.
Hodgson, who already clinched the 2003 title, finished the season with 489 points, 98 ahead of Xaus with Toseland third on 271.


Race one selected results: 1. Neil Hodgson (Britain) Ducati 39 minutes 03.738 seconds 2. Ruben Xaus (Spain) Ducati 39.04.086 3. Chris Walker (Britain) Ducati 39.17.449 4. Greogrio Lavilla (Spain) Suzuki 39.17.688 5. James Toseland (Britain) Ducati 39.25.218 6. Regis Laconi (France) Ducati 39.36.158


Race two results: 1. Xaus 39.02.330 2. Toseland 39.12.765 3. Walker 39.12.912 4. Lavilla 39.24.583 5. Martin Steve (Britain) Ducati 39.37.894 6. Leon Haslam (Britain) Ducati 39.38.195


Overall standings (11 of 12 rounds) 1. Hodgson 489 points 2. Xaus 386 3. Toseland 271 4. Regis Laconi (France) Ducati 267 5. Lavilla 256 6. Walker 234


Bureau Report