Laconi and Hodgson got through on Xaus to relegate the Spaniard to 5th. Edwards 6th.  Corser back in 9th, Parkes and Martin in 13th and 14th respectively.  Xaus was the fastest man on lap 2.  Next time around it was Edwards the fastest man.  Corser up to 7th.  Goddard had to retire with some problem.

Bayliss still in front but Laconi and Xaus right on his case.  Bostrom has been pushed back to 4th, Edwards 5th, Corser up to 6th, Antonello 7th.  Martin 12th, Parkes 14th, Craggill 19th.

Laconi underneath of Bayliss for the lead, Xaus also through but Bayliss under again at the next turn, then runs under Laconi too, then Xaus through on both of them, unbelievable rapid fire changes of lead.  

15 laps to run and Xaus in front from Laconi, Bayliss a couple of lengths behind in 3rd.  Bostrom still 4th, Edwards 5th, Okada 6th, Corser 7th.  Martin 11th, Parkes 14th, 17 Craggill.  Laconi nearly lost it but made an unbelievable save and did not lose position.

Lap 9 of 21 - Xaus, Laconi, Bayliss, Bostrom, Edwards, Okada, Corser, Antonello, Chambon, Chili, Martin, Toseland, Parkes, Pedercini.

Laconi through on Xaus on lap 12 after hounding the Spaniard for a number of laps. Chili pulls into the pits to retire. 

7 laps to run - Laconi, Xaus, Bayliss, Bostrom, Edwards, Corser, Okada.  Antonello retires with tyre problems.  Bayliss on a charge once again and right on the back of Xaus and Laconi, the new world champion down in to 1m49s and getting faster each lap.

Bayliss up into 2nd, relegating Xaus to 3rd and after Laconi, they are coming up on back markers now too so lets hope that doesn't spoil things.  3 laps to run.

Xaus through under Bayliss and right on the tail of Laconi, Bayliss back through a lap later but this has enabled Laconi to gain a bike length or two, Xaus through on Bayliss again.  Broc Parkes has retired for some reason.

Xaus through on Laconi, Bayliss follows him through but runs wide a couple of corners later which allows Laconi back through but Bayliss loses the rear end onto the main straight and Laconi could not avoid the ensuing carnage.  Both riders down very heavily but both guys can walk away which is the main thing, although it is likely that Bayliss has a broken collarbone by the bulge from his shoulder under his leathers.  (later confirmed - Bayliss has a broken collarbone and will not start race 2.)

Xaus free to have an easy run home now but still on it hard, Corser 2nd, Edwards 3rd.  Ducati privateer Steve Martin a fantastic 6th.

Race 1 - 1.Xaus 2.Corser 3.Edwards 4.Bostrom 5.Okada 6.Martin 7.Lavilla 8.Chambon 9.Pedercini 10.Hodgson 12.Craggill

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