GSX-R World Cup

A fine blend of skill, experience and determination proved the winning formula for Germany's Herman Kaufmann in today's GSX-R Cup Final races at Magny Cours.

The forty two year old German from Ismaning led both races into the final lap, but made his second and third places count for a winning overall points victory ahead of Britain's Steve Brogan. Oriol Fernandez from Spain tied on points for third place with Di Foggia of France, but his better second race place gave him the advantage.

A total of 28 Suzuki GSX-R riders from 15 countries around the world qualified for today's GSX-R Cup Final by competing in qualifying races in their home countries for a place on the start line of this unique event. The riders drew lots for their identically prepared GSX-R750 machines which are basically stock specification with Yoshimura exhaust and brake components, Michelin Pilot tires, Motul Oils, Sunstar Sprockets, NGK race plugs and RK race chain.

RACE 1 - 10 laps - Britain's Steve Brogan stormed away from sixth place on the grid to take the lead in the race to the first turn with French hopes Robert Di Foggia and Thomas Metro tucked in behind. Pole man Luca Conforti was out of luck, clashing with Japan's Koji Teramoto on the second lap, ending his pre-race hopes of victory. Germany's Herbert Kaufman made a steady start from third place on the grid and displaced Metro for third place on the third lap. Brogan, De Foggia and Kaufman started to make a break on the fourth place battle of Metro and Fernandez, taking the pace into the 1m49s. Kaufman pushed through to second on lap five, but the with less than a second covering the leading trio it was still anyone's race. Kaufman and Brogan swapped the lead going into the eighth lap, with Kaufman taking the advantage and holding it into the last lap. Brogan kept a safe distance as Kaufman outbraked himself half-way round the final lap and going into the penultimate corner, he dived inside to snatch the lead in sensational style, taking the flag just 0.224 seconds ahead of Kaufman and 0.663 seconds in front of Di Foggia. Fernandez took a safe fourth place after a mid-race battle with Metro.

RACE 1 RESULTS: 1 Brogan 20pts . 2 Kaufmann 17pts. 3 Di Foggia 15pts. 4 Fernandez 13pts. 5 Metro 11pts. 6 Caylor 10pts. 7. Nebel 9pts. 8 Mancuso 8pts. 9 Bugden 7pts. 10 Batey 6pts. 11 Tamitsuji 5pts. 12 Vleugels 4pts. 13 Kispataki 3pts. 14 Melone 2pts. 15 Eaton 1pt.

RACE 2 - 10 laps - Kaufmann and Fernandez both made better starts second time out and set about trying to pull a gap over Conforti, Brogan and Kennaugh. Conforti and Kennaugh were especially on a mission to prove their speed after both falling early in the first race and found their way round Fernandez as Brogan dropped back, having taken the best from his tyres in his first race win. Brogan re-passed Kennaugh briefly, but the South African was in a determined mood and quickly rejoined Kaufmann and Conforti in the three way battle for the lead with Fernandez holding a close forth. Into the final lap and Conforti made his move on Kaufmann, who knew from his pit board that both Conforti and Kennaugh were on his tail, but out of the overall reckoning. Without the need to take risks with two hard races on his tyres he settled for third place at the flag behind Conforti and Kennaugh to take the overall victory.

RACE 2 RESULTS:1 Conforti 20pts. 2 Kennaugh 17pts. 3 Kaufmann 15pts. 4 Fernandez 13pts. 5 Di Foggia 11pts. 6 Nebel 10pts. 7 Brogan 9pts. 8 Bugden 8pts. 9 Tamitsuji 7pts. 10 Mancuso 6pts. 11 Kispataki 5pts. 12 Vleugels 4pts. 13 Flueckiger 3pts. 14 Melone 2pts. 15 Caylor 1pt.

OVERALL POINTS: 1 Kaufmann 32pts. 2 Brogan 29pts. 3 Fernandez 26pts. 4 Di Foggia 26pts. 5 Conforti 20pts. 6 Nebel 19pts. 7 Kennaugh 17pts. 8 Bugden 15pts. 9 Mancuso 14pts. 10 Tamitsuji 12pts. 11 Caylor 11pts. 12 Metro 11pts. 13 Kispataki 8pts. 14 Vleugels 8pts. 15 Batey 6pts. 16 Melone 4pts. 17 Flueckiger 3pts. 18 Eaton 1pt.