The final podium step went to Alstare Corona Extra's Max Biaggi who, like Corser had to work his way through the field from a very poor start. “Good result, I didn't expect it but I had good pace on the bike and the machine felt ok,” said the Italian, “I am a little surprised; I am now looking to the second race. I will make no changes of race two just new tyres.”
Off the line it was Bayliss that got the hole shot with Regis Laconi slotting into second place, however Toseland wasn't letting anyone get away from him and he soon took second spot.
Further back Corser was cutting his way through the field taking Fonsi Nieto and Lorenzo Lanzi on the opening lap.
Ruben Xaus was also making his presence felt by ousting Laconi from his third place. Corser continued his push and took Laconi putting him into fourth place behind Xaus.
At the front Bayliss was doing his best to check up but it wasn't happening as Toseland wasn't letting go. However disaster struck for the Ducati rider on lap five when he high sided out of the race.
Toseland now had a 2.892secc lead over second place man which was now Corser. They held this formation right to the flag. By lap seven Biaggi was starting to whittle down the competition dispensing with Lanzi and followed that up by taking Nieto. Lap ten he took Xaus and put himself onto the podium. Sadly for Xaus he crashed out at Craner with only two laps to go.
The rest of the Brits came home in fifteenth and eighteenth, with Ellison scoring a point for his fifteenth place. Zanotti recovered from his fast off during warm-up when he lost the front at Starkeys to finish eighteenth.
WSBK race (1) results – Donington Park:
1.
James Toseland
2.
Troy Corser
3. Max Biaggi
4.
Noriyuki Haga
5.
Lorenzo Lanzi
6.
Fonsi Nieto
7.
Regis Laconi
8. Max Neukirchner
9.
Roberto Rolfo
10. Jakub Smrz
