“That was a tough race,” he said, “Congratulations to everyone who is on the podium as it was very easy to make a mistake out there. There were some back markers and at the end I was able to force my way passed some of them and I think that made a difference to Haga and Corser as I got away a bit.”
Noriyuki Haga followed him home in the murky conditions to secure second place and a healthy twenty points haul. “For me race two would be better if only ten laps!” joked a very cold Haga, “During race I had problem with my hand as it was so cold. It was a tough race and really difficult to see with the spray. The bike was working good and I will do my best in race two.”
The last step of the podium went to his team-mate
Troy Corser on the second Yamaha Italia machine. “To be honest it was real tricky out there. I got a good start so I was able to see for a while. The water really sticks to your visor especially on the slow corners; you need some speed to get it to clear,” he said.
The weather conditions were taking their toil and Corser who felt he was further into the race as he explained, “The first time I looked at my lap board there were fourteen laps to go and I thought there should only be about five! Maybe they will reduce the race distance for the second race. Conditions like this can work for or against you and there were three or four of us that were faster than everyone else so it would have been the same result. I'm happy with the bike, it is working well and his is the first time I've ridden it in full wet conditions.”
Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's
James Toseland had been running in fourth place when he high sided on the second lap. He was able to restart and finish eighth salvaging eight points for his championship. With Haga on the podium and Toseland not, it has closed up the Championship, Haga is now just twenty three points away from Toseland's lead. Toseland was unhurt in the crash but he had to complete the race with a heavily damaged bike so he did a good job to nurse it home.
