This promoted Corser, Fabrizio and Xaus to a podium battle, but it looked like the Yamaha man was beginning to struggle. He had a massive high-side in turn one with five to go - how the Aussie stayed on board is a miracle – but, in true Corser fashion, he gritted his teeth and changed his style a little to adjust to his rear tyre problems.
The problem allowed Fabrizio and Xaus to battle over the lower podium placings, but their fighting also allowed the gritty Corser back into play. He streaked past on the start straight and then managed to get away from the squabbling Ducati pair.
Fabrizio rammed his way past Xaus on the penultimate lap, making contact with the Spaniard's shoulder in the process, but it was too late for him to catch Corser, or for Xaus to retaliate.
Up front, Bayliss was utterly invincible. He was aping it up on the last lap, waving to the crowd and proving that, although the new Ducati is fast, it takes a special talent to get the most out of it. That talent is Bayliss, who increased his championship lead to 18 points over Xaus with a further race to go.
Second was Corser, a good ride after his tyre went off, ahead of the plucky Fabrizio – who required further attention to his battered ankle after the race – with Xaus and Nieto completing the top five, the Qatar winner coming good near the end.
The point scorers continued with the fading Checa and Neukirchner in sixth and seventh, then the clearly unfit Haga, with
Ryuichi Kiyonari gaining good points in ninth on the Ten Kate Honda.
Roby Rolfo rounded out the top ten in front of former British Superbike champ Gregorio Lavilla on the ‘07 spec Paul Bird Racing Fireblade, while Aussie
Karl Muggeridge, an off-form
Lorenzo Lanzi, the disappointing
Kenan Sofuoglu, who won in Supersport at the Island last year, and Shinichi Nakatomi on the Yamaha completing the scorers.
