Colin Edwards may have emerged triumphant over
Troy Bayliss in yesterday's thrilling finale to the 2002 season, but such was the display of racing skill and sportsmanship seen at Imola that there was only one real winner: World Superbikes.
WSBK and bike fans worldwide were treated to a glimpse of what motorsport could – and should - be as Edwards and Bayliss battled tooth and nail to the last lap of the last race of the season, with the world crown at stake – all in stark contrast to the
Ferrari formation seen just hours later at Indianapolis which confirmed that
F1 fans are destined to remember 2002 for being one of the dullest seasons, in terms of racing, ever.
The relentless race two battle was described later by Edwards as “as tough as a race gets,” while Bayliss expressed the thoughts of many by adding: “It's been a great year as far as the racing and the championship goes and I think between Colin and me we just about summed the season up in that last race.”
Edwards looks set to stay in World Superbikes next year – almost certainly on a works Ducati – while Bayliss will make the switch to
MotoGP, meaning that Sunday may well have been the last chance to see the ‘Texas Tornado' and the ‘Wonder from Down Under' do battle – but the performance they produced in their last encounter won't be forgotten in a hurry…
