Up at the lead and on the ninth lap Lavilla once more took the lead from Hodgson, only to be almost immediately displaced from the lead by the Ducati once more. By lap twelve Lavilla's Suzuki took the initiative and the lead once more, by a forceable move which caused Hodgson to go wide and allow Laconi and Chili to follow Lavilla past the championship leader.
Hodgson then had some distance to make back to those ahead, something he did achieve without too much problem, but getting back past the racers ahead was indeed presenting issue.
Lavilla and Laconi were embroiled in their own battle for glory and veteran Frankie Chili wasn't exactly making life easy for Hodgson. It looked as if the winning streak might be broken.
Entering the final lap, Hodgson was able to use the Ducati's power once more and emerged from the chicane in the lead, but immediately subject to a Lavilla onslaught. Hodgson kept his nerve but it was oh-so-close for so many corners on an action-rich final lap.
Race eight of 2003 did go to Hodgson, but it doesn't look like he will have it all his way for the rest of this season. Roll on Oschersleben!
Top ten
1. Neil Hodgson.
2. Gregorio Lavilla.
3. Pierfrancesco Chili.
4.
Regis Laconi.
5.
James Toseland.
6. Chris Walker.
7. Steve Martin.
8. Marco Borciani.
9. Vittorio Iannuzzo.
10. Lucio Pedercini.
