Good day for Suzuki Alstare in Supersport.

Team Suzuki Alstare riders Stephane Chambon and Katsuaki Fujiwara had a steady day at Phillip Island, taking third and fourth places in the second round of the Supersport World Championship. But it could've been even better because Chambon was in second position after one lap and ready to pounce on leader Whitham (Yamaha), when he was forced to take avoiding action when Whitham crashed.

While this was going on, four riders went past Chambon and after that he had to mount a tremendous charge before he could challenge for a podium place. Two laps from the end, his persistence was rewarded, when Casoli crashed out while in the lead and he moved up to third spot behind Pitt (Kawasaki) and Bontempi (Ducati). Chambon's team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara was tenth at the end of the first lap, but he grittily fought his way through the pack and was hustling his team mate in the last couple of laps.

"I made a good start and was tucked in behind Whitham without any problem," said Stephane Chambon. "Then he fell at the slowest corner of the track and I had to take action to avoid him. Four riders went past me I think, and after that I had to play a lot of catch-up. Later in the race, Muggeridge's Honda blew up right near me and that was a bit of a distraction, to say the least - there was smoke everywhere! I am disappointed today because I didn't have a chance to fight with the leaders. All weekend we've had some small problems, but I was looking forward to race and getting a good result. If it hadn't been for Whitham's crash, I'm sure my result would've been better. But it's not so bad because at least I am jointly leading the championship."

"I made a good start from my low grid position and made the first corner OK," said Katsuaki Fujiwara. "After the Honda hairpin, I got messed up by Muggeridge and another rider and that caused me to lose some time. After that it was very hard to get anywhere near them. Today, the low down power of my bike didn't feel so strong and I found it hard to get the gas on strongly - especially in the early stages of the race. When the rear started to lose grip, I could drive a bit harder! I had a good battle with Steph towards the end of the race - it was great fun! I'm quite happy with today."

World Supersport Results:

1 Pitt (AUS-Kawasaki),
2 Bontempi (I-Ducati),
3 Chambon (F-Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra),
4 Fujiwara (J-Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra),
5 Teuchert (D-Yamaha),
6 Kellner (D-Yamaha),
7 Cogan (F-Honda),
8 MacPherson (GB-Honda),
9 Foret (F-Honda),
10 Corradi (I-Yamaha),

World Supersport Championship Points:

1 Pitt (AUS-Kawasaki) 36,
2 Chambon (F-Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra) 36,
3 Foret (F-Honda) 32,
4 Kellner (D-Yamaha) 26,
5 Bontempi (I-Ducati) 25,
6 Vermeulen (AUS-Honda) 18,
7 Corradi (Yamaha) 15,
8 Fujiwara (J-Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra) 13,
9 Teuchert (D-Yamaha) 11,
10 Whitham (GB-Yamaha), 10