Chili wows home crowd in race one at Monza.

Monza's favourite two wheeled son, Pierfrancesco Chili delighted his passionate fans with a nail biting win at Monza.

Frankie Chili hunted down early race leader Colin Edwards mercilessly in round nine of the World Superbike championship at Monza, recovering from a poor start to take the lead on the very final turn of the 18 lap race.

Pole sitter Edwards blasted away from the start and within 4 laps had opened up a two second lead over his nearest pursuers, Chili, Akira Yanagawa, an inspired Troy Bayliss, Aaron Slight, Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser. However Chili pulled clear from the titanic battle that was developing behind him and chipped into the Texan's lead. The pair were together by lap 12 (of 18) thanks to a series of stunning lap times by the Suzuki rider.

The final laps were like a game of chess, neither rider wanting to lead in a typical Monza slipstreaming battle. Chili led for a while when Edwards missed his breaking point at the Rettifilio chicane. However going into the final lap Edwards led with Chili stuck to his exhaust pipes. Frankie bided his time and remained in the Honda's slipstream before darting down the inside at the Parabolica. Both riders made a sprint for the finish line , Chili weaving madly to try and break the tow. The margin of victory was just 28 thousandths of a second.

Akira Yanagawa managed to fend off Bayliss and Slight for third in a race long battle while Corser faded to eighth and championship leader Haga retired.