(DUCATI FILA)  Tag-Team "Double Victory" AT SILVERSTONE 

Winners podium race 2

DOUBLE WIN FOR HODGSON & TWO PODIUM FINISHES FOR XAUS

Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) displayed the soul of determination winning two of the hardest fought victories on record. Thus creating one of the greatest days in Ducati’s history. Hodgson notched up another double for the 2003 season. Watching this was more like a double sudden death over time in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

Neil turning pushing his Ducati for another victory

This year the British Round of the World Superbike Championship was in front of a record-breaking 83,000 spectators at Silverstone. Silverstone has always been the scene of some of the most dramatic superbike battles ever witnessed, this years "combat" raised the bar for hard fought racing to a new high.

The hounds after the fox

Neil clinched his tenth win of the year by the slimmest of margins in an astonishing race 1. Battling the two Suzukis of Lavilla and Kagayama, team-mate Ruben Xaus, Laconi (NCR Ducati) and Toseland (HM Plant Ducati). “It was an unbelievable race, Lavilla’s and Kagayama’s lines were incredible” commented Neil.

Victory lap

 “It was really tough out there because the lap times were slow, people were fighting for the next corner and just not getting on with the race. I battled and touched fairings with just about everybody!”

Winners podium race 1

Race 2 saw more of the same as Neil had to work his way up from 9th on the first lap. He moved into the lead on lap 10 but then had to contend with Lavilla (Suzuki) for the remaining ten laps before taking the chequered flag for his second win of the day and his eleventh of the year.

The Ducati Squadron in action

“It’s not good to be on pole here at Silverstone; I got an average start and everyone came underneath me. I tried to pick one rider off each lap and keep my eye on the leaders. Luckily JR and Ruben collided because they were going to be difficult to pass. It’s been a fantastic day for Ducati and I’d like to dedicate these wins in Britain to David Jefferies, my close friend who was tragically killed in the Isle of Man TT”.

I have never Neil seen work harder to win

Ruben Xaus rode a superb race 1, which saw him take the lead at one point. The Spanish rider inherited the final podium place when Lavilla crashed out ahead of him at the chicane but kept a cool head in the last few laps to finish third. “We worked hard all the weekend since Friday and during the race I just took things nice and calm” declared Ruben. “I knew the wild cards weren’t going to be able to last the race in these conditions. I was just passing and passing until I got the lead. Although I finished fourth, I’m really happy to be on the podium again”.

Spiderman "Xaus" is back in classic form

Ruben again stepped onto the podium in race 2 with another gritty ride to third after recovering from a clash with Reynolds (Suzuki) which sent the Spaniard careering across the gravel trap. “I moved really fast in the early laps to fourth, Reynolds was third and we touched. I went across the grass and tried to get back on the track again, I was giving it gas and the slicks were spinning so much. Then I recovered and my lap times were really good. I nearly caught Gregorio at the end, but I’m happy with third and it’s nice to have two Spanish riders on the podium, there are too many British guys up here!”

Xaus fighting his way to the podium

RACE 1: 1. Hodgson (Ducati Fila); 2. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati); 3. Xaus (Ducati Fila); 4. Laconi (NCR Ducati); 5. Kagayama (Suzuki); 6. Reynolds (Suzuki); etc.         RACE 2: 1. Hodgson; 2. Lavilla (Suzuki); 3. Xaus; 4. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati); 5. Kagayama; 6. Laconi.

Taking time to give "fans" some apperication

POINTS: Riders – 1. Hodgson 295; 2. Toseland 165; 3. Xaus 158; 4. Laconi 145; 5. Lavilla 131; 6. Walker 110; etc. Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 300; 2. Suzuki 158; 3. Petronas 52; 4. Kawasaki 51; 5. Yamaha 40; 5. Honda 21.

WE are so very glad to see Ruben Xaus's return to the victory podium in such dramatic style. Riding with such confidence and determination. Niel Hodgson appears to be starting a new winning streak and his winning percentage is better than Michael Schumachers in F-1!!

Because Ducati's historic "First" Moto GP victory occurred on the same day we chose to make sure that coverage historic event got to our readers first. Thanks again to our friends at Ducati for allowing us to share these great race stories with our readers world wide.