Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

World Championship Road Race Series Round 14: Australian Grand Prix had started badly, and got stuck among the top V-twins - hard to pass because of their corner speed. The best of these was that of Australian rider Anthony West, who stuck with the factory Honda even after he was passed, finishing three tenths behind. Abe came through to 13th, just passing Aoki's V-twin on the last lap. Deposed champion Roberts was another nine seconds away after a dismal race to close off his dismal title defense. Like Criville, he blamed getting stuck among the V -twins at the start. "It was pretty dangerous, and I was just trying to stay upright," he said. Then he started suffering vibration and grip problems, and suspecting imminent tire failure he opted for a safe single-point finish, holding off Carlos Checa narrowly - the Spaniard was also stricken by mystery grip problems. Apart from McCoy, the only other retirement was Jose Cardoso, who pulled into the pits, only to collide with a Gauloises team mechanic. It looked like a worrying replay of a crash that cost Nobuyuki Wakai his life in Spain in 1993, but fortunately both emerged without serious injuries. So the title has been decided, in much the same way as was expected, and with two races to spare. Rossi's lead is unassailable - 275 points to Biaggi's 203. Second place is still in dispute, however, with Capirossi on 179. Barros has 160 points, Nakano 135. 2S0cc GRAND PRIX The race started promisingly, with Nieto charging from third to first on the second corner, and holding the lead for two laps. Even before the first one, Katoh had pushed his way into second, with Harada, McWilliams, Rolfo and Locatelli on his tail. Then another flip - Harada took second at the final slow corner, MG, and then easily passed Nieto down the straight to lead. • That was enough to get Katoh going. He too had no trouble passing Anthony West had his y-twln Honda ahead of quite af_of the factory yfours, including the two fonner 500ecWorid Champions pictured, AIel( Criville (28) and Kenny Roberts Jr., and factory Yamaha rider Carlos Checa. Crlvllle eventually got by West to finish 11th. Nieto, and he was in the lead by the end of lap four. At this time, there were still seven riders within two seconds, Alzamora catching on the rear of the gang. This would not last. Instead, Katoh immediately started piling up the distance, taking three or four tenths out of Harada every lap, while the Aprilia rider did the same thing to the pursuit. Katoh was in heaven. "After last weekend, I was very frustrated [he had been knocked down and out by Melandri). Today, I just felt in perfect condition. I'm very happy with the win, which takes me one step closer to my main target the title." Harada looked typically dour after the race, with good reason. "I chose a hard tire that worked well yesterday, but today it was impossible to be competitive," he said. "The race pace was quite slow. n __ !IS Things are getting more and more difficult, but I don't give up." As usual this year, the race was rather featureless - especially after a first-lap pile-up eliminated four runners. It was triggered by French Aprilia rider Randy de Puniet, and David Checa (Honda), Seb Porto (Yamaha) and Franco Battaini (Aprilia) were unable to avoid the accumulating wreckage, and also fell, luckily without injury. (Left) Rossi's team, Including Jerry Burgess (in forground), show Rossi his final pit board of the season that means anything, Pi, for World Champion. (Right) "The Doctor" brings it home after winning his ninth race of the year, and after becoming only the second rider In history to have won the 125cc, 250cc,and 500ec World Championships - Phil Read completed his sweep when he won the 500cc title back In 1974 riding an MY Agusta. McWilliams held fourth until lap six, when he succumbed to Rolfo, who said later: "I had set-up problems until the morning of the race, but today my bike was excellent." Three laps later, he was past Nieto as well, and moved gradually away for an excellent if lonely third. With 10 laps left, Locatelli ran wide, and dropped off the back of the group battling for fourth. At the same time, McWilliams - also battling a

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