By GORDON RITCHIE
PHOTOS BY GOLD £, GOOSE
II good things come to an end,
and the 2002 winning monopoly
exercised by reigning World Champion Troy Bayliss and his Infostrada
Ducati was finally terminated at
Sugo, after two 25-lap races, during
which the most dominant rider in
recent memory finally got derailed
from his position of deification.
The disastrous consequences of
last year were avoided, however,
partly because Bayliss rode as hard
as ever, but still for no appreciable
award by his own standards, taking a
distant fifth and a much closer fourth.
Another not so good run was terminated at Sugo, when Colin
Edwards took the first race win by a
non-Japanese rider since 1995, (Carl
Fogarty and Troy Corser took one
win apiece at that time). History was
made in one day, sure enough.
The races themselves were stupendously fast by previous standards,
underlining Edwards' assertion that
the championship is getting harder,
not easier, this season.
"I'm amazed at the pace this year,
everywhere we go," said the Texan.
"Today's races were about 20 seconds faster than last year's and it's
the same everywhere we go. It's credit to the series and to the tire manufacturers. In the first race, my rear
tire was worn out with about four laps
left, so when I found myself in third
chasing [Neil] Hodgson, I knew I'd
have to make my move before that
point of the second race. Once I was
in second, I tried to put one clean lap
together and catch [Makoto) Tamada
but he was gone, it was hopeless.
After that, I just started thinking
about blocking and protecting second
place. I'm happy with today and the
points I've scored, it's put us in good
shape for Monza in three weeks and
one of my favorite events."
Held in overcast and cool conditions, after practice was warm and
sunny, both Sugo races were almost
threatened with rain at one point, as
the undulating and tricky track and
its high altitude in the mountains
made a mockery of the sunny weather forecasts.
The cold weather may have played
havoc with some of the riders' tire
choices, but for once the Sugo track
appeared to favor both Michelin and
Dunlop runners equally - another
contributing factor to making
Edwards a potential winner. His offseason Sugo tests obviously paid off,
handsomely, as the Castrol Honda
boys remembered how to not just
smile but grin from ear to ear.
As if to prove the tire war was a
draw of sorts, even if it is being
played out at a very high level,
Edwards and his Castrol Honda took
the victory on his Michelins in a
cue' •
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MAY 1. 2002
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