Rain results in West Honda Pons whitewash.

The West Honda Pons team of Alex Barros and Loris Capirossi scored a magnificent first and second in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, winner Barros surviving the carnage to take overall victory in a nail-biting race, held over two legs because of rain.

Barros rode an intelligent 16 lap second leg to keep his time advantage over Capirossi in the race actually won Japanese Honda rider Haruchika Aoki, riding the Honda twin-cylinder machine in the appalling conditions! Barros finished second in the second leg to win overall by over eight seconds from his team-mate Capirossi with Max Biaggi, riding the Yamaha, in third place overall.

"I dedicate this victory to all the people around me," said a delighted Barros. "They are the real winners. I started in a confident mood and did not feel any pressure. The race was difficult because of the two legs and the weather conditions but I was able to know exactly what I had to do in that second race to keep my overall advantage. It was really exciting to be on the podium with Loris, From now on, everything will be different."

"Alex rode an extraordinary race and he was certainly the rightful winner," stated Capirossi sportingly. "It was a very hard race and I was disappointed when we stopped after seven laps because of the rain. The second race was very dangerous and I so nearly crashed at the same place as Valentino but I just stayed on and I'm so happy to finish second. I dedicate our victory to the team who worked so wonderfully well under such difficult conditions. Of course I wanted to win the Italian Grand Prix for the second year running but it was an incredible experience to be on the rostrum with Alex."

Championship leader Valentino Rossi finished third in the first race which was won by Biaggi with Barros second before the rain started to fall on the dry track and the race was stopped after seven laps, when the leaders pulled-up. Rossi then crashed on the sighting lap of the second 16 lap leg in the pouring rain. He raced back to the pits on the back of a scooter and went out on his second machine. He was down in 12th place at the end of the first lap but gradually fought his way back through the spray and had just passed Capirossi on the last lap when he crashed in front of the West Honda Pons rider who almost fell at the very same place on the slippery surface.

Capirossi stayed on his machine and finished fourth in the race, behind former World Champion Alex Criville, which was enough for him to hold onto second place overall, just under half a second in front of Biaggi, who was surprised to finish third after two big moments in the rain.

The conditions in the second race caused World Champion Kenny Roberts to crash out of fourth place after leading for five laps. He'd finished fifth in the first and was in contention for a podium finish before the crash. Norick Abe led the second race for three laps before he crashed, as did British Superbike star Chris Walker.

When the second race ended, the rain stopped the sun returned to Mugello where Team Owner Sito Pons celebrated with Barros and Capirossi a famous double victory for the West Honda Pons team