Bayliss wins race two to avenge raingods.

Troy Bayliss restored normality to proceedings in the World Superbike series by winning the second race of the afternoon at Silverstone.

Floored by inclement conditions in race one, where he fought back to claim fourth, the reigning world champion made no mistakes second time around to run with Colin Edwards at the front of the field from the start. Capitalising on an uncharacteristic error from the Texan in the second half of another rain-affected race, Bayliss went on to take an uncontested win and re-establish his points advantage over the Honda rider.

Edwards' race began in bizarre fashion, as he started the warm-up lap from pit-lane after attention to his bike, then crashed as he attempted to make up ground on the field and assume his second grid slot. Shaken by the incident, the race one winner made slow start before climbing through a handful of less-fancied runners to take the fight to Bayliss.

Ruben Xaus was among those the American passed, having made a lightning start to run at the front early on. Having struggled in race one, it was a surprise to see the lanky Spaniard so highly placed, but hew maintain his podium position to the end, even if he could not live with the pace of the front two.

Neil Hodgson tried to repeat his rostrum form of race one, but was forced to accept that his set-up was not in keeping with the showery conditions, and he dropped away as the track dried. In his stead came another British hero, in the shape of Chris Walker and the leading Kawasaki. The former GP rider, still suffering the effects of Bells Palsy, made no mistakes and fended off both Hodgson and Michael Rutter in the opening stages, then the second Renegade Ducati of Shane Byrne late on.

Byrne went on take his best ever WSBK finish in fifth, one place ahead of Hodgson, while Juan Borja also showed glimpses of old form by holding off Ben Bostrom for seventh. James Toseland came home ninth, one place ahead of Nori Haga who, like Hodgson, could not repeat the performance he showed in race one.

Frankie Chili could have featured among the top ten, but opted to make an early tyre change, while Rutter retired after falling at Brooklands and Steve Hislop - a front row starter - pulled out at the end of lap two. Mark Heckles, a surprise top six finisher in race one, also retired.

Stories and full results to follow...

Leading finishers - race two: Silverstone

1. Troy Bayliss Ducati
2. Colin Edwards Honda
3. Ruben Xaus Ducati
4. Chris Walker Kawasaki
5. Shane Byrne Ducati
6. Neil Hodgson Ducati
7. Juan Borja Ducati
8. Ben Bostrom Ducati
9. James Toseland Ducati
10. Noriyuki Haga Aprilia