Mission successful for HM Plant Ducati.

HM Plant Ducati completed a successful second season in the Superbike World Championship with Neil Hodgson and James Toseland finishing third and seventh respectively in the final points table. Hodgson had already clinched third in the first leg at Imola, but Toseland was forced to wait until the last race of the season.

Hodgson blasted off the front row of the grid and into the lead, only to overcook it into the first turn. Bayliss took the initiative, while the HM Plant Ducati rider made another mistake in the opening laps to allow Edwards and Xaus through. That left him with another race-long battle with Noriyuki Haga for fourth, this time losing out to the Japanese rider at the chequered flag.

"This was a more satisfactory race than the Imola event last year and a good way to finish the year," said Hodgson, who now moves on to race for Ducati Corse in 2003-04. "Third in the championship is a superb achievement for the HM Plant Ducati team and a fitting way for me to complete my fourth year at GSE Racing. I'm disappointed to be leaving the team, but would like to thank them for all their support and wish them every future success."

Team-mate Toseland continued to impress with his second sixth position on the day. Like the first race, he quickly made his way through in the opening laps and maintained station throughout the race to beat Frankie Chili in the battle for seventh position in the championship standings.

"I'm over the moon with the results today and the way in which I have improved this season," said the 21-year-old Sheffield rider. "None of it would have been possible without the HM Plant Ducati team with whom I am looking forward to racing again next season. With continued improvement and development, I'm sure that I can move on to the next step of the ladder next season."