Edwards clinches 2002 world title

Associated Press, Imola, Italy

American rider Colin Edwards stepped closer to the 2002 world title by beating defending champion Troy Bayliss in Sunday's Race One of the Italian Round, the closing event of the World Superbike Championship at the Imola circuit.

The 28-year-old Houston native edged his Australian rival by 0.514 seconds in the combined time after the 21-lap race was stopped and restarted following a spill of British rider Neil Hodgson.

Edwards stretched his championship lead over Bayliss to six points - 527 to 521 - ahead of Race Two, with 25 points at stake for the winner and 20 for the runnerup.

Edwards started from the pole position on his Japanese-made Honda and was leading Bayliss by 0.74 seconds when stewards waved the red flags to stop the race after 11 laps when Hodgson skidded on an oil spot and slipped off the track unhurt.

Edwards and Bayliss alternated in the lead as the race was restarted for the remaining 10 laps and the 33-year-old Australian crossed the finish line first, on a Ducati. However his lead too thin to snatch race victory from the Texan.

The thrilling duel between the two top championship riders excited fans at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola, the traditional site of the San Marino Formula One GP.

Spain's Ruben Xaus placed third, 8.6 seconds behind the winner and nearly 12 seconds ahead of Ducati's teammate Hodgson. The British rider placed fourth after he was allowed to restart in a spare bike, following his spill.

Japan's Noriyuki Haga came in fifth, on a Aprilia, 20.8 seconds behind Edwards.