BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Hislop's title wait is over

In the end, Steve Hislop did not need to win in the final round of the British Superbike Championship to reclaim the title in a dramatic pair of races at Donington Park.

Third and second placings were good enough for the Ducati rider to celebrate victory after his only rival for the crown, Sean Emmett, crashed out.

Emmett, the Virgin Mobile Aiwa Yamaha rider, needed to win both of the 20-lap races at the Leicestershire circuit to wipe out his 37-point deficit and beat Hislop to the title.

I've waited since 1995 to get my hands back on the title and this is just fantastic

Steve Hislop

But he high-sided out of the first race while leading, sustaining a broken left collarbone and wrist.

Hislop went into the races buoyed by his impressive qualifying round at the 2.5 mile circuit, during which he broke the pole-setting time of world MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.

He was quickly away at the start but suffered a lack of grip and was sliding in the early stages.

Emmett charged through the pack to grab the lead on the seventh lap, but his crash at the Esses two laps later forced Hislop to take evasive action.

"I nearly ran over Sean and had to swerve to miss him," Hislop said.

Hislop dropped back to third, adrift of both Michael Rutter and the outgoing champion John Reynolds.

Sean Emmett crashed out
He set a scorching pace in the final race, but Rutter, riding brilliantly on the Renegade Ducati, pegged him back.

Rutter went on to deny Hislop a celebratory lap by completing his second daily double race win, securing his eighth victory of the season by 0.1 seconds from the newly crowned champion.

"I had intended to take the title by winning the race, but third place will do," Hislop added.

"I made the perfect start, but once Sean had gone through, I decided that a top four finish would do, rather than taking unnecessary risks.

"It has been a long time coming.

"I've waited since the end of the 1995 season to get my hands back on the title and this is just fantastic.

"It has been a long haul, with its ups and downs. I've made hard work of it, in something of a roller-coaster year, but now I can enjoy having the number one plates again."

Final standings:
1. Steve Hislop 452pts
2. Michael Rutter 407
3. Sean Emmett 379
4. Shane Byrne 294.5
5. Steve Plater 286

Final manufacturers standings:
1. Ducati 605.5pts
2. Yamaha 348
3. Suzuki 326.5
4. Kawasaki 199.5
5. Honda 77.5

Results of the MCN British Superbike Championship, Donington Park:

Race 1 (20 laps): 1. Michael Rutter Ducati 31mins 23.476secs, 2. John Reynolds Suzuki at 1.952secs, 3. Steve Hislop Ducati at 7.562, 4. Glen Richards Kawasaki at 14.743, 5. Simon Crafar Yamaha at 18.858.

Race 2 (20 laps): 1. Michael Rutter Ducati 31mins 21.367secs, 2. Steve Hislop Ducati at 0.122, 3. Steve Plater Yamaha at 15.951, 4. Glen Richards Kawasaki at 16.115, 5. Shane Byrne Ducati at 16.327.


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