BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Rivals share the spoils

World Superbikes champion Troy Bayliss did not have things all his own way at Laguna Seca in California on Sunday.

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Bayliss, who won the first race of the two races, has been virtually invincible this season.

But the Australian hurt his back in a fall during practice and he had to share the spoils with Colin Edwards as the American claimed victory in the second race.

Burnley-born Neil Hodgson, on an HM Plant Ducati, was a battling third.

Colin Edwards celebrates victory
Edwards gave the home fans something to cheer

American Eric Bostrom made a superb start in race two and moved ahead of pole-sitter Edwards.

But the Castrol Honda rider slipped past on the inside on lap four to regain the advantage.

After swapping positions with Hodgson, Bayliss then took Bostrom for second before Hodgson followed suit to set up a thrilling battle over the final laps.

Bayliss made a slight error to allow Hodgson into second with just three laps to go before the pair swapped positions several times on the final lap.

Bayliss clung on to claim second as Edwards clinched a memorable home victory.

Hodgson's team-mate James Toseland, from Sheffield, finished sixth and Fuchs Kawasaki rider Chris Walker took eighth.

Bayliss victory

In race one Edwards made a perfect start from pole position, pulling clear of Bayliss.

Having bided his time for several laps, Bayliss swooped with an out-braking move on Edwards into the first corner on the 21st lap.

The home favourite instantly snatched the lead back but a slight mistake from Edwards gave Bayliss the chance to take the lead for a second time.

The Australian edged past but had to see off a determined attack from team-mate Ruben Xaus before settling into a rhythm at the front.

Hodgson was a disappointing fifth while team-mate Toseland finished ninth and Walker came home 11th.

Edwards admitted Bayliss' pace had caused him problems.

"I thought we had a good package today and everything was going as planned but we weren't able to hold the pace we thought we could," said Edwards.

Race one:

1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 40min 18.943sec
2. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 40:19.282
3. Colin Edwards (US) Honda 40:20.994
4. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 40:21.531
5. Neil Hodgson (GB) Ducati 40:23.047
6. Eric Bostrom (US) Kawasaki 40:30.677
7. Aaron Yates (US) Suzuki 40:36.604
8. Ben Bostrom (US) Ducati 40:42.695
9. James Toseland (GB) Ducati 40:45.380
10. Mathew Mladin (Aus) Suzuki 40:49.142

Race two:

1. Edwards 40:14.793
2. Bayliss 40:15.879
3. Hodgson 40:16.465
4. Eric Bostrom 40:19.836
5. Ben Bostrom 40:26.636
6. Toseland 40:40.540
7. Pierfrancesco Chili (Ita) Ducati 40:41.365
8. Yates 40:45.027
9. Doug Chandler (US) Ducati 40:54.137
10. Chris Walker (GB) Kawasaki 41:02.466

World championship standings:

1. Bayliss 405
2. Edwards 352
3. Hodgson 221
4. Ben Bostrom 184
5. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Aprilia 182
6. Xaus 172
7. Toseland 124
8. Walker 108
9. Chili 90
10. Gregorio Lavilla (Spa) Suzuki 84


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