Colin Edwards kept his slim hopes of winning the World Superbikes Championship alive with a pair of victories at Brands Hatch.

Edwards moved within 39 points of championship leader Troy Bayliss by doing the double at the British circuit.

Edwards finished over two seconds clear of Bayliss in the second race of the day, with Britain's Neil Hodgson in third place.

Hodgson got off to another good start to leave Bayliss and Edwards trailing.

But Edwards again showed his extra quickness and once he hit the front he looked unstoppable.

Bayliss set a new fastest time on lap five and overtook Hodgson on the Paddock Hill bend.

But American Edwards gradually pulled away from Bayliss and the real fight was for second place.

Urged on by 130,000 fans, Hodgson battled Bayliss all the way and although he briefly went back into second the Australian proved too strong.

Edwards too tough

Edwards also dominated the opening race of the day and finished 1.173secs ahead of home favourite Hodgson.

Bayliss, who suffered a cracked rib in qualifying, had to settle for third place.

Hodgson began on pole and was able to hold onto the lead after the first bend.

Bayliss also made a good start and moved from fourth place into second position on the opening lap.

But it was not long before Edwards was on the move as he overtook Bayliss and put severe pressure on Hodgson.

On lap three Edwards overtook Hodgson to go into the lead and he headed away from his young rival.

Despite a late burst from Hodgson, the British rider ran out of laps and had to settle for second spot.

Bayliss was unable to make much impression on the front pair and came home over 10 seconds behind Edwards.

Despite Edwards' dominance, Bayliss took the plaudits for his bravery.

"I'm getting sick of battling with Troy, he's injured and he's still in fine form," Hodgson said.

Edwards echoed his comments, saying: "What a guy. I had already got a lot of respect for him, but to come out and do what he did just shows he's an iron man."

It was only the second time this season that Bayliss has failed to record a victory.

But with just three rounds remaining in the championship, the 33-year-old was content to have been able to get some points on the board.

"I've got a month off now," he said. "I felt good on Saturday then had the crash and didn't think I'd be able to do much here.

"I'm pretty happy with second...sort of. The team has worked really hard all weekend."

1. Colin Edwards (USA) Honda 36min 27.555sec
2. Neil Hodgson (GB) Ducati +1.173
3. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati +10.327
4. Noriyuki Haga (Jap) Aprilia +22.243
5. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati +22.483
6. Chris Walker (GB) Kawasaki +26.496
7. Ben Bostrom (USA) Ducati +26.535
8. Pierfrancesco Chili (Ita) Ducati +26.788
9. James Toseland (GB) Ducati +32.322
10. Shane Byrne (GB) Ducati +32.634

Race Two:

1 Edwards 36 minutes 27.655 seconds
2 Bayliss at 2.326
3 Hodgson 2.748
4 Bostrom 13.130
5 Haga 13.272
6 Xaus 13.293
7 Chili 14.964
8 Walker 21.924
9 Michael Rutter (GB) Ducati 24.708
10 Shane Byrne (GB) Ducati 29.830