Guintoli wins his first for his team and himself
An incredible first race, eventually run over nine fully wet laps, was won by Sylvain Guintoli from Team Effenbert - Liberty Ducati. This was his first ever victory in this category of racing. His margin of advantage was 2.6 seconds, from a very determined rookie rider Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) and his team-mate Carlos Checa.
Their fight for the podium places was just one of many highlights in the wet race, after the first attempted contest had started out dry, but was halted when several leading riders fell as the rains came down. By regulation a whole new race was declared and the only influence the first leg finishing order had was to determine grid places for the 'real' second race.
In fourth place in an all Aprilia racing battle, Max Biaggi beat Eugene Laverty. Early leader Leon Haslam fell and no-scored.
