GODDARD CRASHES AT IMOLA

Australia's works Benelli rider Peter Goddard crashed out of the 13th and final round of the World Superbike Championship motorcycle series at Imola today.

The 38-year-old from Wollongong crashed on lap five of the first of the two 21-lap races. He bruised his kidneys in the incident and did not ride in the second race.

Goddard finished his second successive season riding the three-cylinder Benelli Tornado 900 in 22nd position in the championship with 23 points. He scored points in nine of the 18 races he contested this year, with a best result of 11th in race two of round 12 at Assen in the Netherlands.

American Colin Edwards clinched the championship title by winning both races at Imola on a Castrol Honda. Australia's Troy Bayliss was second in the two races at Imola on an Infostrada Ducati and finished runner-up in the championship.

Goddard, who won the World Endurance Championship in 1997, expects to remain in Europe for another two weeks and is considering various riding options for next year. After returning home he said he would probably attend the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 20.

PETER GODDARD QUOTES: "I crashed after a bolt came loose in the engine and oil was sprayed all over the back wheel. As I braked into Turn One the back came around, I went sideways, and then it 'high-sided' me off. I landed quite heavily on my back. The doctors had a look at it and said my kidneys were bruised. They put ice on it to stop the inflammation, and we decided it would be best not to risk anything and miss the second race. It was a disappointing end to what has been a tough season. I've given 100-percent to the Benelli project in the last couple of seasons. I'm looking at some things for next year, and my aim is to get on a competitive bike."

RESULTS - RACE 1 (21 laps):
POS	RIDER	MOTORCYCLE	RACE TIME
1.	Colin Edwards (U.S.)	Castrol Honda	38:17.324
2.	Troy Bayliss (Australia)	Infostrada Ducati	38:17.838
3.	Ruben Xaus (Spain)	Infostrada Ducati	38:25.975
4.	Neil Hodgson (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	38:37.719
5.	Noriyuki Haga (Japan)	Playstation 2 Aprilia	38:38.137
6.	James Toseland (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	38:54.814
7.	Pierfrancesco Chili (Italy)	NCR Ducati	38:58.724
8.	Gregorio Lavilla (Spain)	Alstare Suzuki	39:00.125
9.	Broc Parkes (Australia)	NCR Ducati	39:00.320
10.	Ben Bostrom (U.S.)	L&M Ducati	39:06.705
OTHER:
DNF	Peter Goddard (Australia)	Benelli Sport Tornado	5 laps
FASTEST LAP:Edwards 1-min 48.717-secs

RESULTS - RACE 2 (21 laps):
POS	RIDER	MOTORCYCLE	RACE TIME
1.	Colin Edwards (U.S.)	Castrol Honda	38:13.128
2.	Troy Bayliss (GB)	Infostrada Ducati	38:14.108
3.	Ruben Xaus (Spain)	Infostrada Ducati	38:19.311
4.	Noriyuki Haga (Japan)	Playstation 2 Aprilia	38:34.775
5.	Neil Hodgson (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	38:40.531
6.	James Toseland (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	38:47.315
7.	Gregorio Lavilla (Spain)	Alstare Suzuki	38:54.737
8.	Broc Parkes (Australia)	NCR Ducati	38:54.947
9.	Ben Bostrom (U.S.)	L&M Ducati	39:02.514
10.	Hitoyasu Izutsu (Japan)	Fuchs Kawasaki	39:04.546
OTHER:
DNS	Peter Goddard (Australia)	Benelli Sport Tornado	0 laps
FASTEST LAP:Bayliss 1-min 48.389-secs

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after round 13 - final): Edwards 552, Bayliss 541, Hodgson 326, Haga 278, Bostrom 261, Xaus 249, Toseland 195, Chili 167, Walker 152, Lavilla 130. Other: Goddard 23

MEDIA ENQUIRES: Mike Porter - Tel: (07) 5591-1773, (0417) 311-997. Fax: (07) 5591-4955. E-Mail: mikep@qldnet.com