GODDARD SCORES TWO POINTS AT LAGUNA SECA

Australia's Peter Goddard today scored two points for Italian motorcycle manufacturer Benelli in the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship motorcycle series at Laguna Seca in the United States.

Goddard earned the points for finishing 14th in the second of the two 28-lap races around the 3.6km Californian circuit in warm conditions. He had been 16th, one position out of the points, in the opening race on his works three-cylinder Benelli Tornado 900.

The 38-year-old former World Endurance Champion has now scored championship points in six of his 10 starts in this year's series. He clocked a best lap time of 1-min 28.123-secs in race one, and 1-min 28.255-secs in race two.

Australia's championship leader Troy Bayliss won the first race at Laguna Seca on an Infostrada Ducati, ahead of Spanish team-mate Ruben Xaus. The second race was won by American Colin Edwards on a Castrol Honda, ahead of Bayliss.

The tenth round of the championship is at Brands Hatch in Britain on July 28.

PETER GODDARD QUOTES: "The bike was handling well, but we struggled in the first race with a throttle problem. It was difficult to keep the throttle open in the mid-stages. In the second race I was able to run lap times that were more consistent, and my race time was better. The track was typical Laguna - it was slick in places and difficult to get the tyres to work properly, but the conditions were the same for everyone. There are improvements to come with the engine and I'm looking forward to the extra power. We have a new oil sump coming for Brands Hatch, which could make a difference. We will see how things go when we get there for practice."

RESULTS - RACE 1 (28 laps):
POS	RIDER	MOTORCYCLE	RACE TIME
1.	Troy Bayliss (Australia)	Infostrada Ducati	40:18.943
2.	Ruben Xaus (Spain)	Infostrada Ducati	40:19.282
3.	Colin Edwards (U.S.)	Castrol Honda	40:20.994
4.	Nicky Hayden (U.S.)	American Honda	40:21.531
5.	Neil Hodgson (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	40:23.047
6.	Eric Bostrom (U.S.)	Kawasaki Racing	40:30.677
7.	Aaron Yates (U.S.)	Yoshimura Suzuki	40:36.604
8.	Ben Bostrom (U.S.)	L&M Ducati	40:42.695
9.	James Toseland (GB)	HM Planet Ducati	40:45.380
10.	Mat Mladin (U.S.)	Yoshimura Suzuki	40:49.142
OTHER:
16.	Peter Goddard (Australia)	Benelli Sport Tornado	41:33.213
FASTEST LAP:Haga 1-min 25.475-secs

RESULTS - RACE 2 (28 laps):
POS	RIDER	MOTORCYCLE	RACE TIME
1.	Colin Edwards (U.S.)	Castrol Honda	40:14.793
2.	Troy Bayliss (Australia)	Infostrada Ducati	40:15.879
3.	Neil Hodgson (GB)	HM Planet Ducati	40:16.465
4.	Eric Bostrom (U.S.)	Kawasaki Racing	40:19.836
5.	Ben Bostrom (U.S.)	L&M Ducati	40:26.636
6.	James Toseland (GB)	HM Plant Ducati	40:40.540
7.	Pierfrancesco Chili (Italy)	NCR Ducati	40:41.365
8.	Aaron Yates (U.S.)	Yoshimura Suzuki	40:45.027
9.	Doug Chandler (U.S.)	HMC Ducati	40:54.137
10.	Chris Walker (GB)	Fuchs Kawasaki	41:02.466
OTHER:
14.	Peter Goddard (Australia)	Benelli Sport Tornado	41:29.634
FASTEST LAP:Hodgson 1-min 25.597-secs

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after round 9): Bayliss 405, Edwards 352, Hodgson 221, Bostrom 184, Haga 182, Xaus 172, Toseland 124, Walker 108, Chili 90, Lavilla 84. Other: Goddard 10

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