Colin to Weave Magic at Monza Published in the Daily Mirror - Saturday 11 May 2002 "LIVE, die, I didn’t give a ****." That was former world champion Colin Edwards’ attitude to the thrill of the chase at Monza last year. Fortunately he lived to tell the tale. Unfortunately for him he lost both races, the first by less than one tenth of a second. That element of competition and desire to win is rife in the World Superbike paddock. Edwards’ win in Japan in the last round broke the dominant Ducati rule of Troy Bayliss and it shows that the man from Honda means business. The frustration of just missing out to the Australian last year will not sit pretty in Colin’s mind. Bagging 45 points at Sugo has whipped the Texas Tornado into a frenzy of determination. His stunning victory and second place narrowed the points deficit between him and leader Bayliss to 24. That is less than one victory and suddenly the championship title seems uncertain again. Fastest This weekend, weather permitting, we should see World Superbikes at their best in Monza, which is not only the most historic meeting on the calendar but also the fastest and one of the most demanding, with speeds reaching just short of 200 mph. With the long straights, tactical slipstreaming is the key to winning and has to be exact. A slight movement of the cheek can make a huge amount of difference! Even leathers, a tad too large, will affect the speed and Monza has always produced photo finishes. Britain’s Neil Hodgson – fastest yesterday – proudly stood on the third spot on the rostrum in Japan defiantly singing, ‘happy birthday’ to his dad, he was so overcome. He brings that joy and renewed confidence back to the European leg of the championship. The riders defy the laws of Newton at this circuit. Expect high-speed action with physical elbowing round the parabolica.