Motorcycling: Criville leads chase

ALEX CRIVILLE of Spain, on a Repsol Honda, held off team-mate Michael Doohan to win the French 500cc Grand Prix in Le Castellet, France, yesterday.

With his second 500cc grand prix win this season, the Spaniard put himself on top of the world championship race. He now has a slender two-point lead over defending world champion Doohan.

"It was great to win here. So many fans had travelled over the border to see me," said the rider from Barcelona.

But it was not such a good day for his countryman Carlos Checa, who had led the race on his Honda at one time.

Checa looked to be ready to take second place before half-way through the final lap, Doohan swooped inside him as he drifted wide on the corner and the Spaniard had to settle for third.

Doohan complained afterwards that his Honda suffered from lack of power.