Whitham has the final word

Motorcycling

Niall MacKenzie's lead in the British superbike championship shrank to just five points at the half-way stage after his team-mate James Whitham scored a double victory at Brands Hatch yesterday.

Whitham, who is recovering from cancer, thrilled a 17,000 crowd by passing the Ducati of Terry Rymer to win the opening race by three-hundredths of a second. Race two saw the Yamaha rider, who has won five of the last six races, increase his advantage.

MacKenzie was third in both rounds while a pair of fourth places went to Michael Rutter on a Ducati. Rutter broke his right collar-bone last weekend and underwent experimental laser "welding" treatment on Friday.

Results, Digest, page 24