Video: 14 years since the legendary 2002 WSB finale

14 years ago today, Colin Edwards, the straight talking, smooth riding Texan, took his second World Superbike title in what was one of the greatest World Superbike races of recent memory.

2001 champion Troy Bayliss looked set to defend his championship, winning the first six races of the year. Bayliss would go on to dominate the first two thirds of the season, winning 14 of the first 17 races, compared to Edwards’ two.

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After Bayliss’ early domination, Edwards went on to win the final nine races onboard the Castrol Honda SP-2, setting up a last round showdown at the historic Imola circuit.

Just six points separated the pair going into the final race. If Bayliss won and Edwards finished second, the Texan would still win the title by one point, but that’s no way to win a championship.

What followed was a race long battle between the smooth riding Edwards and the hard charging, all-action Bayliss onboard a Ducati 998 that spent most of the race protesting violently at the Australian’s zero f**ks given riding style.

But you don’t have to take our word for it, sit back and watch the highlights from the final race of the season at Imola above.

**You may want to turn down your speakers if you’re not a fan of the heavy metal band Disturbed.

 

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