The new wave
The year 2000 saw a changing of the guard in World Superbikes. An injury at round two in Phillip Island saw the reigning champ Carl Fogarty retire – eventually for good – while the rest of the chasing pack tried to make the new millennium’s title theirs.
Two would rise to the surface: Colin Edwards on the new Honda VTR1000 SP1/W and Noriyuki Haga on theyamahayzf-r7. By this time of the season you see here (Oschersleben, the penultimate round) the controversy over Haga’s drug test was almost done.
The Japanese rider had tested positive for ephedrine after the first round, which had been in a herbal slimming aid. He and Edwards had been fighting the likes oftroy Corser (3) on the Aprilia RSV
Mille, Pier-francesco Chilli (7) on the Suzuki GSX-R750 – with team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara (9), as well as Foggy’s Ducati replacement,troy Bayliss (21), all year. Edwards’ title would be confirmed at the final round.
Edwards would also win the 2002 WSB championship in startling fashion in a ‘game of two halves’ season versus Bayliss who would take the 2001 title.
Both would head to Motogp for 2003. For the bike itself, 2000 was an impressive year for the Honda VTR1000 SP1/W. It won first time out in World Superbike (Kyalami), its first 24 hour race (Le Mans) its first eight hour race (Suzuka) and its first WSB championship… some debut.