Briefly: Motor cycling

Motor cycling

Cadalora eclipses title duellists

Italy's Luca Cadalora upstaged the leading championship duo of Michael Doohan and Daryl Beattie yesterday to secure pole position for today's Czech 500cc Grand Prix at Brno. Cadalora, the former 125cc and 250cc world champion, made a late run of 2.02.180 on his Yamaha to pip the Australians. The practice had initially taken on the familiar pattern of a duel between the defending world champion and current championship leader Doohan on a Honda and second-placed Beattie on a Suzuki. Both improved their times of Friday's first official practice on several occasions, Doohan clocking a best of 2:02.524 to Beattie's 2:02.611. But Cadalora returned with a magnificent run late in the practice session, which neither of the Australians could match. It was a superb performance by the Italian rider, but Doohan remains favourite to extend his winning streak which has seen him victorious in the last five races. Doohan currently heads the championship table with 170 points, with Beattie second on 155 and Cadalora third on 110. The Aprilia rider and defending champion Massimiliano Biaggi took pole position for the 250cc category race.