Motorcycling: Schwantz top after late burst

KEVIN SCHWANTZ advanced to the top of the world 500cc championship standings with a narrow win in the Austrian Grand Prix at the Salzburgring yesterday. The Texan's Suzuki sped home just half a second ahead of the Honda ridden by Australia's Michael Doohan.

Wayne Rainey, the triple world champion, came third on his Yamaha. He was nearly five seconds behind Schwantz, who set up the win that pushed him five points ahead of his fellow American when he went in front eight laps from home.

Doohan, who is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered last year and some minor falls since, went in front after five laps. Schwantz, meanwhile, concentrated on working his way up to second place and when he launched his final attack, not even the fastest lap of the race by the Qeenslander could stop him. .

As Schwantz streaked clear for his third victory of the season, Rainey managed to squeeze into third place by overtaking the Suzuki of Brazil's Alexandre Barros just before the finish.