Hamilton's Andrew Stroud retained his lead in the New Zealand Superbike series after today's second round of races at Invercargill but saw rival Robbie Bugden close in after a controversial finish to the final race of the weekend today.
The white "last lap" flag was not shown to Stroud, who was leading the second race, at the end of the prescribed 14 laps.
Instead it was waved after the 15th lap and, soon after that, there was a new man in front in the form of defending champion Bugden.
Stroud had won the day's first 15-lap race, finishing ahead of Budgen and Christchurch's James Smith.
But Bugden fought back in race two -- Bugden, Stroud and Feilding's Craig Shirriffs (Honda) battling furiously in a three-way fight at the front.
When race leader Stroud misjudged a corner on the "extra" lap 16, Bugden pounced and crossed the line first.
Bugden's win was confirmed and it was an extremely disappointed Stroud who left the track at day's end, his championship lead still intact, but with Bugden now up to second in the title chase, 13 points behind.
"It has been recommended to me that I could protest this (flagging mistake)," Stroud said.
"The same thing happened in a 125GP race on Saturday and they wound it back to the rider order on the previous lap. I filled out a protest form but then drew a line through the whole lot.
"I always race to the flag and to the spirit of racing, so I've left the situation as it is and I'm not protesting.
"I'll just carry on as it is and aim to finish in front of Robbie at the next rounds.
"I blew it in that second race. On the lap I went in too hot in the last corner before the flag and overshot the bend and lost all my drive coming out."
Stroud heads to the next round at Timaru on January 30 and 31 aiming to maintain his momentum.
"I know a lot of the crowd are wanting to see the title come back to New Zealand (after Bugden has won it the past three seasons), and I hope I can satisfy their wants."
Leading standings after round two of the New Zealand superbike championships at Teretonga, Invercargill, today: Superbikes: Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki) 83 points 1, Robbie Bugden (Australia, Suzuki) 70 2, James Smith (Christchurch, Suzuki) 62 3.
600cc sports production: James Smith (Christchurch, Suzuki) 81 points 1, Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki) 50 2, John Ross (Christchurch, Yamaha) 65 3.
