EASINGWOLD sidecar ace Steve Webster had his 200FIM Sidecar World Cup points lead trimmed back to 13 points at Valencia, Spain yesterday when he was pipped for the race win by main rival Klaus Klaffenbock.

After 23 tough laps of the twisting circuit, Klaffenbock had managed to shield off Webster to win by a mere 0.204 seconds.

Webster had taken pole put at the start was immediately reduced to third as Klaffenbock followed early leader Jurg Steinhausen into the first corner. But Webster outbraked the Austrian to retake second place.

By lap nine, the North Yorkshire ace was ready to take the lead and shot past Steinhausen, as did Klaffenbock who was determined not to let Webster get away. Klaffenbock seemed to have plenty of power in reserve as he simply drove past Steinhausen doing the same to Webster two laps later to take the race lead.

With a clear track ahead, Klaffenbock then tried to build an advantage and was able to get almost two seconds in front of Webster. It seemed that the seven time world champion had no answer as Klaffenbock steamed away, but Webster wasn't giving in.

With two laps to go, Klaffenbock seemed to have a comfortable advantage of over one second, but Webster was preparing for a last gasp effort.

On the final lap, Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead reeled in Klaffenbock and by the last corner were only inches behind. But their efforts were too late and Klaffenbock politely but firmly shut the door on Webster and held his place to take victory by a mere two-tenths of a second.

Disappointed Webster said: "I suppose he just drive better on the day, and beat us fair and square. It was a good race, there was no argy-bargy going on. I tried to get him on the last lap, but it was wasn't possible, and he defended the corners and kept us out," said Webster, who actually lapped the final lap quicker than his superpole qualifying time.

"The next race is Brands Hatch in August, so now I'm focusing on that and looking forward to it. It's one of my favourite tracks so we're hoping for the best."

Passenger Woodhead added: "Klaus rode well but they seem to have a slightly faster bike and had the straight line power. Another lap and we might have got him, but it's a narrow and twisty track to pass on.."

The result leaves Webster and Woodhead out in front on 155 points, with Klaffenbock and Hacnni on 142.

Yesterday's third finisher, Jurg Steinhausen holds his third place in the table with 104 points. Of course, if and when the appeals procedure is exhausted, Klaffenbock could lose the 25 points he gained at Donington which will throw a very different light on the rest of the championships.