SIDECAR ace Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead increased their 2000 FIM Sidecar World Cup title lead with an emphatic win after 23 gruelling laps at a baking hot Misano.

As temperatures soared, Webster was on top form after building up a six second cushion and defending it textbook style from the efforts of title rivals Klaus Klaffenbock and Adolf Haenni.

Starting from Superpole, Webster got a fast start, dragging team mate Jurg Steinhausen along with him for five frantic laps as the North Yorkshireman tried to build his advantage over Klaffenbock.

The Austrian was forced to start from eighth place on the grid after flipping his outfit in qualifying and had been unable to make the Superpole session.

As Webster piled on the pressure at the front, Steinhausen found the pace a little too hot.

After a nasty slide on the sixth lap and having overcooked his tyres Steinhausen eventually dropped back.

Meanwhile, Klaffenbock continued to edge his way through the field and found his way through to second.

But with Webster watching his pitboards closely and upping the pace every time the Austrian made a go for it there was only going to be one winner.

"It was great to get the win and stamp our authroity a bit but it was a tough race, " explained a delighted Webster.

"After those first six laps while we were trying to get away it was so hot and I felt worn out.

"The trouble with Misano is that there is just nowhere to take a breather at all.

"Hockenheimis fast but at least you can catch your breath back on the straights.

"Misano hasn't got any straights to speak of - you're either accelrating or braking.

"I was wrestling the bike all the way round and it was very tough and physically demanding.

"I'm glad to get it out of the way and to win was great for us."

The win puts Webster into an 18 point lead over Klaffenbock.

But the Austrian is still protesting his innocence over the Donington fuel test.

If, as expected, Klaffenbock loses his case the 25 points and win is awarded to Webster and the lead will become a massive 48 points.

The next round is in Valencia, in Spain, on Sunday.