WSBK: Toseland is 2007 WSBK champion!

[Rory Phoulorie]

Sunday, 7th October 2007

James Toseland and his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team have taken the 2007 Corona Extra World Superbike Championship at Magny-Cours in France.


The race win went to Noriyuki Haga on the Yamaha Italia machine who rode a faultless race, leading from lights to flag. He lost out on the title by just two points. Toseland actually finished in sixth place but it was sufficient to clinch his second World title.

�About time,� he exclaimed, �I've been in the lead from the first race. What a championship with Haga, Biaggi, Bayliss and Corser. I've been in this Championship for seven years and I wanted to win it before moving MotoGP. This is what I live for, its all that matters. My trophy at home was looking lonely so I've now got this one to keep it company. This is what I wanted to say thanks to everyone in Superbike,� said an emotional Toseland.

Haga, once again is the Brides maid to Toseland, �It was a little bit easy, we change the suspension settings for race two and used one grade harder tyre. I was pushing so hard. I can't complain, I do my best to win twice. I try next year for the title,� he said.

Second place on the podium went to Max Biaggi on the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki who had an epic battle with Troy Corser.

Biaggi was happy with his podium finishes saying, �Its good always but I'm always looking for better. I'm happy with my first year and Superbike is a championship I like. Race one I get involved with the crash with Lanzi and Toseland. I lost out and came back on track in 15th so I was disappointed. For race two I change the suspension front and rear. It worked better and I pushed from the start, I had a better rhythm but not enough to catch Nori.�

The final step of the podium went to the hard charging Fonsi Nieto on the PSG-1 Kawasaki. He had wanted a podium for his team before he moves on next year and that is exactly what he achieved.

�That was a really hard race. I make good race in race one but second race I had better rhythm. I push hard and brake hard to pass Corser. He touch me one time and I touch him one time � this is Superbike and is fun for fans,� commented Nieto.

Troy Corser had to settle for fourth place after two very physical battles with Biaggi and Nieto. The Australian was bumped into by both riders leaving him with his feet off the pegs and lucky to stay on his Yamaha Italia.

Haga got a perfect start to race two grabbing the hole shot and never looking back. Toseland meanwhile was swamped by the chasing pack and was back in fifth place.

Steve Martin crashed out on the first lap and was taken to the medical centre. As the race raged on Haga was leading from Corser with Biaggi Nieto and Toseland chasing. On lap four things started to get physical with Corser and Biaggi as they clashed fairings. Toseland was coming under fire from Max Neukirchner who was on the move to take fifth place from him.

On lap six Biaggi had a huge moment which he was lucky to save. His Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki was bucking around with the front wheel off the ground while the rear skipped as he changed direction in the chicane. Meanwhile his young temporary team-mate Neukirchner crashed out when he lost the front end. This fall gifted Toseland fifth place.

Biaggi ran wide on lap eight allowing Corser back through, this didn't last for long as Biaggi claimed his second place again. Corser wasn't impressed and forced his way under Biaggi who then returned the favour. He hit the side of Corser's bike knocking the Australian off line and out wide onto the rumble strips. Corser shot him a look across the track. Further down the field Bayliss was trying to make a move on Regis Laconi but unfortunately ran wide.

Nieto was now up to the sharp end and barged his way through to take third place from Corser. As Toseland continued to lap in fifth place Bayliss started to close him down and on lap 16 he made his move relegating the soon to be champion to sixth place.

The gloves came off with Corser and Nieto on lap 19, they swapped places and bashed fairings twice leaving Nieto in third and Corser in fourth. Having taken a good battering in both races Corser settled for fourth place.

Lorenzo Lanzi opted not to take part in race two but he did speak to Toseland on the grid ahead of the event, a very sporting gesture following the incident in race one.


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