Toseland storms to pole

James Toseland put himself in the best possible position to win a
second World Superbike title by taking pole position for the final
rounds of the championship at Magny-Cours.

The 27-year-old Briton had showed no indication in regular
qualifying that he could challenge for the top spot and was the
ninth man of 16 to set his time.

But a superb 1:38.501, which smashed the qualifying record, saw
the squirming Ten Kate Honda rider on pole for the second time
this season and only the fourth time of his career as one by one
his more fancied rivals failed to better his time.

There was nothing unusual about seeing a Suzuki ridden by a Max
second on the grid, but it was not Max Biaggi as instead Suzuki
Germany's Max Neukirchner took his best career grid spot, only
0.023 seconds slower than Toseland.

Completing the front row were the Motor Italia Yamahas of Troy
Corser and Noriyuki Haga, one of the two men still capable of
beating Toseland to the title.

Lorenzo Lanzi was an impressive fifth ahead of what will be his
final two races for Ducati, with the Alstare Suzuki of Biaggi - who
needs to win to take the title battle with Toseland down to the
final race.

Outgoing world champion Troy Bayliss, the fastest man in regular
qualifying, has a messy lap on his Ducati and will start seventh,
ahead of the PSG-1 Kawasakis of Regis Laconi and Fonsi Nieto.

Completing the top ten was Ruben Xaus on a Sterilgada Ducati,
while Britain's Dean Ellison failed to make it into Superpole and
will start 20th and last on his Pedercini Ducati. Yahoo!Sport

Magny Cours Superbike Superpole - October 6, 2007
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 1.38,501
2. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 1:38.524
3. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 1:38.624
4. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 1:38.897
5. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 1:38.955
6. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 1:38.982
7. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 1:39.174

pictures from worldracing.com & motograndprix.de