World Superbike: Magny Cours Preview -ozzy go- motorcycle-usa.com

It's going to be a 'Battle Royale' this weekend between Hannspree
Ten Kate Honda's James Toseland, Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra's
Max Biaggi and Yamaha Motor Italia's Noriyuki Haga for the title
of World Superbike champion. What appeared as a dominant 66-
point lead after Toseland's double at Brands Hatch three races
ago has dwindled to a surmountable 29-point margin. The results
at Vallelunga demonstrated that there are no certainties in
roadracing, with Toseland crashing in Race 2 and almost getting
taken out in the first lap of Race 1 when Troy Corser spilled. With
50 points at stake in the final race of the season at Magny Cours,
the competition for the podium in France this weekend is going to be fierce.

"This has been one of the most up and down rollercoaster rides of
a championship that I've ever competed in. The pace at the front
of World Superbikes this year has been incredible and it's been a
pleasure racing against the two Troys, Nori, Max and the rest of
the field. The racing has been fantastic, but I fly on Wednesday to
France with only one intention - to win my second World
Superbike Championship in Magny Cours, where I secured the
title in 2004," Toseland said.

The Hannspree ace has registered an impressive resume this
season - eight victories, including his first-ever WSBK double
podium, to go along with six other trips to the rostrum. And even
though he has a 29-point advantage headed into the last race of
the season, the British rider will have to fight to the very end with
Biaggi and Haga poised to pounce on any mistakes and stake
their own championship claim.

If Toseland's track record at Magny Cours has any merit, he
should be in good shape to secure the championship. King James
won his first title at the French circuit in 2004, overcoming a five-
point deficit with a double podium finish, albeit in a different class.
He did win Race 1 there last year in WSBK, so he has
demonstrated the skills necessary to put his CBR1000RR in the
winner's circle.

Standing between Toseland and the championship is Biaggi.
Considering this is the Roman rider's first World Superbike
season, the Suzuki ace's results have been spectacular. Biaggi
has had to learn tracks on the fly as it was his first time to turn
laps at many of the courses. Mad Max has been coming on strong
the last few races and his 1-2 finish at Vallelunga vaulted him
past Yamaha's Haga, who had owned the second-place position
for most of the season. It's certain that Toseland will be aware of
Biaggi's position at all times come Sunday.

But Biaggi is not his only threat. Yamaha Motor Italia's Haga is
also within striking distance, 33 points behind Toseland. The duo
engaged in a classic duel in Race 1 at Vallelunga, exchanging
elbows and knees in a joust to the finish line. Toseland would
eventually win the duel, but Haga is a true warrior who will lay it
all on the line in France this weekend to try and bring the
championship title home.

"Magny-Cours is going to be a real animal fight for the win.
Toseland, Biaggi, Bayliss, Corser and I are all looking at that top
step with determination. It's going to come down to who wants it
the most and who has the best set-up. But I plan to spoil
everyone else's party!" Haga exclaimed.

Haga also has a proven track record at Magny Cours, with a race
win to his credit in 2004 to go along with his second and fourth-
place finishes last year. Nitro Nori has shown he can run rapidly
on the circuit, posting the fastest lap during Race 1 last season.

And despite being eliminated from championship contention, the
two Troys are posed to play the role as spoiler this weekend.
Though Ducati Xerox's Troy Bayliss may not have been able to
defend his crown, it doesn't mean that he wouldn't love having a
say in who wins the title this year. read the full story on MC-USA