American Superbike champion Ben Spies has edged closer to a
Moto GP wildcard ride in the final race of the season after Suzuki
confirmed he will test for them after the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Spies, 23, who beat team-mate Mat Mladin to wrap up his second
straight AMA title last month, has long been mooted for a switch
to Moto GP with the Japanese manufacturer.
And, with a whole day put aside for him to ride the GSV machine
at Sepang on Monday, he could well make his GP debut in Valencia.
Suzuki team boss Paul Denning said: "It will be Ben's first time
riding at Sepang and also his first time with the GSV-R800.
"It's difficult to say whether he will be here in Moto GP eventually,
but he wants to give it a go and seems to have got over his fear
of flying to come over to Malaysia."
The likelihood is that Spies will remain in the USA for another year
before joining a semi-works operation, to be run by 1993 world
champion Kevin Schwantz.
Such a team would probably involve the Alstare squad from World
Superbikes, and Aspar from the lower GP classes, and would most
likely have him teaming up with Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista in
2009. uk.eurosport.yahoo.com - pic from amasuperbike.com
Spies to test at Sepang
Toseland relieved after title win
World SBK champion James Toseland admits his nerves were tested by his two-point championship winning margin. 
The Ten Kate Honda rider from Sheffield beat Noriyuki Haga by
just two points to claim his second Superbikes crown.
"Having left Brands Hatch in August with a 66-point lead, I
thought I had one hand on the trophy so to win by two was
nerve-wracking," he told the BBC.
"To win the title once was a lifetime ambition but to win it again,
on a different bike, was really humbling."
Toseland, who won the 2004 crown on a Ducati and the 2007 title
on a Honda, will compete in MotoGP next year for Tech 3
Yamaha, and said it was very important to him to leave the
Superbike arena on a high. "I did the deal (to move to MotoGP)
when I came back from the Suzuka Eight hour race at the end of
July, before Brands. It was a fantastic opportunity to take for next
year," he said. "But I always said it was my it was number one
priority to win title for Ten Kate. "I'm very proud - my team were
all in tears, and my friends and family were all there on the
podium. It was a great day." news.bbc.co.uk
pic from motorcyclingnews.com
Yamaha boss speaks of 'irreplaceable' Norick Abe -ozzy go-
The President of Yamaha has spoken of the shock felt within the
company at the death of long-time rider Norick Abe in a road
traffic accident in Japan.
Former works Grand Prix and World Superbike star Abe died in
hospital yesterday evening from injuries sustained when he
collided with a lorry in Kawasaki City.
Reports say the truck performed an illegal U-turn in front of
Abe, who was unable to take avoiding action. He was riding a
500cc scooter at the time of the accident.
Though he started his race career with Honda, the 32-year-old
will be forever associated with Yamaha after a long career with
them. He is currently lying third overall in the Japanese
Superbike series after returning to race in his homeland this
year.
Yamaha President Takashi Kajikawa said: "I am deeply
saddened to hear this tragic news. Loved by fans in Japan,
Europe and the Americas and throughout Asia, Norifumi Abe was
an irreplaceable ambassador of motor sports worldwide.
"Here in Japan the fans were especially excited to see Abe return
to the All Japan circuit after 14 years of international competition,
and certainly their sense of loss at his passing is great.
“We pray that his soul rests in peace and we send our deepest
condolences to his family and loved ones."
full story on motorcyclenews.com -
Norifumi Abe in 2001 GP500cc series - yamaha-racing.com
Norick Abe dies in road accident
Abe is reported to have collided with a truck, while riding a
motorcycle near the city of Kawasaki, after it made an 'illegal' U-
turn in front of him.
Abe was one of Japan's most celebrated racing heroes, having
burst on the scene by battling for victory as a Honda wild-card in
the 1994 500cc Japanese Grand Prix. Abe fell three corners from
the finish, but had done enough to earn a full time ride with
Kenny Roberts' factory Yamaha team for the following season.
The 19-year-old took his first 500GP podium at Suzuka in 1995,
but it was at Suzuka '96 that Abe etched his name firmly in the
record books - by becoming the first home rider to win the 500cc
Japanese GP, and turning him into a national hero overnight.
"I can remember everything about that race," recalled Abe,
speaking in 2005. "It was my second season with Yamaha and I
had been very fast in pre-season. The first two races of the year
were in Malaysia and Indonesia, but they both went very badly
for me, worse than they had done in my debut season in '95. The
third round was my home grand prix at Suzuka and there was so
much pressure on me to do well, it was unbelievable. 
"In practice and qualifying I was no good and by the time the
race came around the pressure had built up so much that I
couldn't even think about what I was doing. In the end it worked
in my favour because I just went out and raced as hard as I
could. Everything came really easily and I was so fast, it was a bit
of a surprise! I finished over six-seconds ahead of [future world
champion] Alex Crivillé... I couldn't believe it really.
"I remember the next day the interest from the press, television
stations and the fans was amazing. More importantly, people
within the sport started taking me seriously. Some people weren't
so sure that I had the talent to win races but after Suzuka '96
they started to look at me differently and trust in my ability. That
race changed my life," declared Norick, who switched to Wayne
Rainey's Yamaha team for 1997 and 1998, before becoming a
d'Antin Yamaha rider from 1999 to 2002.
Abe claimed 17 podium finishes during his grand prix career, with
a best championship position of fifth (1996), but struggled to
convert his raw 500cc pace into the new 990cc four-stroke era
that arrived in 2002. full story on uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
photos - norickabe.com
Norick Abe at the 2007 All Japan JSB1000 Championship Round 1 at
Sugo in April and at the 2007 8 hours of Suzuka in Jully.
Nieto scores faboulos third at Magny Cours
Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse Ninja ZX-10R) rode two
impressive races at Magny-Cours and topped a great day for him
and his team off with the podium they had been searching for.
Nieto was fifth in race one, but after a race laden with
determination from Nieto and race-long ability from his machine
he scored a fabulous third in race two.
Raceday started late for the Superbike riders, as overnight heavy
fog took some time to clear properly, and the meeting itself
seemed in some danger of not being completed in its entirety.
The fears proved ungrounded, and a full race card was
concluded.
Fonsi Nieto: “Despite the Superpole result of yesterday (ninth) I
continued to fight alongside my team and this is the result of our
work. I admit it wasn’t easy to maintain the race pace but I tried
everything I could to stay among the leaders and I did it, taking
home two great results. I felt this was my duty for all the great
work the team did during the year. I already feel nostalgic
because this was my last round with Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse team.
I’m happy to have made this present to all of them.”
full story on kawasaki-racingteam.com
Biaggi podiums at Magny Cours
Max Biaggi raced to second place in today's final event of the
2007 World Superbike season at Magny Cours in France and lifted
third place in the series.
The Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider, second before the
event, 29 points behind series leader and newly-crowned
champion James Toseland, was pipped to the second step on the
championship rostrum by Nori Haga, who won both races today
and finished just two points behind Toseland.
In race one, Biaggi fought his way up to sixth place after ending
the first lap 15th after luckily avoiding a first corner incident
involving Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) and James Toseland (Honda).
And in race two, he took runner-up spot after a tremendous battle
with Troy Corser (Yamaha).
Max Neukirchner, deputising for the injured Yukio Kagayama, was
on course for a podium in race one until he was forced wide after
tangling with Troy Bayliss (Ducati). He recovered to take fourth
position. In race two, he was beginning his charge up the field,
but crashed out on the sixth lap. 
Max Biaggi
“It has been a bit of a strange day all round. In race one I was
lucky not to get caught up in Lanzi's crash, but I lost a lot of
places avoiding the mess and was only 15th at the end of the first
lap. I fought as hard as I could, but it was impossible to catch the
leaders. I was very disappointed with my sixth place because I
knew it should have been much better. Race two was a hard race
but at least I was fighting with the leaders. Troy Corser and I had
a great fight and touched a couple of times, but that is normal
Superbike racing. I have liked my Superbike experience and it
has been good to race against many strong riders. “
Max Neukirchner
“My debut with this team has generally been very good indeed. I
have enjoyed riding this bike and today - well the first race
anyway - was great fun. If Bayliss had not forced me wide it's
possible that I could've made a podium. But racing is like that
sometimes. I was pushing hard in race two but lost the front at
one of the left-handers and crashed. It was a disappointing end to
what has been a great weekend for me.” suzukiracing.com
Bayliss brings 999 era an end for Ducati Xerox as Toseland takes title -ozzy go-
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) brought the Ducati 999 era to an end
as he finished second and fifth in the final two races of the year in
front of 75,000 spectators at Magny-Cours in France. With both
wins going to Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and the title in the hands
of James Toseland (Honda), the 38 year-old Australian concluded
the 2007 championship in fourth place on 372 points. Team-mate
Lorenzo Lanzi had a disappointing end to his period in the factory
Ducati Xerox Team with a nasty high-speed crash at the start of
race 1. Lorenzo suffered bruising to his right shoulder, elbow and
knee, which forced him to miss race 2. The Manufacturers’ title
went to Yamaha, with Ducati in second place, but there was
satisfaction for the Italian manufacturer today as 19 year-old
Niccolò Canepa clinched the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup with the
new twin-cylinder Ducati 1098S in its first year of competition.
“I guess it was a little bit up and down today” declared Troy. “It
took me a little while to actually get going in race 1 because the
guys were going really fast at the start of the race. But I
managed to keep the momentum going and started reeling them
back in. Our bike’s not slow but there are a couple of tracks
where we suffer a little bit in acceleration and this is one of them,
and when I do make a pass I have to cover the way well
otherwise it’s a waste of time. I thought I was going to do a better
job in the second race, we put a harder front tyre and changed
the rear setting a little. It’s hard to say if it was better or worse
really, I did my best lap on the last one but it was all over by
then. I’m happy to have taken the 999 to the end of its career,
I’ve had a great time on it and it’s been kind to me…once! And
now I’m really looking forward to riding the new bike next year!”
“It was a real pity” declared Lorenzo. “Today I felt really good
and I was sure I could have got a couple of good results because
I had a really good feeling with the bike. I wanted to make a
good start and I did, and I was almost immediately taking Corser
for second place. Then I felt the rear go away from me, I thought
I had overdone it in the curve but after looking at the replay I
realised that James touched me. Unfortunately these things
happen, that’s racing, I’ve also touched other riders’ wheels when
overtaking. Luckily nothing’s broken, but I’ve got some severe
bruising which prevented me from taking part in race 2.”
Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Corse Superbike Director, added: “We
won seven races this year, demonstrating that the 999 is still a
competitive bike. Although we lost the title, we know that we
could have been in with a chance of winning it. A few too many
mistakes during the season unfortunately prevented us from
coming to Magny-Cours for the final round with the title still to
play for, but we know we’ve got a...” full story on ducati.com
Yamaha Wins the 2007 World Superbike Manufacturers Championship -ozzy go-
Yamaha has won the 2007 WSB Manufacturers Championship with
a 28-point margin following today’s season finale at Magny-Cours.
Both Yamaha Motor Italia riders put in 100% effort today to give
the manufacturer the title with Noriyuki Haga taking the double
win and Troy Corser coming home in third and fourth. Both races
were nail-biting events with Haga and Corser making good use of
team work to gain maximum points.
Nobody could have asked for more from Haga as he led both
races from start to finish, claiming his second double win of
the season; the first being at Monza. Corser also put in a sterling
performance during the day, battling with Neukirchner and Bayliss
in race one and Biaggi and Nieto in race two, to take third and
fourth.
Haga’s double win was bittersweet as the rider ended the day just
two points off the championship title. This is the third time
Noriyuki has finished second in the championship. Corser’s results
today means he finishes the 2007 season in fifth place and today
saw him take the record for the highest number of WSB race
starts ever with 276 – one ahead of Pierfrancesco Chili.
After 16 pole positions, 177 podiums and 44 race wins Yamaha
has claimed the Manufacturers Title for the first time.
Shinichi Nakatomi finishes 2007 in 15th place following an 11th
place finish in race one and a DNF in race two.
Noriyuki Haga (1st and 1st – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
“In race one I couldn’t see what was happening behind but my pit
board was telling me so I built up as much gap as possible to try
and stay out of the battles going on. My heart was definitely
beating faster though! For race two I didn’t change anything on
the bike and I just tried my best. I’m disappointed with second in
the championship, who wouldn’t be with a gap of just two points!
But I’m happy. I’ve enjoyed fighting with all the riders in the
championship this year. The last few races have been really
good, from a results point of view; I’ll just have to try harder next
year. It’s been good working with Troy this year, we get on well
and I’m looking forward..." full story on yamaha-racing.com
Double tops for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda -ozzy go-
An astonishing display of true grit and determination enabled
British rider James Toseland to secure his second World
Superbike Championship title - and the first ever for HANNspree
Ten Kate Honda. The 2007 series victory rounds off an extremely
successful season, in which the team has already collected the
World Supersport title with Kenan Sofuoglu.
The 27-year-old collected the win by the narrowest of margins
following two difficult 23-lap races. Race one saw Toseland forced
off the track on the opening lap after Lorenzo Lanzi high-sided in
front of him leaving him nowhere to go but onto the gravel. The
new champion remained aboard the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda
CBR1000RR and re-joined the track at the back of the pack.
Toseland concentrated on the task at hand and set about carving
his way through the field - eventually settling for a safe seventh
position. Noriyuki Haga claimed the race win to move into second
position overall and narrow the gap in the championship standings
to 17 points.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda's Toseland returned to the track for
race two with a difficult task ahead and knowing that he must
finish in eighth place or higher. The Brit did not enjoy the best of
starts and slotted into sixth position from pole before moving up
to fifth on the opening lap.
The determined rider soon came under pressure from Troy
Bayliss and Max Neukirchner and by lap five the German rider
passed the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider, relegating Toseland
to sixth place. However, just three laps later Neukirchner crashed
out, leaving only Bayliss to challenge the World Superbike
Champion.
Bayliss passed Toseland on lap 11, while Toseland's team-mate
Roberto Rolfo slotted into seventh position. The riders maintained
station until the chequered flag with Rolfo assisting his HANNspree
Ten Kate Honda team-mate to ride safely to championship victory
with a two-point margin.
A tenth and seventh position respectively places Rolfo eighth in
the overall standings, on equal points with seventh-placed Lanzi.
Toseland's title rival Noriyuki Haga claimed a double race win -
but it was not quite enough to seal ultimate glory. full story
on hannspreeracingworld.com
pics from motograndprix.it & roadracingworld.com
Toseland claims Superbikes title
Britain's James Toseland won the World Superbike Championship
for a second time at Magny-Cours on Sunday.
He finished only seventh in the first of the day's two races after a
fall, but sixth position in the second race was enough to give him
the trophy.
Toseland, 27, finished two points clear of Japan's Noriyuki Haga,
who won both races on Sunday to overtake Max Biaggi.
Honda rider Toseland, who switches to MotoGP next season, won
the title for the first time in 2004.
He was delighted to seal his latest triumph, saying: "It's about
time. I've been in the lead from the first race.
"What an incredible championship, with Haga, Biaggi, Troy
Bayliss and Fonsi Nieto coming strong at the end.
"It's the best championship I've ever ridden in. To have a pole
and win the championship in my final race in World Superbikes
is a big 'thank you' to everyone involved.
"This is what I live for, this is the only thing that matters,
getting this trophy.
"My one (trophy) at home was getting lonely so I thought I
better get him a partner." news.bbc.co.uk
picture from motograndprix.it
Noriyuki Haga closes championship gap on James Toseland -ozzy go- motorcyclenews.com
'07 World Superbike Championship Round 13 - October 7, 2007
Magny Cours Superbike Race 1
1. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 38.33,762
2. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) + 2,770
3. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) + 3,735
4. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) + 8,570
5. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) + 12,925
6. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) + 13,283
7. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) + 16,395
8. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) + 22,581
9. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) + 22,828
10. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) + 32,729
Magny Cours Superbike Race 2
1. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 38.35,353
2. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) + 3,518
3. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) + 9,142
4. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) + 9,257
5. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) + 12,825
6. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) + 19,316
7. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) + 20,994
8. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) + 22,452
9. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) + 22,505 
10. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) + 28,352
2007 World Superbike Final Standings after Race #25
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 415pts/8 wins/14 top-3
2. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 413pts/6 wins/15 top-3
3. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 397pts/3 wins/17 top-3
4. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 372pts/7 wins/13 top-3
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 296pts/9 top-3
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 201pts/1 win/2 top-3
7. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 194pts
8. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 192pts/1 top-3
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 149pts
10. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) 137pts
11. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) 132pts/1 top-3
12. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) 125pts/1 top-3
13. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 116pts/2 top-3
14. Jakub Smrz (Czech Republic/Ducati) 66pts
14. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) 66pts
16. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda) 62pts
17. Josh Brookes (Australia/Honda) 40pts
18. Steve Martin (Australia/Honda) 27pts
19. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Italy/Kawasaki) 19pts
20. Marco Borciani (Italy/Ducati) 12pts
pictures from motograndprix.it
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
Troy Bayliss takes provisional pole at Magny Cours -ozzy go- motorcyclenews.com
Troy Bayliss saved his best until last to take provisional pole
position at the French World Superbike round at Magny Cours.
The Ducati rider took the top spot on his final flying lap of the
second qualifying session. Troy Bayliss started the session slowly
but was soon pushing toward the top of the leader board on the
Ducati before setting the benchmark 1m39.651s lap.
Troy Bayliss’ best knocked Japan’s Noriyuki Haga off the top spot.
Haga struggled with suspension set-up on the opening day but
clearly got his Yamaha Italia R1 dialled into the fast French circuit
and was consistently one of the quickest men in the hour long
session.
The surprise package of qualifying was once again German young
gun Max Neukirchner riding the second Alstare Suzuki this
weekend. Deputising for the injured Yukio Kagayama,
Neukirchner was the fastest man for the first half of the session
before dropping to third following a slow speed crash.
Britain's James Toseland ended the session down in seventh place
with a best lap of 1m.40.190. Toseland ran in the top three early
on in the session but in his final run suffered... read the full story
pic from motograndprix.it
Bayliss: My objective this weekend is to take the 999 out in style with a couple of wins
The 2007 World Superbike Championship draws to a close this
weekend at the Magny-Cours circuit in central France with the
final round of the season. Despite winning one of the two races at
Vallelunga last Sunday, Ducati Xerox Team’s Troy Bayliss is now
unfortunately out of contention in the fight for the title, which has
been whittled down to just three riders - James Toseland (Honda),
Max Biaggi (Suzuki) and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha).
Troy’s win in the second race at the Rome track was his seventh
this season, one behind the total of points leader Toseland, and
the 41st of his career. The tough 38-year-old Australian’s only
aim this weekend will be to end the season in style with further
wins to sign off the Ducati 999’s glorious career.
“My objective this weekend is to take the 999 out in style with a
couple of wins” commented Troy. “This place was pretty good to
me here last year, although I didn’t know the track very well. I
should be able to slide straight into it now, the bike was working
well enough when we left Vallelunga and I’m just looking forward
to two really good results, especially now they’ve resurfaced the
whole track. Last year we suffered a little bit here but honestly I
don’t think the other guys have got much stronger since the last
race last year. Yamaha for sure, Suzuki a little bit but the Honda
not really that much, so I don’t think..." read the full story
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
Crash puts Toseland party on hold
James Toseland's pursuit of a second World Superbike
Championship will go down to the final round after a dramatic
crash in the second race of the 12th round in Italy.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider Toseland will travel to next
weekend's finale at Magny-Cours in France with a 29-point lead
over Alstare Suzuki rider Max Biaggi and is still in prime position
to regain the crown he won in 2004 with just 50 points available.
But while the title looked all but secure back in early August when
his commanding double win at Brands Hatch opened up a 66-point
lead at the top of the standings, Toseland will now have to bank
two decent finishes in France to reclaim his title in his last
Superbike race before moving to MotoGP next season.
Toseland claimed third in race one behind Biaggi and Xerox
Ducati rider Troy Bayliss at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome but
crashed in race two and was only able to finish 11th after
rejoining the field as Bayliss won from Biaggi.
The Sheffield-born rider admitted that he had endured "the
hardest race of the season" after problems with his machine's
traction control but was not too disheartened as he stands on the
cusp of regaining his title.
He said: "We've gone from a really dominant and strong position
on Saturday to struggling today.
"The guys made a great job of rebuilding my number one bike
after the superpole crash and I chose to ride it. This was my
decision and maybe it wasn't the best decision because we
struggled to get the traction control working.
"There was no improvement from race one to race two and race
one was bad enough - definitely the hardest of the season so far."
ukpress.google.com - photos from motograndprix.it
Bayliss still a force -ozzy go- news.com.au
Australian Troy Bayliss might be aged 38 but he proved again he
is well prepared for another title at the world superbike
championship next season.
Bayliss and hometown hero Max Biaggi dominated the
penultimate round of the series at Vallelunga in Italy, setting up a
thrilling finale in France next weekend.
Biaggi (Suzuki) and Bayliss (Ducati) swapped first and second
places in both 24-lap encounters while British championship
leader James Toseland (Honda) wasted another opportunity to put
the title beyond doubt.
Toseland, who had crashed during qualifying, tumbled in race two
while battling with Australian Troy Corser (Yamaha).
He was able to remount and finish in 11th place, meaning he
takes a 29-point lead into the final round over Biaggi, with Japan's
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) the only other rider capable of taking the
crown at Magny Cours.
Earlier in the day, Toseland had increased his lead from 41 to 44
points after finishing a solid third in race one behind Biaggi and
Bayliss, but his hard work came undone when he slid off in the
second round.
"The guys made a great job of rebuilding my number one bike
after the Superpole crash and I chose to ride it,'' Toseland said.
"This was my decision and maybe it wasn't the best decision
because we struggled to get the traction control working. "There
was no improvement from race one to race two and race one was
bad enough - definitely the hardest of the season so far. "Having
said all that, we've come out of today with a 29-point advantage.''
While Toseland continues to grind his way to the title, Bayliss was
in sparkling form at Vallelunga, claiming pole position on Saturday
before sharing the spoils with Biaggi. In race one a fired-up
Biaggi was just too strong in front of 80,000 fellow Italians before
Bayliss countered with a start-to-finish victory, his seventh of the
year. ''
"It's been a really hard day, it's pretty warm out there and
Vallelunga is a very physical track,'' Bayliss said. "In the second
race I wanted to change the rear tyre but my chief engineer
wanted me not to and I went with his decision. "It paid off so I put
that win down to him.'' news.com.au
photos from ducati.com & suzuki-racing.com
World Superbike - GP of Vallelunga
Vallelunga, Italy, September 30, 2007
2007 FIM Superbike World Championship Round 12
Vallelunga Superbike Race 1
1. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 24 laps, 39:24.967
2. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) -5.638 seconds
3. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) -7.452
4. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) -10.079
5. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) -22.257
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) -25.662
7. Regis Laconi (French Rep./Kawasaki) -34.811
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) -38.075
9. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) -39.070
10. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Italy/kawasaki) -47.702
21. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) -24 laps, DNF, crash
Vallelunga Superbike Race 2
1. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 39:30.861, 24 laps
2. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) -1.431 seconds
3. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) -4.466
4. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) -13.766
5. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) -20.848
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati)-21.930
7. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) -29.847
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) -29.986
9. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) -40.126
10. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) -40.733
11. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) -42.544, crash
Superbike World Championship Standings after Race #23
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 396pts/8 wins/14 top-3
2. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 367pts/3 wins/16 top-3
3. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 363pts/4 wins/13 top-3
4. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 341pts/7 wins/12 top-3
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 267pts/8 top-3
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 192pts/1 top-3
7. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 187pts/1 win/2 top-3
8. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 177pts
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 136pts
10. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) 136pts/1 top-3
11. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) 122pts
12. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 116pts/2 top-3
13. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) 98pts
14. Jakub Smrz (Czech Republic/Ducati) 66pts
15. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) 61pts
16. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda) 53pts
17. Josh Brookes (Australia/Honda) 40pts
18. Steve Martin (Australia/Honda) 27pts
photos from suzuki-racing.com & ducati.com
Pole for Bayliss as Toseland falls - Super Troys Oz Masters at Vallelunga Superpole
Troy Bayliss claimed pole position for the penultimate round of the World
Superbike Championship at Vallelunga in Italy, while Britain's James
Toseland crashed to leave himself way back in eighth.
Toseland, 26, who can be crowned as world champion for the second time
this weekend if results go his way, was chasing the top spot on his
Superpole lap when he lost the front end of his Ten Kate Honda at a slow
left-hander and fell to the floor.
Despite failing to set a time, a rule change put in place at the start of the
season will see him start both races from eighth, by virtue of his time in
regular qualifying.
His crash left the way clear for Troy Corser to put himself into the top
spot. But that did not last long either as reigning world champion Bayliss
guided his Ducati around the track in a brilliant 1:35.890.
It was enough to give the 38-year-old Australian his sixth pole of the
season and the 18th of his career by just 0.126 seconds from his
compatriot Corser, on a Motor Italia Yamaha.
Ruben Xaus' Sterilgada Ducati and the Alstare Suzuki of local hero Max
Biaggi, who needs to beat Toseland in both races to retain his title chances
into the Magny-Cours season finale, completed the front row.
Corser's team-mate Noriyuki Haga, who will keep his title hopes alive by
being within nine points of Toseland's weekend haul, headed the second
row with Lorenzo Lanzi's Ducati and Michel Fabrizio's DFX Honda next up.
Behind Toseland, the top ten was completed by his team-mate Roberto
Rolfo and Shinichi Nakatomi, who took his Yamaha France entry into a
career-best tenth place. uk.eurosport.yahoo.com 
Vallelunga, Italy, September 29, 2007
Vallelunga Superbike Superpole
1. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 1:35.890
2. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 1:36.016
3. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 1:36.737
4. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 1:36.925
5. Nori Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 1:36.996
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 1:37.428
7. Michel Fabrizio Italy/ (Honda) 1:37.430
8. Roby Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 1:37.589
9. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) 1:37.775
10. Marco Borciani (Italy/Ducati) 1:37.902
11. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 1:37.942
12. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) 1: 38.067
13. Jakub Smrz (Czech republic/Ducati) 1:38.110
14. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Italy/Kawasaki) 1:38.153
15. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) 1:38.619
16. James Toseland (Honda) crash
photos from motograndprix.it & yamaha-racing.com