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

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

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

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

Bayliss: I want to go out with a couple more wins -ozzy go- ducati.com

SBK reaches fever pitch with penultimate round at first-
time Vallelunga circuit

Vallelunga (Italy), Thursday 27 September : The World Superbike
Championship reaches the penultimate round of 13, which takes
place this weekend at the Vallelunga circuit on the outskirts of
Rome. The production-based racing series will be competing for
the first time ever at the Italian track, which over the years has
been spruced up and lengthened to 4.110 km to accommodate
international racing competition.

As a circuit, Vallelunga offers a mixed technical challenge to the
World Superbike riders, who have to tackle several relatively fast
and sweeping corners before entering the final slow and twisty
part of the track.

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) added one more win to his season
tally three weeks ago in the German round at the Eurospeedway.
This enabled the 38 year-old Australian to close the gap to points
leader James Toseland (Honda), but he remains in fourth place
and a repeat of his 2006 title win is now extremely unlikely even
though still theoretically possible. With four more points-scoring
races still to be held, here and in France, Troy will realistically be
aiming for third in the table, although the runner-up slot could
also be on the cards.

Troy Bayliss, 4th in championship (296 points)
Troy tested here in the official FGSport tests at the start of July,
ending up second quickest behind Ruben Xaus (Ducati). Last
week's private session at the Ducati Xerox Team's chosen test
track enabled him to put some more mileage in but it mainly
involved sorting out the new 1098 F08 machine.

"We did test there last week but basically we were getting a feel
for the new bike so we didn't learn a lot to help us in the race"
said Troy. "I'm really looking forward to racing at Vallelunga and
trying to improve my overall position because right now I'm
fourth and there's a possibility that I could better that. Second is
a good possibility, third looks a bit more realistic, but most
important is that I want to go out with a couple more wins. I like
Vallelunga because it's got a lot of character about it. It's a very
physical track especially the first section because you're in sixth
and fifth gear so whenever you have to change direction you
have to put a lot of physical input into the bike, and the rest of it
is quite 'Mickey Mouse', but it's a track where spectators will
enjoy and it could make for good racing so I'm really interested
to see how it's going to pan out." click on ozzy go to the full story

Haga and Bayliss Split in Germany -ozzy go- speedtv.com

Toseland's lead cut after hard german weekend
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) and Troy Bayliss (Ducati
Xerox) took turns to score full points in the 24-lap Lausitz races,
with Haga overhauling Bayliss in race one, then a man-to-man
duel in race two was taken by Bayliss, as his best pace returned
in the latter stages. With Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona
Extra) scoring second and third in the Lausitz races, in his first
competitive visit to the track, world championship leader James
Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) left Germany with a much
reduced championship lead of 41, 25 points less than he arrived
with.

Race 1:
Despite a massive surge in the first few laps it was clear at half
race distance that Bayliss would not win the first race of the day,
and in the final analysis Noriyuki Haga secured a massive 11-
second margin of victory over Max Biaggi and Troy Corser
(Yamaha Motor Italia). Bayliss was a slowing fourth, having used
up his grip in the early laps, but of most importance to the
championship Toseland had rear traction problems which held him
down in ninth place, despite starting the first lap on the tail of the
leading bunch.

Race 2:
In the second 24-lap contest, Bayliss was once more a convincing
early leader, until Haga caught and passed him with ease.
Thereafter Bayliss hung on in, and even re-passed Haga, then
stretched out a lead of 1.353 seconds at the end. Biaggi had a
largely lonely race to third, while Toseland regained rear push
and control on his spare bike to secure fourth place, and only lose
a handful of points in race two. Corser was fifth, unable to keep
up his forward push once he got on the tail of a defensive
Toseland.

Rolfo and Waus fight into top places
Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) fell and remounted in race one,
to finish 12th. In race two he scored sixth while Roby Rolfo
(Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) took fifth and seventh place
finishes, after finding his race one set-up better than race two.
Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) had an unhappy day in race trim,
scoring eighth and then a 12th, as he chases Xaus in the
championship table. click on ozzy go to the full story - photos
from ducati.com & yamaha-racing.com

World Superbike - Grand Prix of Germany at Lausitz

2007 FIM Superbike World Championship Round 11
Eurospeedway, Lausitz, Germany, September 9, 2007
Lausitzring Superbike Race 1
1. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha)
2. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki)
3. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha)
4. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati)
5. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda)
6. Regis Laconi (French Rep./Kawasaki)
7. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati)
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki)
9. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda)
10. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda)
Lausitzring Superbike Race 2
1. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati)
2. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha)
3. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki)
4. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda)
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha)
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati)
7. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda)
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki)
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki)
10. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda)
Superbike World Championship Standings after Race #21
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 375pts/8 wins/13 top-3
2. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 334pts/4 wins/12 top-3
3. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 322pts/2 wins/14 top-3
4. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 296pts/6 wins/10 top-3
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 254pts/8 top-3
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 177pts/1 win/2 top-3
7. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 173pts
8. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 166pts/1 top-3
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 130pts
10. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 116pts/2 top-3
11. Regis Laconi (French Republic/Kawasaki) 113pts
12. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) 112pts/1 top-3
13. Fonsi Nieto (Spain/Kawasaki) 82pts
14. Jakub Smrz (Czech Republic/Ducati) 61pts
15. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda) 47pts
15. Shinichi Nakatomi (Japan/Yamaha) 47pts
17. Josh Brookes (Australia/Honda) 40pts
18. Steve Martin (Australia/Honda) 23pts
19. Giovanni Bussei (Italy/Ducati) 11pts
20. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Italy/kawasaki) 9pts

photos from motogranprix.it & ducati.com

Bayliss bounces back with race two win -ozzy go- uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Troy Bayliss avenged his earlier defeat with a dogged ride to take the
spoils in the second World Superbike race of the day at Lausitz in
Germany. The 38-year-old Australian kept alive his slim hopes of
retaining his world title after coming out on top in a tremendous battle
with Noriyuki Haga by just over a second, to notch up the 40th win of
his career. "Wins are hard to get but when you take one they're very
enjoyable," said Bayliss. "I've been racing Nori since 2000 and I love
racing against him. "Honestly there was no real difference in the bike
as far as set-up goes, it just felt like a different machine. It happens
sometimes." As he did in race one, Bayliss got the jump on the rest at
the lights, leaping in front of Max Biaggi's Alstare Suzuki, Ruben Xaus'
Sterilgada Ducati, James Toseland's Ten Kate Honda and Haga. But
Haga, who triumphed in race one, was in no mood to stay behind the
championship leader and scythed past him and Xaus on lap two, and
then Biaggi on the next tour to move up to second. Just as in race
one he closed in on Bayliss, and... click on ozzy go to the full story

Troy Bayliss on provisional pole

Troy Bayliss showed that he will not relinquish his world title
without a fight by taking provisional pole position for the latest
rounds of the World Superbike Championship at Lausitz.

The 38-year-old Australian is 97 points behind Britain's James
Toseland and will almost certainly be unable to retain his title
unless he collects a double win in Germany this weekend.

But he showed he has lost none of his speed by lapping the circuit
in 1:38.569 on his Ducati, out-pacing Troy Corser's Motor Italia
Yamaha by 0.211 seconds.

Alstare Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama, who won one of the two
races at the track last year, and Noriyuki Haga on a Motor Italia
Yamaha, completed the provisional row.

British superstar Toseland, who can wrap up the title this
weekend if he wins both races and results elsewhere go his way,
was fifth quickest on his Ten Kate Honda.

Ruben Xaus' Sterilgada Ducati, Max Biaggi's Alstare Suzuki and
Michel Fabrizio's DFX Honda were next up.

And the top ten was completed by Karl Muggeridge's Alto
Evolution Honda and Lorenzo Lanzi's Ducati.

Steve Martin, who has switched over from Yamaha France to
replace Stefano Cruciani at Celani Suzuki, was 18th, one spot
ahead of the Alto Evolution Honda of debutant Yoann Tiberio.

Britain's Dean Ellison was 22nd and last on his Pedercini Ducati,
6.5 seconds off the pace. uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

1. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 1'38.569
2. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 1'38.780
3. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 1'38.980
4. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 1'39.011
5. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 1'39.086
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 1'39.127
7. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 1'39.433
8. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) 1'39.487
9. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda) 1'39.525
10. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 1'39.639

World Superbike: Lausitz Preview -ozzy go- motorycle-usa.com

The chase for the World Super Championship title resumes this
weekend at the Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany after a month-
long summer break. To refresh your memory, Hannspree Ten
Kate Honda's James Toseland scored his first double podium
victory in the last WSBK race in front of a home crowd at Brand's
Hatch in England. Toseland stands alone atop the championship
point ladder with 355 and has a 66-point advantage over his
nearest competitor, Yamaha Motor Italia's Noriyuki Haga.

Four racers are mathematically still in the title hunt, but no rider
has overcome such an overwhelming deficit this late in the
season. The largest margin a rider has surmounted to claim the
championship is 39 points, achieved by Colin Edwards in 2002.
That year, Edwards was able to overtake the defending World
Superbike champion, Troy Bayliss, and win the title by 11 points.
The way Toseland has been racking up podium finishes this
season, though, it would almost take a small stroke of divine
intervention to prevent the young Brit from bringing the title
home.

Toseland won a thrilling Race 2 last year on the 2.66-mile
German circuit, fending off Haga by 0.210 seconds for the victory.
Beyond that win, Toseland's track record at Lausitz isn't
impressive. In eight starts, the Hannspree ace has seen the
podium only once, that coming in Race 2 of last season.

"We had a great result last year at Lausitz after winning a hard
battle against Haga, so it's a track we know we can do well at. If
we can have a weekend similar to Brands Hatch then it will be
difficult for the rivals to catch us in the championship. However, at
this stage there is still all to play for and 66-points is not a big
enough lead to enable us to relax. We still need to concentrate
and hopefully we can do the job," Toseland said.

The Yamaha Motor Italia team of Haga and Troy Corser are two
of the four riders still capable of tracking Toseland down. Haga
sits second in championship points with 289, while Corser hovers
on the farthest ring of the radar with 227. Haga has an impressive
resume on the German course, with a pair of second place
finishes last year and a second and third in 2005, so it is a track
he could double at if he rode flawlessly. Nitro Nori was only 26
points behind Toseland after Misano, but two fourth-place finishes
at Brno and a seventh-place run in Race 1 at Brands Hatch have
left the Japanese rider on the outside looking in. Haga did snare
second in Race 2 in England and is always a force to be reckoned
with on the track, so don't throw dirt on his coffin yet. click on
ozzy go to the ful story on motorcycle-usa.com

World Superbike enters final stages with German round at Eurospeedway -ozzy go- ducati.com

World Superbike takes up again after the summer break
with the eleventh round of 13 at the ultra-modern and
impressive Eurospeedway circuit in the eastern part of
Germany. Following the previous round at Brands Hatch,
Troy Bayliss’s hopes of winning a third WSBK title are all
but over as current leader James Toseland (Honda) now has
a 97 point advantage over the Australian with just three
rounds remaining. Both third and second place are within
striking distance however and Troy will be aiming to get
ahead of Max Biaggi (Suzuki) and Noriyuki Haga
(Yamaha) before the season’s end.

Troy Bayliss, 4th in championship (258 points)
This year’s event will be the fourth time the 38-year-old
Australian has competed at Lausitz. He won three of the
four races there in 2001 and 2002 but failed to take the top
spot in his title-winning season in 2006.

“I've always done OK at Lausitz, I enjoy riding there and
I've had some good races, even though last year was not
good. I crashed out on lap 5 of race 1 while leading,
recovering from 23rd to finish seventh, and then finished
third in race 2” he remembers. “Ducati don't really have any
advantage at Lausitz, it's one of the harder circuits for us.
Even though I've won races there, we do tend to struggle a
bit, probably because of the short, smaller corners. Lausitz
could go either way, good or bad, but the weather being
cooler than Brands could work in our favour now that the
summer is over. Brands Hatch was a big disappointment for
us and the title is out of reach now so I'm just going to try
and win races and finish runner-up in the championship”.
click on ozzy go to the full story - pic from motograndprixit

Eurospeedway Lausitz: Round 11 Preview -ozzy go- wsbk.com

TOSELAND THE TARGET FOR THE REST With three rounds and
thus six individual points scoring races left to run in the SBK
championship, an overall season strategy can be put aside by the
top contenders.

For long-time championship leader James Toseland (Hannspree
Ten Kate Honda) all he needs to do is keep racking up points and
podiums to maintain or increase his impressive 66-point
championship lead. For the rest of the top five (the only riders still
in with even an arithmetical chance of the championship win
itself) have to make up Toseland’s advantage, without worrying
about the progress of any other rider.

This simplification of the rules of engagement should heighten,
not reduce the ferocity of the front running competition, which
recommences after a month’s lay-off since round ten at Brands
Hatch. At that event Toseland scored a double win, his first in
World Superbike, but his rivals will be hoping that a change to the
flat, featureless and generally tight EuroSpeedway Lausitz circuit
will allow them to get back into closer company with Honda’s top
rider. click on ozzy go to the full story on worldsbk.com

World Superbike - Grand Prix of Great Britain at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch WSBK Race 1
1. James Toseland (Honda) 36'35.120
2. Troy Corser (Yamaha) + 1.554
3. Max Biaggi (Suzuki) + 2.917
4. Ruben Xaus (Ducati) + 10.202
5. Michel Fabrizio (Honda) + 14.133
6. Roberto Rolfo (Honda) + 14.323
7. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) + 19.380
8. Regis Laconi (Kawasaki) + 22.676
9. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) + 24.259
10. Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) + 24.423
Brands Hatch WSBK Race 2
1. James Toseland (Honda) 36'34.177
2. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) + 1.686
3. Troy Corser (Yamaha) + 1.760
4. Michel Fabrizio (Honda) + 8.456
5. Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) + 8.988
6. Ruben Xaus (Ducati) + 9.470
7. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) + 18.313
8. Max Biaggi (Suzuki) + 19.116
9. Regis Laconi (Kawasaki) + 20.501
10. Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) + 20.586
World Superbike Championship standings
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 355pts
2. Noryuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 289pts
3. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 286pts
4. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 258pts
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 227pts
6. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 163pts
7. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 161pts
8. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 146pts
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 123pts
10. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 116pts

Bayliss wins pole for Brands Hatch leg of World Superbikes

Brands Hath, England: Defending World Superbikes champion
Troy Bayliss will start on the pole position for Sunday's 10th
round.

The Australian edged series leader James Toseland of Britain in
Saturday's qualifying. Bayliss clocked 1 minute, 25.607 seconds
on his Ducati, with Toseland second in 1:25.635. Nori Haga of
Japan was third.

Toseland, who is looking for his first win on his home track at
Brands Hatch, leads the overall standings by 43 points.

"It was an OK lap but round here it's so risky to put it right on the
line, and the last thing I wanted to do was crash out," Toseland
said. "Obviously, I wanted pole in front of my home crowd, but
Troy and I have been swapping fastest times since Friday. He
'pipped' me today, but hopefully I'll turn the tables tomorrow and
finally get a win here."

With three rounds left, Toseland leads with 305 points, followed
by former MotoGP rider Max Biaggi, who is in his first Superbikes
season, on 262. Haga is third with 260.


Brands Hatch Superbike Superpole August 4,2007
1. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 1.25,607
2. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) + 0,028
3. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) + 0,271
4. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) + 0,354
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) + 0,520
6. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) + 0,593
7. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) + 0,869
8. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) + 0,881
9. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) + 1,110
10. Michel Fabrizio (Italy/Honda) + 1,339
11. Steve Martin (Australia/Honda) + 1,599
13. Karl Muggeridge (Australia/Honda) + 1,736

Troy Bayliss leaps to second - news.com.au

Australian Troy Bayliss is back in the race to defend his World Superbike title after
a double win in the Misano round on Sunday (June 17).

The Taree rider is now 21 points off title leader James Toseland of Briton who finished
fourth and sixth. In the title chase, Bayliss leapfrogged Max Biaggi (Suzuki) of Italy and
is now equal second with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) of Japan after the pair crashed in the
first race as Biaggi speared into Haga's bike in a passing maneuvre.

An interested trackside spectator at the event was MotoGP rider and seven-time world
champion Valentino Rossi who got to see his nemesis, Biaggi, crash.

Despite the 250km/h crash, both riders returned for the second race with Haga second
and Biaggi third.

Fellow Australian Troy Corser inherited second position in the first race after the crash
and was fifth in the second race. The two-time champion remains in fifth in the points.

Bayliss was delighted to record a race win at the circuit closest to Ducati's Bologna base.

"That's exactly what we needed and exactly what I wanted,” he said. “Misano is a very
special place for me to come and win here for all the Italians. It's been a great journey
back towards the front of the field and we leave here hopeful for the rest of the year.
Unfortunately I got the Australian flag caught in the clutch on the cool-down lap and
stalled the bike like an amateur! I was lucky to get a ride back, but all is well and I'm
happy."

Bayliss was hot in the blistering 40-degree heat of Misano, leadind from start to finish in
race two and setting a new lap record of 1:36.022.

"That's exactly what we needed. In front of Ducati's local crowd too makes it pretty
special," Bayliss said.

World Champion Troy Bayliss dominates both legs of Misano World Superbike

On a sun-splashed day before 68,000 fanatical Italian fans
(including homeboy Valentino Rossi!), Ducati Xerox’s Troy
Bayliss rode away to with both legs of the World Superbike
round at Misano Adriatico, Italy.

In the second and final leg of the day, Bayliss went to war with
Yamaha Motor Italy's Nori Haga in the early stages of the race
before hitting the afterburners and jetting away. On lap two Haga
executed an aggressive block pass on Bayliss, but Bayliss then
returned the gesture at the Quercia left had turn. The Australian
then immediately nailed down the fastest lap of the day on lap
nine, then went even faster on lap 10 lap ten, pulling away to a
one second lead. Bayliss continued to motor away, out front and
leading the way, easing up a bit at the end to win by 2.537
seconds over Nori Haga. Haga's Yamaha Motor Italy teammate,
Troy Corser, ran with the leaders during the first half of the race
before being displaced by Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra
teammates Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama, both of whom had
passed Yamaha rider Troy Corser. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s
James Toseland finished all alone in sixth, well ahead of a three-
way dogfight for seventh that was won by Ruben Xaus. Roby
Rolfo and Lorenzo Lanzi finished immediately behind. Suzuki
Germany’s Max Neukirchner was the 10t rider across the line.

In the opening round at Misano, Troy Bayliss easily won after
championship challengers Max Biaggi and Nori Haga hit the
asphalt with less than three laps remaining in the 24- lap race.
Bayliss was leading the power trio on the 22nd of 24 laps when
Biaggi botched a move for second place on Nori Haga in the high-
speed Curvone corners. Biaggi ran collided with Haga at around
120 mph and both riders went down in a heap. Bayliss was then
a free man, breezing away to an easy victory. Alpinestars.com
Misano Superbike Race 1
1. Troy Bayliss (AUS/Ducati) 38.52,856
2. Troy Corser (AUS/Yamaha) + 2,374
3. Yukio Kagayama (JPN/Suzuki) + 8,965
4. James Toseland (GB/Honda) + 11,110
5. Roberto Rolfo (I/Honda) + 18,709
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (I/Ducati) + 20,467
7. Régis Laconi (F/Kawasaki) + 22,072
8. Ruben Xaus (Sp/Ducati) + 25,424
9. Max Neukirchner (G/Suzuki) + 30,891
10. Jakub Smrz (CS/Ducati) + 37,724
Misano Superbike Race 2
1. Troy Bayliss (AUS/Ducati) 24 Laps
2. Noriyuki Haga (JPN/Yamaha) + 2,537
3. Max Biaggi (I/Suzuki) + 6,386
4. Yukio Kagayama (JPN/Suzuki) + 8,905
5. Troy Corser (AUS/Yamaha) + 9,130
6. James Toseland (GB/Honda) + 13,967
7. Ruben Xaus (Sp/Ducati) + 16,708
8. Roberto Rolfo (I/Honda) + 16,781
9. Lorenzo Lanzi (I/Ducati) + 17,312
10. Max Neukirchner (G/Suzuki) + 33,065
World Superbike Championship standings
1. James Toseland (Great Britain/Honda) 260pts
2. Troy Bayliss (Australia/Ducati) 239pts
3. Noriyuki Haga (Japan/Yamaha) 234pts
4. Max Biaggi (Italy/Suzuki) 217pts
5. Troy Corser (Australia/Yamaha) 182pts
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (Italy/Ducati) 133pts
7. Ruben Xaus (Spain/Ducati) 130pts
8. Roberto Rolfo (Italy/Honda) 109pts
9. Max Neukirchner (Germany/Suzuki) 100pts
10. Yukio Kagayama (Japan/Suzuki) 89pts