HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland enters round 11 of the 2007 World Superbike Championship at Lausitz this weekend with a 66-point advantage over his title rivals. However, with 150 points still up for grabs before the end of the season, the battle for the championship crown is far from over. Toseland put in his best performance of the year so far at Brands Hatch, clinching his first ever double win in front of his home crowd. While the results were an all-important confidence boost for the Isle of Man resident, he is acutely aware of how crucial the two races at Lausitz are. Toseland secured one race victory at the 4.26km circuit in 2006 and will be aiming to match, if not beat, that result this year. Team-mate Roberto Rolfo made good progress at Brands Hatch and is aiming to maintain his recent good form in Germany. The Italian rider currently lies in eighth place in the championship standings with three crucial rounds left to go. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “Brands Hatch was the highlight of the season for us when James secured his first ever double win, and the team’s first double of the season. However, Lausitz is another race weekend and, although we have a 66-point lead at the moment, it doesn’t mean we can lose concentration. With 50 points per weekend at stake, it is easy to lose that advantage. Also, this part of season usually means that the chance of rain is very likely. We are fortunate that James managed to get a good feeling on the bike in wet conditions at the Magny Cours test. For Roby, we hope he can progress his riding once again. With the layout of the Lausitz track, I am confident that he can get some good results this weekend.” James Toseland: “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.” Roberto Rolfo: “I can’t wait to get back to racing as we have had quite a break since Brands Hatch. I am happy with the bike now and the feeling is very good. I feel like I have made good progress over the last few rounds and I am looking forward to Lausitz so I can try to get up to the front of the pack. The team is working really well together and I hope that I can bring home a good result for them this weekend.”
Toseland: 66 Points Is Not A Big Enough Lead To Enable Us To Relax
Toseland: 66 Points Is Not A Big Enough Lead To Enable Us To Relax
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