2007 FIM Superbike World Championship Brno, Czech Republic July 22, 2007 Race Two Results (wet conditions): 1. Max BIAGGI (Suzuki GSX-R1000K7), 19 laps, 38:53.022 2. James TOSELAND (Honda CBR1000RR), -1.510 seconds 3. Michel FABRIZIO (Honda CBR1000RR), -5.419 seconds 4. Noriyuki HAGA (Yamaha YZF-R1), -6.765 seconds 5. Roberto ROLFO (Honda CBR1000RR), -7.910 seconds 6. Troy BAYLISS (Ducati 999F07), -9.241 seconds 7. Lorenzo LANZI (Ducati 999F07), -19.424 seconds 8. Fonsi NIETO (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -24.191 seconds 9. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yamaha YZF-R1), -26.680 seconds 10. Ruben XAUS (Ducati 999F06), -28.095 seconds 11. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Honda CBR1000RR), -33.256 seconds 12. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suzuki GSX-R1000K6), -33.352 seconds 13. Jakub SMRZ (Ducati 999F05), -33.495 seconds 14. Regis LACONI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -40.453 seconds 15. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -57.284 seconds 16. Luca MORELLI (Honda CBR1000RR), -77.657 seconds 17. Milos CIHAK (Suzuki GSX-R1000K6), -95.801 seconds 18. Stefano CRUCIANI (Suzuki GSX-R1000K6), -97.346 seconds 19. Christian ZAISER (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), -5 laps, DNF, mechanical 20. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki GSX-R1000K7), -9 laps, DNF, crash 21. Jiri DRAZDAK (Yamaha YZF-R1), -12 laps, DNF, retired 22. Troy CORSER (Yamaha YZF-R1), -13 laps, DNF, mechanical 23. Dean ELLISON (Ducati 999RS), -18 laps, DNF, retired Superbike World Championship Point Standings (after 18 of 26 races): 1. Toseland, 305 points 2. Biaggi, 262 points 3. Haga, 260 points 4. Bayliss, 249 points 5. Corser, 191 points 6. Lanzi, 150 points 7. Xaus, 140 points 8. Rolfo, 131 points 9. Neukirchner, 111 points 10. Kagayama, 105 points 11. Fabrizio, 85 points 12. Laconi, 83 points 13. Nieto, 58 points 14. Smrz, 56 points 15. Brookes, 40 points 16. Nakatomi, 37 points 17. Muggeridge, 33 points 18. Steve Martin, 14 points 19. Giovanni Bussei, 11 points 20. TIE, Iannuzzo/Morelli, 9 points More, from a press release issued by Honda: TOSELAND EXTENDS LEAD ONCE MORE AFTER RACE ONE WIN James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) secured a first and second place at the fabulously appointed Brno circuit, and in doing so increased his championship lead to 43 points. He had qualified on the front row and made good starts in each race, but during a dramatic day for most of his main rivals, Toseland capitalised when most others had issues to deal with. Race one saw Toseland make an early burst into the lead, then get reeled in by two of his main championship rivals, Noriyuki Haga and Max Biaggi, before breaking free once more as the laps wore on. Riding to defend while attacking each corner to the finish flag, Toseland beat Biaggi for the win by 0.237 seconds, with Yukio Kagayama third and Superpole winner Haga, fourth. Bayliss crashed out of the race while fighting for the minor top ten positions. Race two delivered Toseland another podium finish, this time in second, meaning he and race winner Biaggi swapped a win and a second with each other, as they did in round one at Qatar. For the other supported Honda riders there were happy memories and some substantial points hauls to take away from the Czech Republic. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) followed up his two podiums at Brno last year with third in race two this year, having already earned ten points for sixth in race one, after qualifying tenth in Superpole. Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) secured a brace of fifth places, making it a successful weekend of work after qualifying ninth. Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) was knocked off his machine when another rider hit his brake lever, sending him over the bars at 200kmph. He recovered from the crash to score 11th in race two, as he sits 17th overall. Luca Morelli (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) failed to score points today, after a DNF in race one and finishing 16th in the second race. He had been 19th in qualifying. Toseland puts his Brno successes down to new technical advances in electronics on his machine and his determination to score well. “After Misano these two races were pretty big,” said Toseland, happy with the win and relieved to have taken some pressure off after some bad luck in recent races. “We had fallen behind on electronics, but we knew what the problems were and we sat down and figured out what we needed to do. Since the tests things have just got better and better. I feel like we are back in the game again and it’s nice to draw a line under it all.” Rolfo was slightly injured in a qualifying crash before raceday but went ninth in Superpole. Two strong finishes help his championship placings, and build his confidence for the end of season run-in. “I am half happy and half not,” said Rolfo after his Brno races. “I think race one was very good because I pushed hard to catch up with Haga towards the end, although my lap times were better than my position. I was confident for race two but unfortunately after the first corner I had to go wide because of debris on the track and I almost highsided. I lost a lot of time at this point and it was not very easy to catch up. I was also experiencing some pain in my leg from the crash in qualifying yesterday. The ligament is inflamed and I had no force to push as fast as I wanted. Anyway, my lap times were quite good but the difference between them and the riders in the front was not what I wanted.” Fabrizio’s push to second sees him 11th in the overall rankings, on 85 points. He was delighted with his first podium for almost a year. “After the great experience of riding in MotoGP last week this result here was important for my motivation and morale. In race one, after half the race, the front tyre was sliding a bit. I was disappointed because I could not challenge more. In race two, after a change in the front suspension, the bike was much better, and the tyres were consistent. Unfortunately 10th position in the qualifying was difficult to overcome because Toseland and Biaggi already had four or five seconds on me after just one lap.” Muggeridge was happy to be fighting with the likes of Troy Bayliss before he crashed, but after being beaten in his high speed spill, he went out in race two just to finish and get as many points as possible. “It didn’t matter what happened in race two, I was finishing it, said a beaten and bruised Muggeridge. “In race one another rider pulled across in front of me and hit my brake lever, and that flipped me over the front. My head feels like someone is still punching it and I have a cut on my leg, so the fall beat me up pretty bad. We were doing 200kmph at the time. We had to use the second bike in race two but we got some points.” Morelli was unhappy not to score today, after one technical problem and then tyre wear issues halted his potential progress. “In race one there was a problem with the tank when the overflow broke and that spilt fuel all over me. In race two the choice of the tyre was the same as Fabrizio’s but after six laps the front and rear started sliding.” Between 3 and 5 August Brand Hatch, England, hosts round ten of both World Superbike and World Supersport championships. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Toseland returns to top form HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland put the bad memories of Misano well and truly behind him by securing two podium finishes at Brno today. The British rider clinched a race win and a second place to further extend his lead in the 2007 World Superbike Championship. Team-mate Roberto Rolfo rode skilfully to maintain eighth place in the standings. Race one brought a thilling four-way tussle between Toseland, Noriyuki Haga, Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama. The four swapped place numerous times before the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider claimed the top spot on lap 10. He proceeded to keep his rivals at bay for the remainder of the 20-lap race, stealing victory from Biaggi after a nail-biting fight in the final minutes. The second race of the day saw another battle between Toseland and his Italian rival. After seeing off Haga, the duo played cat and mouse until the final lap, but in the end in was Biaggi who clinched the victory. However, a second place finish was more than enough to extend Toseland’s championship lead to 305 points. Roberto Rolfo also had a successful day as he put in two of his best performances of the season so far. Having started from ninth on the grid, the Italian rider fought incredibly hard to secure two fifth place finishes. He collected a crucial 22 points to add to his championship tally and maintain his eighth place position in the standings. Ronald ten Kate: “After Misano, we all understood that is was very important for us to get things back on track. We had two productive tests in Brno and Vallelunga, where we got the PI system on the machine again for the electronic side of things. It has paid off today and we are definitely competitive again. Roby also did very well today – this was probably his best race of the season so far. He is showing improvements, but of course it is difficult to have a rider like James beside you in the garage because you are always a little bit in the shadow. Today he gets my big compliments for the way he rode. We are looking forward to going to Brands Hatch now and hope we can continue to do well.” James Toseland: “After Misano these two races were pretty big. We had fallen behind on electronics, but we knew what the problems were and we sat down and figured out what we needed to do. Since the tests things have just got better and better. Thanks to the team and the PI people – it’s meant going from third and fifth place to second and third. I feel like we are back in the game again and it’s nice to draw a line under it all.” Roberto Rolfo: “I am half happy and half not. I think race one was very good because I pushed hard to catch up with Haga towards the end, although my lap times were better than my position. I was confident for race two but unfortunately after the first corner I had to go wide because of debris on the track and I highsided. I lost a lot of time at this point and it was not very easy to catch up. I was also experiencing some pain in my leg from the crash in qualifying yesterday. The ligament is inflamed and I had no force to push as fast as I wanted. Anyway, my lap times were quite good but the difference between them and the rider’s in the front was not what I wanted.” More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: DISAPPOINTING DAY AT BRNO FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM Brno (Czech Republic), Sunday 22 July: The Ducati Xerox Team’s worst fears regarding the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship were confirmed as Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi had a disappointing day at the Automotodrom Brno. The Italian team again found the going tough on the Czech track and a crash for Troy Bayliss in race 1 and a sixth place finish in race 2 complicate matters somewhat for Troy in the title battle. Lorenzo Lanzi also struggled on the second Ducati Xerox 999 machine with eighth place in race 1, but he did have the satisfaction of leading the field for the opening lap of race 2 before dropping to seventh. Troy was taken out of a lowly tenth spot in the first race as Muggeridge’s crashed Honda slid into him on lap 12, but apart from a bruise and a stiff ankle, the Ducati Xerox rider was OK. “I didn’t see anything, I was going into the corner, heard a noise and that was it. The next thing I saw Karl on the ground, he had crashed into me, but wasn’t even on his bike! I went over and thanked him because I wasn’t enjoying that race anyway in tenth place!” joked Troy. A harder choice of front tyre brought an improvement in the second race but Troy was down in tenth at the end of lap 2 and could only claw his way back up to sixth at the flag. “It was exactly the same here as last year – a crash and a poor finish – but this time I’m happier with the result in race 2. We made a mistake in the first race putting the soft tyre on but for the second race we put in a harder front tyre and it made a huge difference. We started to get good confidence back because it’s a tyre I normally like anyway. My start was good and I was in second place at the first corner but then I got beat up. Someone came at me on the inside, somebody hit me on the outside and I got knocked back down a long way. I came back pretty strong, but anyway the best thing I can do now is forget about this place and move on to Brands Hatch!” “I really thought that the front tyre would last a bit longer in the first race. In my opinion a hard front and a soft rear was the best choice today, but unfortunately it did not allow me to keep the pace of the leaders” declared Lorenzo. “In race 2 I made an excellent start, but then had the same problem as race 1 with the front tyre despite the drop in the track temperature. In the last six laps the tyre was literally destroyed, Rolfo and Corser passed me easily and I lost ground. The last laps were a bit of a lottery, because the bike was almost impossible to ride. At least the early laps showed that I am still the same old Lanzi as 2005 and that I’m not lacking in determination. If conditions allow, I can fight with the top guys. But this wasn’t the right track and we knew that we couldn’t do much more than what we did today”. Today’s results at Brno, a win apiece for James Toseland (Honda) and Max Biaggi (Suzuki), mean that Troy slips back down to 4th in the table again from 2nd and that the top 4 in the championship race are separated by 56 points with four rounds remaining and 200 points still up for grabs. More, from a press release issued by Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: 2007 Superbike World Championship Round 9, Brno, CZ Sunday 22nd July Crowd: 55,000 (3-day) Circuit: 5.403 kms Weather: Mostly dry and sunny, some light rain, 25-27C MAX TAKES A WIN AND A SECOND PLACE AT BRNO. Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi continued his love affair with Brno circuit today, by taking runner-up spot in the first race and then following that with a superb win in the second. The win means Max has won a race in a every category he has raced at Brno and also moved him into second place in the championship behind James Toseland. Max’s team mate Yukio Kagayama started the day well by taking third place in race one, but he crashed out of the second trying to get up into the top three. Fortunately he was not injured, but he was disappointed not to be in contention for a podium in the latter stages of the race. Series leader James Toseland (Honda) won the first race, after a terrific battle with Max, Yukio Kagayama and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha). Towards the end of the race, Toseland ran wide and into the dirt, kicking up stones and dirt. Max was right in his wheeltracks and was showered with stones – some of them smashing holes in his windscreen and another hitting his left glove and ripping a hole in it. When Max took off his gloves, blood oozed from one of his fingers and he had to go to the medical centre to have it seen to after the podium ceremony. It was also an eventful race for Yukio. At one stage he and his good friend, Haga, hit each other, but luckily they both were able to carry on – though Haga’s gesticulation afterwards showed his displeasure. The second race saw a determined charge up the field by Max Biaggi. The race had been delayed because of light rain and then shortened by one lap to nineteen. Max was seventh at the end of the opening lap but moved up the field and passed Toseland to take the lead on lap fourteen. From then on in, Max kept a cool head and ran out the winner by over one and a half seconds at the flag. Second was Toseland, with Michel Fabrizio (Honda) third. Max – Race 1: 2nd, Race 2: 1st Brno loves me and I love Brno. It’s incredible to think of how many good memories I have of this place and today continued that pattern. It’s a fantastic track because there is such a good variety of turns – some fast, some not so fast. Tyres were always going to be a bit of a problem today, but the second race was better for them because it was a bit cooler. I didn’t change anything to the bike from the first race to the second, except put fresh tyres in of course. I want to thank the whole Alstare Suzuki squad for these great results today. it’s been a while since I won a race, but to win one today and finish second in the other makes me very happy Yukio – Race 1: 3rd, Race 2: DNF I am happy with my first race and unhappy with my second! After my success last year at this track and after the recent improvements, I really thought I could win a race or maybe take two podiums. After race one, we didn’t change anything on the bike but, while I was trying to chase the leaders, I lost the front end and crashed. It happened very quickly and I could do nothing about it. Up until then, I felt that I could catch the top three and take a podium, but my plan didn’t work out, so I am not so happy. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: TOSELAND AND BIAGGI SHARE BRNO WINS – TOSELAND EXTENDS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and his new number one championship rival Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) shared a win apiece at Brno, in two races with very different starts and finishes. The completely dry first race was followed by a rain-delayed start to race two, although by the time the action had commenced the track was largely dry, and soon dry enough for Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia) to leave with a superb new lap record of 2’00.674, set on lap four. RACE ONE Toseland looked to have gone too early at one stage of proceedings, but the determined championship leader recorded his first win since race at Assen by holding off his eventual lone challenger, Max Biaggi. In third Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) survived a couple of scary moments to earn a podium, just ahead of a fading charge from pole man Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia). It was another hard race in SBK, and one with a result few would have predicted, especially as Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) crashed out after hitting the fallen machine of Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda). RACE TWO The second race got underway with many strange names in the top positions to start but it soon settled into a chase of the rapid starting and highly aggressive Haga. He would finally drop back once more to record his second fourth place of the day, and allow Biaggi through to the lead he was never quite to surrender to the tenacious Toseland, who took a close second. Third place went to Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda) who overcame a slow start to charge through to third, passing Haga with five laps to go. It was his first podium finish of 2007, and a remarkable achievement for a rider who looked set to be happy with two top ten finishes in this particularly challenging year for privateers. TOSELAND NOW 43 POINTS AHEAD Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) finished race two down in sixth position and the Brno fortunes of the top five competitors have changed the shape of the world championship fight considerably. Toseland’s win and second now puts him 43 points ahead of new second place rider, Max Biaggi, with Toseland on 305 points, Biaggi on 262 and Haga only two points further back, with 260. Bayliss is now fourth, on 249. Corser’s seventh and technical DNF in race two puts him fifth, on 191. ROLFO AND LANZI FIGHT IT OUT FOR PLACES ON AND OFF TRACK Italian riders in top teams, Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) had a few on track fights at Brno and in the championship table Rolfo’s two fifth places today brought him closer to Lanzi in the overall standings, with Lanzi on 150 and Rolfo 131. Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) battled hard but had little joy today, finishing only 12th and tenth, and now has 140 points. Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Germany) was one rider on really top form for periods today, but slides back in the latter stages after midfield battles saw him only ninth and 12th. KAWASAKI RIDERS ENDURE RATHER THAN ENJOY BRNO Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) was forced out of the first race at Brno with a technical problem and after a few similar mishaps he almost pulled in again. He finished eighth in race two, despite being dead last into turn one as his clutch grabbed and held back his forward progress. Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) was lucky not to fall in a collision that ended race one for Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda), with each rider blaming the other, but it was this crash that claimed Bayliss in race one. Laconi sits 12th overall in the standings. WORLD SUPERSPORT – SOFUOGLU AT HIS POLISHED BEST Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) added the race win to the pole he took on Saturday to put him in an almost unassailable championship position with only four races left to run. His win puts him 70 points ahead of second place rider in the title chase, Fabien Foret (Gil Kawasaki) who took a surprise third after qualifying on row three and having a bad start. He, and eventual second place rider Craig Jones (Reve Ekerold Honda), earned their podiums when Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) crashed into the rear of Robbin Harms (Stiggy Motorsports Honda), causing each rider to fall. Parkes recovered to finish thirteenth in the race, but dropped to eighth in the championship overall. Jones’s podium was his first in WSS racing, and the first for his team, which is making its debut in WSS racing this year. Katsuaki Fujiwara stays third overall on his Althea Honda, after finishing sixth today, behind Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni) and Joshua Brookes (Stiggy Motorsports Honda). SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP – DEBUT WIN FOR SIMEON Seventeen year-old Belgian Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki) celebrated his national day one day late, but in fine style, with a win in a closely contested Superstock 1000 race. His first ever win in this category came after his main rival Ayrton Badovini crashed out on his MV Agusta, leaving close placed rider Matteo Baiocco (Yamaha) second. Third place went to Claudio Corti (Yamaha). In the championship Baiocco now leads Mark Aitchison (Suzuki) by 15 points, 115 to 100, with Simeon third on 96. BRANDS NEXT FOR SBK CIRCUS The World Superbike series sets off to Brands Hatch for the tenth round of the year, between August 3 and 5. More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION FOR TROY IN BRNO! It was a weekend to forget for Troy at Brno. He finished seventh in the first race, due to tyre problems, and then his Yamaha suffered a mechanical failure in the second and he was forced to pull out. Practice and qualifying had gone reasonably well and Troy was looking forward to a couple of good results, but it was not to be. Instead, he was left wondering what has happened to his season and when his luck will change. Hopefully, the next race at Brands Hatch will not be so bad and Troy is looking forward to it with anticipation. Series leader James Toseland (Honda) and Max Biaggi (Suzuki) shared the victories today and both took runner-up spots to keep things nice and tidy. Third place in race one went to Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) and Michel Fabrizio (Honda) took the third spot in race two. Race one was particularly eventful, with Biaggi’s bike’s windscreen getting smashed by stones thrown up when Toseland ran wide in one of the turns. Biaggi’s glove was also torn in the impact and the Roman suffered a bloody finger. There was also a collision between good friends Haga and Kagayama, but fortunately both riders stayed onboard and were able to carry on. Troy Race 1: 7th, Race 2: DNF I really don’t know what to say anymore, because I can’t believe what’s happening. Another disappointing weekend and I’m beginning to wonder how long this is going to go on. Race one was just a tyre problem. The bike was sliding from the first lap and it didn’t get any better. It was moving around so much, I should’ve pulled in, but I wanted to keep going and finish the race. Seventh is not very good, but at least it’s a finish! Race two started more or less ok, but then we had a mechanical problem and had to stop. Seems like a bolt broke and allowed oil to leak out. Once that happened my race was over! There’s nothing more to say really – I just feel disappointed and frustrated. More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: HEROIC NANNELLI SCORES POINTS AT BRNO NO LUCK FOR SMRZ ON HIS HOME TRACK A fantastic, heroic, Gianluca Nannelli finished in the points the difficult race event at Brno, despite the pain in the injured leg did grow up very heavy from the middle of the race on. The World Championship point scored is not important for the standing as well for the fighting spirit of the rider and the team in such difficult circumstances. “It has been a very hard battle and after half race I was thinking to be not able to finish.” related Gianluca Nannelli back in the pit. “I got a good start and during the early laps I earned several positions. I had before me the group with Veneman, Kallio, O’Halloran and Gimbert and I was thinking to be able to catch up them, but at that moment the pain started to be very strong and I must slow. At that moment Leblanc and Alfonsi arrived and overtook me. I had a reaction, I passed immediately Leblanc, but Alfonsi was able to resist at my attack. To see him leading me did spur me on to resist, while when I rode alone the pain got the upper and my pace felt down. At the end I’ve been not able to pass him, but we finished together in a line. I know I’ve been lucky scoring a point, but I must say too that I was ready to keep every possible situation, and that in my conditions has been very hard. I dedicate this result to everybody has been close to me, to the team that gave me a very fast bike, to the Clinica Mobile staff that put me in condition to ride, to my family and friends that supported me ant to myself too, because I rode actually a fantastic race. Now I’m more confident for the next events, as well my physical conditions will go on to be not perfect.” No luck on the contrary for Jakub Smrz in his home track. The Czech rider in race-1 has been betrayed by the tyres: the rear had early an excessive consumption and about at half race Smrz lost the front tyre too and Jakub, who closed the gap after a slow start, finished in the gravel. In race-2 on the contrary “Kuba” had a perfect start and during all the race did fight for a position just behind the top ten position, a score that he lost on the finish line for a few hundreds of second. “A wrong day and just on this track!” has been the comment of Jakub Smrz at the end of the day. “For the race we select a hard tyre, but the rear had immediately a bad consumption. Then suddenly, when I overtook Iannuzzo, also the front let me with any warning and I crashed in the gravel. In race-2 I had a good start, at the first slip I was in 13th position with just a couple of seconds gap. The bike was running well, but the tyres early started to slide, however I’ve been able to ride during all the race with Neukirchner and Muggeridge, fighting for the 11th position. Unfortunately I’ve not been able to pass them during the final lap and I finished 13th with a handful of hundreds of second gap! I would give to my fans a couple of good results, but the misfortune would have the last world.” More, from a press release issued by Team YZF Yamaha: Good weekend for Nakatomi After a nice Superpole session on Saturday, with the 13th time, Shinichi Nakatomi had two beautiful races on Sunday, finishing 10th, and then 9th. This is his best ever result since he started the Superbike World Championship. In the first race, the Japanese rider was 14th after one lap. Then he gained positions until finishing 10th under the chequered flag after a great fight with Regis Laconi (Kawasaki). In race 2, he started 14th and finished 9th, in front of good riders like Ruben Xaus, Karl Muggeridge, Max Neukirchner and again Laconi. Not only the progression was good but also the lap times were excellent. Shinichi Nakatomi: “I had this week my best feeling. I enjoyed racing with Laconi in race 1. We made some changes for race 2 and I felt then better on the bike. All my laps were almost one second quicker than during the first race, while it was the opposite for many other riders. I am feeling happy.” Team-manager Martial Garcia: “This is the confirmation of the progress made already during the qualifying sessions. Nakatomi finished in front of well-known riders very talented like Xaus, Laconi and Neukirchner. He is now part of the good group. Shinichi expressed totally his talent.” Race 1: 1-Toseland (Honda), 2-Biaggi (Suzuki), 3-Kagayama (Suzuki), 4-Haga (Yamaha), 5-Rolfo (Honda) –¦10-Nakatomi (Yamaha) Race 2: 1- Biaggi (Suzuki), 2- Toseland (Honda), 3-Fabrizio (Honda), 4- Haga (Yamaha), 5-Rolfo (Honda)–¦9-Nakatomi (Yamaha) World Championship standings: 1- Toseland (Honda) 305 points, 2-Biaggi (Suzuki) 262, 3- Haga (Yamaha) 260, 4-Bayliss (Ducati) 249, 5-Corser (Yamaha) 191 –¦16- Nakatomi (Yamaha) 37 10th round of the Superbike World Championship: August 5th at Brands Hatch (United Kingdom)