From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

HM Plant Ducati targets race wins down under

The Superbike World Championship moves to the other side of the globe this weekend for the second round at Phillip Island, near Melbourne, Australia. Ducati Corse’s Neil Hodgson won both races at the first event in Valencia three weeks ago, but a third and fourth place in each race for fellow British riders James Toseland and Chris Walker sees them sharing third place in the points table.

The HM Plant Ducati riders rode impressively to record joint best results in the World Superbike series. Walker had previously finished third at the British round at Donington Park in 2000, and Toseland matched this feat at Assen in Holland last season. However, the challenge for the HM Plant Ducati duo is to move further up the podium towards that elusive first win.

Walker took third in the first race at Valencia and is already excited about his prospects in Australia: “I really like Phillip Island,” he said. “It has to be one of my favourite circuits on the World Superbike calendar. Despite the fact that I didn’t do that well on my first visit last year, I love the place. It’s such a long track that it almost becomes a new experience on every lap.

“After running so well at Valencia, I’m also looking forward to getting back on the HM Plant Ducati. After racing at Phillip Island last year on a four-cylinder machine, I am in eager anticipation of what the power and handling of the V-twin can do. I feel a bit like a sponge – I keep soaking up more and more information about the HM Plant Ducati, which in turn is helping me to improve my times.”

Toseland matched his team-mate’s performance in race two at Valencia and is also looking forward to the prospects for the Australian round: “I really like Phillip Island. It’s a fast and flowing circuit, and holds some really good memories for me – it was the first overseas track I tested at in 1998.

“I had an excellent start to the season in Spain, but I feel sure that Chris and I are going to get an extra boost in Australia. Our Chief Technician Stewart Johnstone has prepared some powerful engines for the HM Plant Ducatis, so we’ll be aiming to close the gap on the Ducati Corse machines of Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus this weekend.”