Toseland’s final battle Eight race victories and six other podium finishes from eight front row starts place HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland as the series leader as he enters the final round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship. The British rider heads to Magny Cours this weekend with a 29-point advantage in the standings. Despite his impressive tally, the youngest-ever World Superbike Champion will be forced to fight to reclaim the crown. Closest rivals Max Biaggi and Noriyuki Haga are hot on his heels and hungry to snatch the title from his grasp. The championship will go down to the wire in two 23-lap races at the 4.411km track on Sunday. Toseland has an excellent track record at Magny Cours and is no stranger to the pressure of fighting for the title at the final round of the series. The Isle of Man resident secured his first championship win from a five-point deficit with a double podium finish at the French circuit in 2004. Three years on, his sights are set on equalling this result to secure his second World Superbike Championship victory. Team-mate Roberto Rolfo has had a consistent season with some impressive results. The Italian rider is heading to Magny Cours in eighth place in the standings and hopes to end the season on a high by securing a top five position. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “We are going into the final round 29 points ahead of our closest rival and that is a strong position to be in. There is a lot of pressure, but if we were in the same position as Biaggi or Haga we’d be feeling it a lot more! James’ results at Magny Cours are historically good and I know that he is determined to get the championship. Nobody can predict the results this weekend, but the determination and hard work is there and that is the best we can do.” James Toseland: “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.” Roby Rolfo: “I have enjoyed this season with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda and the CBR1000RR has definitely improved my riding style. I like Magny Cours and my results there last year were OK. I hope I can do well to make up for race one in Vallelunga when I was forced out by a burst tyre. Race two went a lot better and I had a good feeling on the bike so I want to continue this in France and end the season in a good way.”