BRANDS HATCH GEARS UP FOR WORLD SUPERBIKES
01 August 2007 - MotorSport Vision

James Toseland leads title chase

HANNspree Honda’s James Toseland extended his World Superbike championship lead in Brno and with the Brands Hatch round just around the corner he now holds a 43 point advantage over his rivals.

Reigning world champion Troy Bayliss had an unlucky weekend at Brno, crashing out of race one and finishing race two in sixth place. The Australian remains a force to be reckoned with though and has won at Brands Hatch in the past.

Xerox Ducati''s Bayliss said: ''Things are looking a bit more difficult in the championship after Brno, but now we move on to Brands Hatch and we''re still in the hunt for the title. We always seem to get good results and I really like racing there, it''s got great atmosphere and always attracts a fantastic crowd. Haga is always competitive there and we''ve had a lot of great battles in the past so I''m sure he''ll be up at the front this time round as well. I''m probably going to have to watch out for Toseland in front of his home crowd.''

Noriyuki “the Samurai of Slide” Haga meanwhile is looking to get back on the podium after missing out twice at Brno with two fourth places for Yamaha Motor Italia. He said: ''Brno was disappointing for me. I always want to win but sometimes it just isn''t possible and Brno was one of those times. Toseland is only 43 points ahead, which isn''t a big margin when there are still four rounds to go. I''m chasing the championship right to the end; it is very close for all riders still and a lot can happen! I like Brands Hatch because it’s undulating and you can hear the crowd as you race. It is one of the biggest races on the calendar, for the riders as well as the fans.''

Max Biaggi will be making his Brands Hatch racing debut on the Alstare Corona Suzuki. The former MotoGP star has never raced on the 2.3 mile Grand Prix circuit before, but is nevertheless targeting a strong result after two podiums last time out at Brno.

Biaggi said: ''I have never raced at Brands Hatch, but I have seen it in videos and I think it looks very interesting. The layout and design is very different to anything else I know and the atmosphere must be great because the fans can get so close to the action. Obviously it is a track where local knowledge is important and because I’ve no experience there before, I am going to be at a slight disadvantage in the beginning. But normally I learn circuits pretty quickly and I’m sure I can fight for the podium. I have been told that the WSB race at Brands Hatch is now an ‘event’ - not just a race anymore - so I’m looking forward to it and being part of this special occasion.''

The Corona Extra Superbike World Championship will make its annual pilgrimage to Brands Hatch on 3/4/5 August 2007. Watch Britain''s James Toseland fight for the biggest prize in Superbike racing and Max Biaggi race on the famous Grand Prix circuit for the first time. Tickets are now available from just £34. For more information and to book visit www.brandshatch.co.uk/wsb or call 0870 950 9000.

www.motorsportvision.co.uk

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