2006 Superbike World Championship
SBK Round 12 – Magny Cours (France) –
Preview
Circuit: Magny Cours (4.411 meters)
OBJECTIVE SECOND IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TOSELAND
Now that the champion has been crowned, the Winston Ten Kate
Honda Team hopes to be able to finish the season overall second
in the world standings, courtesy of James Toseland. At the
Magny Cours circuit, the English rider will have the opportunity
to secure the runner-up spot, rounding out a season that always
featured the Dutch team and James battling for the positions
that really count. James will have to defend and extend the
two-point advantage he has over Noriyuki Haga, but it is not
his intention to make too many calculations. His objective
is to achieve more victories. He has already taken two race
wins, one in Qatar and one in Germany. It is the last chance
of the season for Karl Muggeridge, on the other side of the
Ten Kate garage, to step on the podium. The Australian has
been riding well in the last few races and he is determined
to score an important result for his team.
Ronald Ten Kate – Team Manager
“In Imola, to be honest, it didn't go as we expected.
Of course, second position from James in race one was quite
good, but if he didn't have that electronics problem, I think
he could have finished in front of everyone. But we have to
look forward. We now enter the last weekend of racing of the
year and we want to get the best out of it. James is determined
to finish his first season on a Honda CBR1000RR well, and
to be runner-up would be a good way. Karl wasn't too far from
the fastest in the Imola races, I hope he will find the good
form which should help secure a positive result for him and
the team.”
James Toseland – Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider
“Not the luckiest weekend in Imola, but as everyone
knows, luck turns around. We have to be positive; we finished
both races in front of my end-of-season rival Haga, and this
put me in second position in the world standings. This position
is still not safe, but I will do my best to maintain it in
the two Magny Cours races. I feel good and I’m looking
forward to starting another weekend of racing.”
Karl Muggeridge – Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider
“I really want to get on the podium before the end
of the season. The past weekend wasn't too good overall; our
times weren't the fastest from Friday on. We hope to start
much better in Magny Cours to finish in better positions in
Sunday's races. The team is ready and I’m ready.”
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