Toseland extends lead at HANNspree Ten Kate Honda's home
race
 HANNspree
Ten Kate Honda's James Toseland was just 0.009 seconds away
from securing his first ever double win today after a nail-biting
fifth round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship at Assen.
In race one, Toseland maintained his lead from pole position
and only let go of the top spot for a brief five-lap spell
behind Noriyuki Haga and Ruben Xaus. By lap ten the British
rider had re-claimed the lead and made it stick for the remainder
of the 22-lap race, despite a convincing attack from Troy
Bayliss. The victory was Toseland's fifth in as many rounds
this season and he secured 25-points to further extend his
championship lead.
The second race of the day was a thrilling contest between
Toseland and defending World Superbike Champion Bayliss. After
shaking off Haga, the duo put on an incredible display of
competitive riding that had the Assen crowd out of their seats.
Toseland stayed within half a second of Bayliss' tail, passing
him several times but the Australian rider kept fighting back.
In the dying seconds of the final lap and with Toseland in
the lead, Bayliss slipped passed the CBR1000RR on inside of
the last chicane stealing the podium top spot from the HANNspree
Ten Kate Honda rider. However, Toseland remains at the top
of the standings with 196 points - 32 points clear of second-place
rider Max Biaggi.
Two strong performances from team-mate Roberto Rolfo saw
him achieve his aim of two top ten finishes, as well as claiming
his highest result of the series so far. The Italian moved
from 11th on the grid to ninth place in the first race and
fifth in the second. He picked up 18 points in total to maintain
ninth position in the standings.
Ronald ten Kate:
"We have seen some incredible racing today. James had
a fantastic win in the first race. He didn't win the second
race but I don't think we can talk about anyone losing - both
guys showed that they are great riders and great champions.
I am more than happy with the result. I am also happy that
Roberto's progress in now showing in the results. Fifth is
a really good result for him and hopefully next time he can
get further up the grid so he can join the leading pack. I'm
sure he can deliver us more points in the coming rounds."
James Toseland:
"I have mixed feelings today - I am gutted that I couldn't
get the double win for the team at their home race. I was
pushing so hard out there but Troy Bayliss is a tough man
to beat and he just wasn't going to let that go. I made a
mistake on that last chicane and went to deep on the brakes
and he just got past me. Fair play to the man - that was an
incredible race. Anway, I have two more podiums under my belt,
plus another race win and I am still leading the standings
so I can't really complain. I will keep trying though - I
want that double before the end of the year!"
Roberto Rolfo:
"The racing was not too bad today. I am happy because
in race one I had a good feeling on the bike and I found a
good rhythm after four or five laps. I was quite confident
that I could get a good position but I had a problem with
the front tyre so I couldn't push as hard as I wanted to.
Race two was much better, but it is difficult to find a way
to the front to be with the top riders. Towards the end I
pushed harder and I got a good result, so I'm pleased."
Race one results:
1 J. Toseland 37'02.097
2 N. Haga + 0.663
3 R. Xaus + 3.698
4 T. Bayliss + 7.134
5 L. Lanzi + 9.312
6 M. Biaggi + 9.534
7 Y. Kagayama + 18.286
8 F. Nieto + 18.403
9 R. Rolfo + 19.873
10 M. Neukirchner + 22.914
FL T. Bayliss 1'39.906
Race two results
1 T. Bayliss 36'54.133
2 J. Toseland + 0.009
3 M. Biaggi + 7.439
4 T. Corser + 12.379
5 R. Rolfo + 23.052
6 M. Fabrizio + 23.158
7 M. Neukirchner + 23.311
8 F. Nieto + 24.147
9 J. Smrz + 29.660
10 R. Laconi + 32.301
FL N. Haga 1'39.770
Championship standings
1 J. Toseland 196
2 M. Biaggi 164
3 N. Haga 144
4 T. Bayliss 128
5 T. Corser 114
6 R. Xaus 99
7 L. Lanzi 98
8 M. Neukirchner 71
9 R. Rolfo 64
10 F. Nieto 46
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