HANNspree Ten Kate Honda fights back in Valencia
World Superbike Championship
Round four: Valencia, Spain
 Following
a weekend of mixed fortunes at Donington Park, HANNspree Ten
Kate Honda heads to the fourth round of the 2007 World Superbike
Championship with its series lead in tact. The event will
take place in Valencia this weekend and both James Toseland
and Roberto Rolfo are fighting fit and ready to race.
Toseland will arrive at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit with the
aim of increasing the five-point gap between himself and closest
rival Max Biaggi. Having suffered a set-back at Donington
Park when his CBR1000RR cut-out on the third lap of race two,
the British rider is more determined than ever to prove his
title-winning ability in Valencia.
Team-mate Roberto Rolfo put in two strong performances in
the UK to prove once again that he has the potential to rise
into the top six in the ultra-competitive championship. The
Italian moved from 16th place on the grid to ninth in the
first race and from 15th to seventh in the second to secure
his highest finish to date and ninth place overall in the
standings.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
"Although at Donington we didn't get the results we
deserved, we still maintained the lead in the championship
and we will be working hard to improve this further in Valencia.
James is riding really well at the moment and we are still
making small improvements to the bike race by race. Roby has
successfully adapted his riding style to suit the CBR1000RR
so hopes are high to have both the riders running up the front
at Valencia. At the winter testing in Valencia we improved
a lot on our previous lap times at the track, so we see no
reason why we shouldn't do well at the weekend."
James Toseland:
"It was tough in Donington to go from the joy of winning
the first race to not finishing the second, but I'll be putting
in all behind me and concentrating on the job we have to do
in Valencia. I'm still leading the championship and that is
where I said I wanted to be after Donington and I'll say the
same again - I want to leave Spain as the series leader and
that is the goal for the whole team."
Roberto Rolfo:
"I had a much better feeling on the bike at Donington
and although I had bad luck once again in the Superpole, I
feel like I have made really good progress. I am looking forward
to Valencia - it is a track we have tested so we have already
done some good work towards the set-up of the bike. I know
that I can do better and I will be looking to prove that in
Spain."
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