TOSELAND (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) SHOWS GREAT FORM WITH DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH AT ASSEN

Assen (Netherlands), Sunday 4 September: James Toseland produced some aggressive
racing on the Xerox-backed factory Ducati 999 to take two podiums in front of a
massive 80,000 crowd at Assen as Chris Vermeulen (Honda) scored maximum points
with the two wins.

Right on the pace from the start of the weekend, 24-year-old Toseland held the
flag high for the factory Ducati Xerox Team after team-mate Régis Laconi was
forced to miss this weekend’s ninth round of the championship due to his
high-side on Friday.

Starting from second on the grid, the reigning world champion was involved in a
thrilling five-rider battle in the early stages of the first race. Toseland then
fought for the runner-up slot with Haga (Yamaha), eventually getting the better
of his Japanese rival in the final couple of laps.

“That was hard work, it was a great battle and I’m sure it was exciting to
watch” Toseland said. “I always enjoy racing with Nori, we did the same here
last year. I knew I could do a good race after Friday and Saturday and I’m just
happy to be back on the podium after the disappointment of the last few weeks”.

Another fantastic battle in race 2 involving Vermeulen, Haga and Toseland could
have gone any way until the final few laps when the first two broke away and
Toseland settled for the final podium slot. But Toseland’s early race
performance was astonishing as he powered past Kagayama (Suzuki), Pitt (Yamaha)
and Haga at the same place, the final chicane, on successive laps to move into
the lead.

“I’ve just ridden one of the best races I’ve ever ridden to finish third but
fair play to Chris and Nori, they didn’t put a foot wrong. I know that because I
didn’t make a mistake either!” commented Toseland. “I was pushing right to the
end, losing the front, losing the rear, skipping about but I’m happy and that’s
the first time I’ve been happy with third for a while because I know I rode hard
and stuck my neck out. I’m just happy to have two podiums, which I’d like to
dedicate to my manager and close friend Roger Burnett and to the family of young
rider Chris Jones, who tragically got killed at Cadwell Park recently”.

RACE 1:

 1. Vermeulen (Honda)
 2. Toseland (Ducati Xerox)
 3. Haga (Yamaha)
 4. Corser (Suzuki)
 5. Pitt (Yamaha)
 6. Kagayama (Suzuki)
 7. Lanzi (Ducati SC)
 8. Neukirchner (Honda)

RACE 2:

 1. Vermeulen
 2. Haga
 3. Toseland
 4. Corser
 5. Pitt
 6. Lanzi
 7. Neukirchner
 8. Muggeridge

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after 9 of 12 rounds)

Riders
 1. Corser     370
 2. Vermeulen  284
 3. Laconi     214
 4. Haga       203
 5. Toseland   197
 6. Kagayama   187

Manufacturers
 1. Suzuki    379
 2. Honda     300
 3. Ducati    293
 4. Yamaha    244
 5. Kawasaki  145
 6. Petronas   25