DUCATI XEROX TEAM AT MAGNY-COURS: TOSELAND EDGED OFF THE FRONT ROW BY
LANZI – LACONI IN DIFFICULTY IN TENTH PLACE

Magny-Cours (France), Saturday 8 October: James Toseland produced a good lap in
Superpole qualifying for the final round of the World Superbike Championship at
Magny-Cours to finish fifth on the starting-grid for tomorrow’s two races. The
2004 world champion was on the front row for much of the session after
qualifying thirteenth but was then edged off by Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati SC
Caracchi) at the last moment.

“That wasn’t too bad, all things considered” said Toseland. “I got edged off the
front row by Lorenzo. It wasn’t a perfect lap by any means, but the 39.8 was
sensational by Chris. I’m a bit disappointed not to be on the front row, but
from fifth, with the way the weekend’s been going, with the changes we’ve been
making, I’ve got a chance of a good result for sure. We managed to sort most of
the problems out, just one problem with the rear setting that needs to be seen
to, but I’m quietly confident for tomorrow. I can get away with the leaders from
fifth on the grid and hang in there at the front”.

Régis Laconi was again in difficulty from his right arm and was unable to make
much headway on the second Ducati Xerox 999. The Frenchman, sixteenth after the
regular two sessions, ended the day in tenth position but was not optimistic
about tomorrow’s two races.

“That was a real surprise” declared Laconi. “Clearly with my arm I am just
unable to ride and it’ll be like that for the race. With all the changes in
direction and heavy braking I can’t ride the way I like. I can’t brake well
because my arm is hurting and I haven’t got any power in my arm. In this
condition I can’t do any good races because after a couple of laps I ’m in
difficulty. I can’t do much about that”.

STARTING-GRID:

 1. Vermeulen (Honda)           1m39.386s
 2. Lanzi (Ducati SC Caracchi)  1m40.349s
 3. Haga (Yamaha)               1m40.510s
 4. Muggeridge (Honda)          1m40.536s
 5. Toseland (Ducati Xerox)     1m40.981s
 6. Neukirchner (Honda)         1m41.043s
 7. Kagayama (Suzuki)           1m41.112s
 8. Pitt (Yamaha)               1m41.241s
 9. Walker (Kawasaki)           1m41.264s
10. Laconi (Ducati Xerox)       1m41.398s