WORLD SUPERBIKES News Wednesday, 19th April 2006
Toseland: Bayliss will have to fight me for it.
2006 Corona Extra World Superbike championship leader Troy Bayliss may have been on devastating form during recent testing at Valencia and Misano - but James Toseland is still just 1-point behind the Australian and has no intention of letting the Ducati Xerox rider cruise to victory in this weekend's races at Valencia.
"I really believe in my chances at this race, although I know Bayliss will be really fast, as in the test, and Corser and Haga will also be strong," declared the Winston Ten Kate Honda rider. "But I'm really motivated and concentrated and want to stay at the top after a great start to the season. Bayliss only has a one point advantage and I don't have any intention to let him get away... I'm sorry Karl won't race in Valencia and I wish the best of luck to my new team-mate Giovanni."
As Toseland indicated, Ten Kate will be without Karl Muggeridge this weekend - after the Australian injured his back during testing at the same circuit - with Giovanni Bussei subsequently drafted in as his replacement. However, of more immediate concern to Toseland might be his team's decision not to attend last week's Misano test - although team manager Ronald Ten Kate insists that the lack of track time won't prove a disadvantage.
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We decided to not to participate in the Misano test because we needed to work on the bike and the engine in our racing department," explained the Dutchman. "In the pre-season test at Valencia we obtained positive feedback and were constantly in the top four or five with a race set-up, therefore we preferred to concentrate on other priorities. I am sure that James will be one of the protagonists in the race while I am sorry Karl will not be with us: he has been with us for four years and it will be strange to not see him around the box. But I fully believe in Bussei, who could give us a nice surprise."
Bussei (lower pic) will be starting his first WSBK race since being injured in the 2005 season finale at Magny Cours - and is eager to make the most of a great chance.
"I am really happy to be able to compete with the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team and I am aware that I will ride one of the top bikes," said the Italian. "It will be hard because I have to get used to the race rhythm but of course I will do all I can to payback the trust that has been given to me. It will be nice to be James' team-mate, even if only for one weekend, and for this I want to thank the team and the sponsors."
First qualifying at Valencia takes place on Friday.
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