When main rival Bayliss fell heavily in race one at
Donington Park, round three, badly injuring his groin and forcing the amputation of a finger in the process, Toseland's title capacity was left in no doubt - despite being robbed of a potential double victory when his CBR1000RR suffered technical problems while holding a clear lead in race two. It would be Toseland's only non-score of the season.
Although unable to match Toseland's relentless points haul, Biaggi had followed up his dream Qatar debut with one podium at each of the next four rounds, keeping him in second position until his first home round as a WSBK rider, held at Monza in Italy.
It was an emotional homecoming for Biaggi, although on paper he faced his biggest challenge yet - Monza being the first circuit Biaggi hadn't previously raced at in
MotoGP. Third and fifth for Max was a creditable performance on a day when all - including Toseland - were blown away by
Noriyuki Haga.
Nitro Nori suffered a quiet start to the season, and was initially in the shadow of new team-mate Corser, but took his first podium of the year at Phillip Island race two, then his first win when Toseland retired at Donington Park. However, Monza was a breakthrough weekend for the popular Japanese, who dominated both races to snatch second in the points from Biaggi, while the ever-present Toseland took 4-2 finishes.
With seven rounds to go, the championship standings read; Toseland, Haga (-35), Biaggi (-38) and Bayliss (-65) - the same order as the eventual final world championship classification, but there was plenty of drama still to come.
Despite his early season injury, and lack of top speed relative to the four-cylinders, Bayliss typically refused to admit defeat and provided hope of a miracle comeback with a three-race mid-season win streak, which began in the pouring rain of
Silverstone.
