"I had a difficult round at the first race in Qatar, where I had a massive crash. I wasn't injured but I did feel a bit battered about," declared Toseland. "Now I've had a chance to go back home and sort my head out a bit, I'm now looking forward to this second round at Phillip Island, where you'll see me as determined as ever.
"We had a good race here last year although hopefully you won't see as much tyre-smoking from me! Phillip Island always produces exciting racing and those last two curves are quite demanding on the tyres. I've been fast round there in the past, and after the Valencia testing we have found a decent setting on the bike, so I will go out there and hopefully have a bit more luck than we had have so far this season."
After an excellent start to the 2005 campaign at Losail, the factory Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki team are best placed of all on the eve of round two. Current championship leader, after a superb win and a second place, is WSBK new regular rider,
Yukio Kagayama.
“Phillip Island is not an easy track, but I like it a lot!” he commented. “It is a challenge for sure, but when you put in a good lap, it is a very good feeling. Troy-san has been round it many times, so he has a lot more circuit knowledge then me, but I was not so far behind at the tests and I know I can make progress. Last year, I was not involved in the World Superbike Championship, so I did not race here, but that is not a problem for me.”
Alongside him in the Suzuki squad is Qatar podium finisher
Troy Corser, the 1996 World Superbike champion and a former Phillip Island race winner in his own right.
