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Monday, 4th October 2004

James Toseland was crowned the 2004 World Superbike champion after a tense title showdown at Magny-Cours on Sunday, which ended with the #52 becoming the third British rider to take the SBK crown after Carl Fogarty and Neil Hodgson.

"There has been a little bit more pressure within the Ducati garage over the past few races with the two of us fighting for the title but that is normal," added the #55. "It is the first time also for Ducati to have both riders in with a chance of winning the title and it is not an easy solution for the team too, but all of Ducati did a fantastic job, they are world champions, I am not this year but thank you to them anyway."

Ducati Corse are yet to confirm their 2005 factory line-up, while Laconi and Supersport rider Lanzi will now head to the USA to compete in the season ending round of the AMA Superbike championship.

Ten Kate Honda's Chris Vermeulen, the only other rider with a realistic chance of title victory, suffered two mechanical DNFs, dropping him to fourth in the series.

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