Although
Regis Laconi was forced to sit out the weekends two races injured,
James Toseland ensured the weekend ended on a high for the Xerox Ducati team as he picked up a double podium finish in the latest round of the Alstare Corona Extra World Superbike Championship at Assen.
On the pace from the start of the weekend, the 24-year-old reigning champion qualified second on the grid and was involved in a thrilling five-rider battle in the early stages of the first race. Toseland then fought for the runner-up slot with
Noriyuki Haga, eventually getting the better of his Japanese rival in the final couple of laps as
Chris Vermeulen took victory.
"That was hard work, it was a great battle and I'm sure it was exciting to watch," Toseland said afterwards. "I always enjoy racing with Nori, we did the same here last year. I knew I could do a good race after Friday and Saturday and I'm just happy to be back on the podium after the disappointment of the last few weeks."
Another fantastic battle in race two involving Vermeulen, Haga and Toseland could have gone any way until the final few laps when the first two broke away and Toseland settled for the final podium slot.
"I've just ridden one of the best races I've ever ridden to finish third but fair play to Chris and Nori, they didn't put a foot wrong - I know that because I didn't make a mistake either!" he said afterwards. "I was pushing right to the end, losing the front, losing the rear, skipping about but I'm happy and that's the first time I've been happy with third for a while because I know I rode hard and stuck my neck out.
"I'm just happy to have two podiums, which I'd like to dedicate to my manager and close friend Roger Burnett and to the family of young rider Chris Jones, who tragically got killed at Cadwell Park recently."
