Toseland is heading for
MotoGP next season and would like nothing better than to sign-off his WSBK adventure by claiming Honda's first title since
Colin Edwards - Toseland's 2008 team-mate - triumphed in a last round showdown of his own in 2002.
JT's first world title was also secured under the most dramatic of circumstances - the Englishman overturning Ducati team-mate
Regis Laconi's championship advantage, in front of the Frenchman's home fans, in the very last round of the 2004 season.
The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider returns to Magny-Cours in a much more confident position, having won eight races and taken six further podiums to build a 29 point lead over Max Biaggi, with
Noriyuki Haga - the third and final rider still with a mathematical chance of the championship - a further four points adrift.
Toseland's incredible 2004 Magny-Cours performance proved that he can take the pressure, although his race two accident last weekend at Vallelunga will surely be at the back of his mind and the 26-year-old admits it's been a rollercoaster of a season.
"This has been one of the most up and down rollercoaster rides of a championship that I've ever competed in," said James. "The pace at the front of World Superbikes this year has been incredible and it's been a pleasure racing against the two Troys, Nori, Max and the rest of the field. The racing has been fantastic, but I fly on Wednesday to France with only one intention - to win my second World Superbike Championship in Magny-Cours, where I secured the title in 2004."
"We are going into the final round 29 points ahead of our closest rival and that is a strong position to be in. There is a lot of pressure, but if we were in the same position as Biaggi or Haga we'd be feeling it a lot more!" insisted team manager Ronald ten Kate. "James' results at Magny-Cours are historically good and I know that he is determined to get the championship. Nobody can predict the results this weekend, but the determination and hard work is there and that is the best we can do."
First free practice at Magny-Cours takes place on Friday morning.
