Haga failed to fully capitalise on
James Toseland's race two fall at Vallelunga last Sunday and, while gaining eight points on the Briton, the popular Japanese still slipped from second to third in the standings, behind Suzuki's Max Biaggi.
All three have a mathematical chance of taking the title this weekend, with Toseland the overwhelming favourite due to his 29 point advantage over Biaggi, while Haga will start 33 points from the Ten Kate Honda rider. 50 points are still available, split equally between the two races.
But things are far closer in the manufacturers' championship, with Honda only three points in front of Yamaha heading into Magny-Cours - a circuit where Haga has impressed in the past, having won a race in 2004 and finished second and fourth last season.
"Magny-Cours is going to be a real animal fight for the win," warned Haga. "Toseland, Biaggi, Bayliss, Corser and I are all looking at that top step with determination. It's going to come down to who wants it the most and who has the best set-up. But I plan to spoil everyone else's party!"
Team-mate
Troy Corser might be out of championship contention, but he's fired up for his last opportunity to win a race this year.
"I've gone well on all the other bikes I've ridden [at Magny-Cours] and Nori's shown how well the Yamaha can go at Magny-Cours so it should be a good combination!" commented Corser. "Of course I'm going there looking to win, I'm hungry for one before the end of the season. Vallelunga was a bit of a mixed bag for me with a DNF in race one and a fourth in race two. I'm keen to move on from that and end 2007 on a positive note. What could be better than giving Yamaha the manufacturer title!"
