World Superbike championship leader James Toseland is aiming to bounce back from his first double defeat of the season - last time out at Monza - by taking his first ever double victory, in front of his home fans at Silverstone.
The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider looked set to clinch the perfect 1-1 sweep at the first British round of the season, at
Donington Park on April 1, but was cruelly denied a race two victory when his CBR1000RR suffered an electrical problem.
Toseland was then robbed of an Assen double by just 0.009secs, after a last gasp pass by Troy Bayliss, as JT's 50% win rate stretched to five rounds. But that victory run finally ended at Monza, when a perfect weekend for
Noriyuki Haga saw the Japanese charge to a dominant double - handing him second in the championship.
Whilst Haga is still some 32 points behind Toseland, the Englishman will be keen to crush Nitro Nori's growing confidence this weekend at Silverstone, as the 2007 series reaches its halfway point.
"I got two podiums at
Silverstone last year and I am definitely looking to equal that this year," declared James, the 2004 world champion. "Of course I am aiming for the double win - that is always the aim - but to get it in front of the home crowd would be awesome. I have come so close this year, but each time it has just been out of my reach. Anyway, whatever happens I know I will enjoy the racing because the home events are always good. I just hope I can give the fans what they want."
"We are coming to
Silverstone with high hopes despite last year's results, where we only managed to get two third places with James," added team manager Ronald ten Kate. "His racing pace last year was quite good and now that we have the traction control I think the result can be better. James is still riding well and there should be no lack of motivation in front of his home crowd."
Meanwhile, Toseland's team-mate
Roberto Rolfo enjoyed a breakthrough race day in front of his own home fans at Monza; the Italian looking set for a debut
WSBK podium in race one, before running of fuel on then last lap, then taking his best finish yet with a fourth in race two.
"After Monza I feel like we have finally found a set-up that I feel comfortable with," explained Rolfo. "The feeling on the bike was great and I was able to contend with the front runners for the first time this year. I am happy with the progress I have made over the last couple of rounds and I want to thank the team once again for their support and the way they have really listened to my needs. I am looking forward to racing at
Silverstone and can't wait to get out on the track."
"Roberto Rolfo has definitely picked up the pace," declared ten Kate. "It started at Assen with his best result of the season and continued at Monza. A little disaster stuck in race one that kept him off the podium, but he showed in race two that he is more than capable of running at the front. We are hoping to carry this on at Silverstone."
