Toseland, Laconi re-sign for Ducati.

Ducati Corse has confirmed that 2004 World Superbike champion James Toseland will stay with the factory team to defend his title next season - and will again be joined by Frenchman Regis Laconi.

"This past week has been brilliant, first winning the MCN Man of the Year award and then having my position with Ducati Corse confirmed for 2005," smiled James.

"It's fantastic to start the season with the same team that I won the championship with and I'm hoping that our relationship will continue to be as successful.

"I learned an awful lot last year and I feel confident about retaining the world championship. I can't wait to get started," he concluded.

"I am very happy to be reconfirmed by Ducati, this is what I wanted," declared Laconi, who lost out to Toseland at the final round. "Next year I will try and win the championship for sure, I came very close this year but unfortunately I made some mistakes, even though I was nearly always the quickest rider out on the track... c'est la vie!

"It's sure to be more difficult next year but I know that Ducati will be working harder than ever over the winter to prepare an even more competitive bike for the 2005 season," he added.

Toseland and Laconi will be in action on November 16-18, during three days of testing at Valencia.