James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) scored his third race win of the 2006 season in the first 23-lap event at Magny-Cours, and after a third place in race two he confirmed his second place in the overall championship rankings, on 336 points. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) equalled his season best result of sixth in race two, despite a fall in race one. He finishes his season 12th overall, on 123 points.
Race one was the property of Toseland, but only after a superb four-way fight for the win, in a race delayed by an oil spill shortly after the start of the abortive first leg. Muggeridge was luckless once more, falling after a bright start in among the leading group. In the second race, Toseland led from the fifth to the 20th lap, in another astonishing fight for supremacy on the day with eventual race two winner, Troy Bayliss, and second place rider Troy Corser. James was forced to reduce his pace or risk a crash on the final lap, as he secured his 12th podium of the year. Muggeridge had been the fight for his first SBK podium finish in race two, but a slide and the sheer pace up front forced him to sixth.
Ronald Ten Kate - Team Manager“I think that everyone agrees that this was wonderful racing, exciting in both legs. No matter if you come out as a winner or in third, it was a lot of fun to watch. In the first race, we won it, but in the second race James was riding hot again, let's say, but in the few last laps Bayliss made a very strong push and pulled a bit of a gap. James was also considering second place overall. But it was fun and good to watch, and I saw a lot of respect between some great sportsmen; they were exchanging paint but always fair and square. If the end of this year promises what we can have next year, we will have a fantastic 2007. For Karl, he could hang in there strongly with the leading group in the first laps of race two, until Bayliss passed him and they touched. After that he made a small mistake and lost the tow to the leading group. As far as riding line-up is concerned, we can only confirm James, and we are working on some other deals. We all probably have to wait until the end of next week.”
James Toseland - (1st and 3rd - 336 points)“You could tell from the last few races that Haga and I both wanted second place in the championship badly, so it was good to take my third win of the season in race one - and I had to think about the championship placing in race two. The racing was fantastic today and to finish the season second was our goal coming here. There was a bit of contact from time to time but we are all used to it now - we've been racing together for years now I have to thank the team for all their support this year and the Fireblade is working great.”
Karl Muggeridge - (DNF and 6th - 123 points)“In both races I had a good rhythm but I made a mistake in race one and fell. In race two I was with the fastest riders bit at one stage I lost a few tenths, due to a mistake and I could not pick it up. I know they had a good fight. Sixth place is not too bad but still not what I wanted which was to step on the podium. I have to thank the team for all their support this year.”
2006 World Standing: 1. Bayliss - Ducati - 431 points
2. Toseland - Winston Ten Kate Honda - 336 points
3. Haga - Yamaha - 326 points
4. Corser - 254 points
5. Pitt - Yamaha - 250 points
12. Muggeridge - Winston Ten Kate Honda - 123 points
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