Valencia 07; Hannspree Honda Preview
Added on Sunday, April 8th, 2007 by Carole Nash Editor
Valencia 07; Hannspree Honda Preview
Following a weekend of mixed fortunes at Donington Park, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda heads to the fourth round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship with its series lead in tact. The event will take place in Valencia this weekend and both James Toseland and Roberto Rolfo are fighting fit and ready to race.
Toseland will arrive at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit with the aim of increasing the five-point gap between himself and closest rival Max Biaggi. Having suffered a set-back at Donington Park when his CBR1000RR cut-out on the third lap of race two, the British rider is more determined than ever to prove his title-winning ability in Valencia.
Team-mate Roberto Rolfo put in two strong performances in the UK to prove once again that he has the potential to rise into the top six in the ultra-competitive championship. The Italian moved from 16th place on the grid to ninth in the first race and from 15th to seventh in the second to secure his highest finish to date and ninth place overall in the standings.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
“Although at Donington we didn’t get the results we deserved, we still maintained the lead in the championship and we will be working hard to improve this further in Valencia. James is riding really well at the moment and we are still making small improvements to the bike race by race. Roby has successfully adapted his riding style to suit the CBR1000RR so hopes are high to have both the riders running up the front at Valencia. At the winter testing in Valencia we improved a lot on our previous lap times at the track, so we see no reason why we shouldn’t do well at the weekend.”
James Toseland:
“It was tough in Donington to go from the joy of winning the first race to not finishing the second, but I’ll be putting in all behind me and concentrating on the job we have to do in Valencia. I’m still leading the championship and that is where I said I wanted to be after Donington and I’ll say the same again – I want to leave Spain! as the series leader and that is the goal for the whole team.”
