Toseland wins Race 1

James Toseland has got off to a winning start at the European round of WSB today (April 1) at Donington.

The Sheffield rider started well, taking Laconi for second at McLeans on the opening lap and setting off after early pace setter Troy Bayliss.

Bayliss set the new lap record on lap four with a 1.31.58 after beating the old time on lap two, and James Toseland then beating his lap time on the next circulation.

However, disaster struck for Bayliss on lap five when he highsided out of Coppice while leading, putting him out of the race and the rest of the weekend with a damaged finger on his right hand.

Toseland took the lead and developed a good gap over the chasing three of Laconi, Xaus and Corser, and confidently circulated on his own at the front.

Corser pushed his way through to second and stayed there till the flag, and as Laconi dropped back Max Biaggi surged through to third and the final spot on the podium.

Further back, Nori Haga put in a consistent run of 1.32’s to finish fourth in front of Lanzi and Nieto, while Ruben Xaus dented his strong performance by crashing at Craners with just one lap to go.

Toseland now stretches his lead at the top of the championship to 25 points ahead of Max Biaggi.

RESULTS

1. Toseland
2. Corser
3. Biaggi
4. Haga
5. Lanzi
6. Nieto
7. Laconi
8. Neukirchner
9. Rolfo
10. Smrz
11. Muggeridge
12. Brookes
13. Fabrizio
14. Bussei
15. Ellison GBR
16. Morelli

18. Zanotti GBR