From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) AIMING FOR THE TOP AT SILVERSTONE WORLD SUPERBIKE ROUND

Silverstone (UK), Tuesday 8 June 2004: James Toseland heads back home for the first of the two British rounds of the 2004 World Superbike championship at Silverstone this weekend with a slender lead of two points over his Ducati Fila team-mate, Frenchman Regis Laconi.

Although Laconi has outgunned the 22 year-old from Sheffield by 5 wins to 1 so far this season, Toseland’s consistency, which has brought him five second places (including four in the last four races) has been paying off and the youngster finds himself leading the points table as the World Superbike regulars reach the mid-point of the 11-round series.

We caught up with the championship leader as he arrived at Silverstone for his thoughts on the season so far.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO GO BACK TO BRITAIN FOR YOUR HOME ROUND IN THE LEAD OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

“I’m really looking forward to it. We didn’t have such a good run in the second race at Oschersleben but we certainly got the bike working much better so I’m looking forward to riding at Silverstone. We’ve had a few problems up to now and consistency has meant that I’m leading the championship but now it’s time to win some races and I can’t see any better place to do it than Silverstone in front of my home crowd.”

YOU SEEM TO HAVE SORTED OUT THE FRONT END PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAD IN THE EARLY RACES. IS THAT THE CASE?

“We had a good run in Germany and were on the pace much of the weekend. Unfortunately we had some minor problems in the second race and were unable to challenge at the front, but I’m not worried and I feel sure we’ll have a good run at Silverstone.”

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT FOR YOU?

“I really like the track, it’s a lot more faster and flowing than many other tracks. It’s a car circuit, quite flat, with not much undulation. It’s certainly exciting, there was good racing last year so let’s hope it’ll be the same again this year.”

DOES SILVERSTONE LEND ITSELF TO BIKES VERY WELL?

“For viewing it’s not as good as a place like Brands Hatch, but for actual racing as it’s so wide it’s always good for close racing and that’s why the spectators enjoy it so much because there are always half-a-dozen of us in the pack.”

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE TRICKIEST POINT OF THE CIRCUIT AT SILVERSTONE?

“The worst bit is the last section, the last chicane and the right-hander coming up to it. Just because you’ve been going so fast around the rest of the circuit and then have to go round that, you feel so slow so that’s where you probably have to be most disciplined.”

SO WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY, WHERE WOULD YOUR FAVOURITE OVERTAKING POINTS BE?

“Anywhere where anyone shows me a gap!”

YOU’VE HAD PLENTY OF SECONDS BUT NO WINS SINCE VALENCIA. WHAT’S THE RACE STRATEGY GOING TO BE AT SILVERSTONE?

“Keep the consistency but it would be nice to be consistently winning rather than consistently second. We’re not far off and a win is on the cards this weekend. I aim to win the races, you’ve got to beat everybody, it doesn’t matter who’s around you.”

JAMES TOSELAND FACTFILE: Born: October 5th, 1980 in Sheffield (UK). Status: Single. Hobbies: Training, motocross, playing the piano.

2004 season: Team: Ducati Fila. Bike: Ducati 999F04. Number: 52.

World Superbike Career 2001-2004: Races: 84. Wins: 2. Podiums: 17. Poles: 1. Fastest Laps: –

Championship Positions: 2001: 13th 2002: 7th 2003: 3rd