Bayliss Denies Toseland's Maiden Double

“The Cathedral” could have been the place where James Toseland scored his first ever double in World Superbike. Reigning champion Troy Bayliss had other plans, though, as the Australian clinched victory in Race 2 of the Assen event by only 0.009 seconds. Bayliss took advantage of a last-moment mistake from the British rider and out-bettered Toseland in the last straight, taking his 2nd win of the season and climbing up to 4th in overall standings.

James Toseland started the weekend with a powerful performance in Saturday's Superpole and continued his great form in Race 1 of the Dutch event. The Honda rider led most of the 22 laps and went on to win the first race, despite some strong competition from Yamaha's Noriyuchi Haga. The Japanese, who was looking for his 2nd win of the season, managed to cross the finish line in 2nd place, despite starting from 15th on the grid. Third came last event's hero Ruben Xaus, who was gifted his second podium of the season after Troy Corser's crash in the penultimate lap.

Race 2 saw the same Toseland eager to score a perfect weekend in Netherlands, as the British rider took control of the race from its early beginning. Unlike Race 1, Troy Bayliss' Ducati managed to keep the peace with Toseland's Honda and the two started to fight for the lead in a wheel to wheel battle. The final few laps saw last year's title contenders changing lead repeatedly and it was very clear that it would take a photo finish to separate the two.

Toseland seemed to be in control as he came into the last lap, but Bayliss never gave up the fight. And, just as it appeared that Toseland would fulfill his long-lasting dream of winning two WSBK races in the same weekend, Bayliss pulled the rabbit out of the hat and overtook the Briton in the last chicane of the circuit. As the long straight was to follow, Ducati's impressive power proved decisive in giving the Australian something to cheer for at the end of the race.

Max Biaggi had to settle for third at the end, as his Suzuki was unable to keep the pressure on the leading duo throughout the race. Haga was unable to match his performance in Race 1 due to mechanical problems and had to retire on Lap 11. By that time, the Japanese had managed another impressive comeback, as his Yamaha had helped him clinch the lead of Race 2, despite starting 15th on the grid.

“I have mixed feelings today - I am gutted that I couldn't get the double win for the team at their home race. I was pushing so hard out there but Troy Bayliss is a tough man to beat and he just wasn't going to let that go. I made a mistake on that last chicane and went to deep on the brakes and he just got past me. Fair play to the man - that was an incredible race. Anyway, I have two more podiums under my belt, plus another race win and I am still leading the standings so I can't really complain. I will keep trying though - I want that double before the end of the year”, said Toseland at the end of the race.

The British rider extended his lead in the Point Standings, as Max Biaggi only managed 6th and 3rd respectively at Assen. Toseland is now top of the table by 32 points, while Biaggi added 6 points to secure his 2nd place by a 20-point margin, ahead of Japanese Noriyuki Haga.

As for Bayliss, the Ducati rider expressed both joy and disappointment over how thing worked out during the Dutch event: “It was an incredible race and there was lots of action. I take my hat off to James, he's riding stronger and is getting more and more confident all the time. I'm happy to take a win but I'm also very frustrated because in the first race I thought I could possibly have taken a win and we really struggled in the last six laps with the front tire”. The Australian is now 4th in Point Standings, as he put 14 points ahead of countryman Troy Corser.