Brands Hatch World Superbikes: James Toseland battles it out to go fastest in qualifying one

Britain’s James Toseland was back on the pace for the first qualifying practice session this afternoon following a scintillating battle with Ducati Xerox rider Troy Bayliss at Brands Hatch.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland and Troy Bayliss were dicing at the top of the timesheets for most of the session, with Toseland winning this battle with a best time of 1:26.400.

The initial pace was set by Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga who was first to the top of the timesheets with a 1:27.492. But James Toseland was soon in the reckoning recording a 1:27.564 with Team Sterilgarda’s Ruben Xaus with a pacey 1:27.806 in third before knocking more than 0.7secs off his time.

And not wanting to miss out at the top Australian Troy Corser jumped up several places for third with his 1:27.442 after eight minutes. He was soon knocked down to fourth as Lorenzo Lanzi posted a 1:27.229 on his Ducati.

James Toseland improved on his time by 0.8secs as the battle with Troy Bayliss commenced. Ducati’s Bayliss answered straight back with a 1:26.717 before Toseland recorded a 1:26.707.

But neither rider was done with the competition with Bayliss then recording a 1:26.625 seconds later, this would be enough for second by the end of the session.

James Toseland improved on his time twice in the last five minutes to end with a best time of 1:26.400 to top the timesheets.

Troy Corser also continued to improve finishing with a 1:26.746 on the Kent circuit.

Ruben Xaus was a late faller, coming off at Stirlings at the end of the session. He was not hurt.