Second for Toseland

James Toseland secured second in the World Superbike Championship with a race win and a third at the thrilling final round in France.

The Winston Ten Kate Honda rider had gone into the two races at Magny-Cours leading Japanese rival Nori Haga by two points in the standings. But Toseland made sure of second in the final points table behind new champion Troy Bayliss on the Ducati Xerox bike with a fantastic first race win and another podium finish second time out in France.

Toseland said: "It just feels great to finish second in the championship. It's well deserved for the Ten Kate team. I've had a great season to finish second in the World Superbike Championship. I hope to go one better next year."

Toseland won a four-way battle for the race one win from Haga, the Alstare Suzuki Corona machine of Troy Corser and his fellow Australian Bayliss.

The lead was exchanged several times as the leading group pulled away from the chasing pack and it was only in the final seconds that Toseland held enough advantage to cross the line just ahead of Haga, Corser and Bayliss.

A delighted Toseland said: "It's a big battle for second in the championship and we both wanted the win so badly. I'm just so pleased to make my third win of the season."

Fellow Briton Chris Walker finished sixth on the PSG1 Kawasaki but Craig Jones was 17th on the Foggy Petronas FP1.

Toseland looked set to repeat his win in race two after he pulled away from Haga along with Corser and Bayliss. But late in the race Bayliss made his move on first Corser and then Toseland to take the race win.

Corser got the better of the scrap for second as Toseland settled for third ahead of a distant Haga.

Walker was eighth to place ninth in the final standings but Jones failed to finish the race.