James Toseland joins Ten Kate Honda in World SBK

Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
October 25 2005

The former World Superbike number 1 James Toseland has now signed to ride for the Ten Kate Honda team for the 2006 season. After a disappointing 2005 season, and taking only one win at Silverstone this year, Ducati released James.

Ten Kate offered James the ride aboard the Honda, which was vacated by Chris Vermeulen, who is reportedly going to the MotoGP series - but as yet his ride has not been confirmed.

Former World Champion Troy Bayliss replaces James at the Ducati Xerox team, alongside Lorenzo Lanzi, who replaces former Ducati Xerox rider Régis Laconi.

James was the youngest ever rider to win the WSBK crown, and was hoping to go into the MotoGP series in 2006, and hopefully the ride with Ten Kate will afford him this in 2007.

Chris Vermeulen, who will almost undoubtedly be aboard the Camel Honda in the final round of the MotoGP series next month, has been reported to have already been offered a ride by Camel Honda - but recent reports are stating that, with Kenny Roberts Jr being released from his Suzuki ride, that Chris has indeed signed to ride for them next year.

Many rumours abound at this time of the year, but nevertheless with James now being confirmed that he has indeed signed for Ten Kate, where does this leave Chris? Only time will tell, and team principal Sito Pons for Camel Honda has certainly been impressed by Chris this year, but nothing as yet is confirmed.

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