James Toseland has been crowned the 2004 World Superbike champion after fin🧸ishing second to Noriyuki Haga in the final race of the season, at Magny𒈔 Cours.

Toseland came into today's two races 4-points behind factory Ducati team-mate Regis L༒aconi, but his race one victory - combined with a third for Laconi, behind Haga - gave the Brit a 5-point lead heading into the all decisive race two.

Pole sitter Troy Corser again grabbed the holeshot, but by end of ꧒the opening laps the Foggy Petronas rider had slipped behi𝕴nd the lead group of Toseland (who banged bars with Chris Vermeulen to take second into turn one) Haga, Vermeulen and Laconi.

Honda mounted Vermeulen would retire at half race distance, following further mecha𝐆nical woes, leaving the top three to decide the ⛄race and world championship.

Toseland would lead until Haga eventually passed the #52 in the closing stages of the 23 ꦆlap race, while Laconi - although always in touch with the top two - never rose above third and would slip away from the back of Toseland to finish 2.5secs adrift.

A clearly emotional Toseland has thus beco𝔉mes the youngest ever WSBK champion, at 23-years-old, after finishing 9-points clear of Laconi at the end of the eleven round 2004 series.

Laconi took sev꧒en wins to ♒Toseland's three, but the Frenchman but also suffered five DNFs to Toseland's three.

Meanwhile, Vermeulen's 🍨nightmare day has meant he has lost third in the championship to Noriyuki Haga. Haga finished 9-points behind Laconi and took six wins this se🧜ason, but also suffered five non-point scores.

Full race two results to follow...

Race two top ten:
1. Haga
2. Toseland
3. Laconi
4. Gimbert
5. Chili
6. Haslam
7. Corser
8. Walker
9. McCoy
10. Nowland