James Toseland has been crowned the 2004 World Superbike champion after finishing second to🗹 Noriyuki Haga in the final race of the season, at Magny Cours.

Toseland came into today's two races 4-points 𓃲behind factory Ducati team-mate Regis Laconi, b🌠ut 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 th♔e holeshot, but by end of the opening laps the Foggy Petronas rider had slipped behind the lead group of Toseland (who ba൩nged bars with Chris Vermeulen to take second into turn one) Haga, Vermeulen and Laconi.

Honda mounted Vermeulen would retire at half race𒉰 distance, following further mechanical 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 lap race, while Laconi - although always in touch with the top two - never rose above third and would slip away from the bac𓂃k of Tos🔯eland to finish 2.5secs adrift.

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

Laconi took seven 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 sea𒈔son, 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