Bennetts-backed world champion secures top ten honour

The BBC has today announced its ten-person shortlist for the 2007 Sports Personality of the Year accolade - and Bennetts-backed James Toseland has made the grade. The 2007 World Superbike Champion has enjoyed unprecedented success this year with his first ever double win on home soil at Brands Hatch in the summer and the overall championship victory for the second time in his career.

The 27-year-old Yorkshireman is now relying on fans' votes to give him a strong chance of gaining the national honour of being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. As the only motorcycle racer in contention for the prestigious title, James faces strong competition from popular sporting heroes including Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Lewis Hamilton and Paula Radcliffe.

Voting opens today and does not close until the evening of the final event on Sunday 9 December. The register votes for James, please visit www.bbc.co.uk for further details.

Bennetts - the UK's number 1 for bike insurance* - secured personal sponsorship of James midway through the 2007 racing season and have already pledged to continue supporting the double world champion in his 2008 MotoGP campaign. The Isle of Man resident is currently the only British rider confirmed for the starting grid of the premier class of motorcycle racing next year.

"We have enjoyed a fantastic season with James," says Bennetts Marketing Director, Mark Fells. "He is a genuinely nice guy and an exceptional motorcycle racer. For him to end the year with this additional achievement would be unprecedented in the motorcycle industry, so it would be great to see him receive some much deserved support and put motorcycling firmly on the map in the UK."

*Based upon independent research conducted in July 2006.

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For further information please contact Joanne Cooper on 01733 374960 or email joanne.cooper@bennetts.co.uk



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Riders No Longer 'Getting their Kicks' on Route 66

Oz becomes dream biking destination

Stretching more than 250 miles and running along the coastline of south-east Australia, the Great Ocean Road has become the ultimate destination for bikers to visit according to research released today by Bennetts, the UK's number one for motorbike insurance*.

Taking over traditional biking locations such as Route 66 and the Ho Chi Minh Trail, 27% of UK motorcyclists dream of taking in the sights Down Under. Australia's Great Ocean Road is now the ultimate location for bikers to visit with world-famous landmarks including Twelve Apostles and the Otways Rainforest to see en route.

The iconic Route 66 is still a popular choice with 22% of bikers dreaming of crossing America on the country's most famous highway. At 2,450 miles, it runs from California to Chicago and is the second dream destination for UK bikers. In third place, one in six bikers are keen to tackle Vietnam's legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail and 11% of UK bikers would like to enter the off-road endurance race from Paris to Dakar.

The research reveals bikers are desperate to get away from the British roads and dreary weather with less than one percent of riders opting for a trip around the notorious tarmac of Donnington Park or around The Isle of Man, home of the famous TT race. The only British route to make it into the top five is riding the 875 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats that received 7% of votes and comes in fifth place.

Marketing Director of Bennetts, Mark Fells, said of the findings, "All riders have a dream location or road that they hope to tackle on their bike. From Australia and America to Vietnam, the UK's bikers are clearly keen to get out and see as much of the world as possible on their bike."

Top 5 Dream Biking Locations:
1. Australia - Ocean Road
2. America - Route 66
3. Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh Trail
4. France - Paris to Dakar Rally
5. UK - Lands End to John O'Groats



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For further information please contact Katie Raven, Emily Dwiar or Barbara Feeney at Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email bennetts@frankpr.it