As a stage for final act dramas and pivotal moments in several WorldSBK seasons the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours is almost peerless . So often this event - frequently the final one in Europe or of the entire racing year - has delivered a coup de theatre of epic proportions . From a single year beginning way back in 1991 to an unbroken run of participations for WorldSBK and its attendant classes since the track redesign of 2003 onwards , Magny-Cours has become a quiet legend inside the WorldSBK paddock . Some circuits are more glamorous , few offer more on track spectacle . It is one of these circuits where unexpected things happen . Things have a habit of happening . Who can forget James Toseland becoming World Champion for the first time in 2004 when everybody - including Ducati and the luckless Regis Laconi - expected it to be Regis ? Toseland was so overcome by the momentous achievement of his life ’ s ambition that he even went AWOL for while , having to go back to his nearby hotel to get himself together before facing the world properly . Sometimes the changeable autumnal weather in the absolute epicentre of France is more than a bit part player . On a happy note for the local fans , who can forget race day dawning wet for the penultimate round of the 2014 World Championship ? And all those controversial team orders … Sylvain Guintoli had been doing a rain dance to help him claw his way back into contention in the WorldSBK title fight after making up masses of points on seemingly surefire champion Tom Sykes . The