Exclusive Interview
At the end of the toughest season to date for James Toseland we caught up with World Superbike Champion (2004 and 2007) to talk racing, music and retirement.
Bennetts-sponsored Toseland was dramatically forced to retire from professional motorbike racing after a testing accident in March 2011. The accident resulted in a dislocated wrist and damaged ligaments and left Toseland with limited movement in his right wrist.
1. Other than the obvious two World Championships, is there another particular highlight of your racing career that you look back on fondly?
“There are a couple. Being on the podium for World Superbike races were really proud moments and also my performance at Assen. Overtaking the best motorbike racer ever, Valentino Rossi, was a highlight too. If I look at where I came from, to where I am now, I realise how much I have achieved.”
2. Bennetts has supported your career since 2007 and over the years you've been involved with Track Days, competitions, signing sessions and you’ve even had a day at the call centre during that time. How has that personal support felt?
“Bennetts has been so great to work with, they’ve really supported me. What I really like about Bennetts is how much it gives back to customers through competitions. Recently I was at Bennetts Ultimate Track Day - at the Snetterton race track - with Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding, which Bennetts put on for 100 competition winners. To organise these events for such a wide range of people, whether they’ve just passed their test or have been biking for years, is really rare. I met a guy who had just bought his first bike two weeks before and by the end of the day, he couldn’t get enough.
“I spoke to a few riders who were a bit nervous about the 180 mph track speeds but I told them that when you’re out on the track where everything is so far away, it doesn’t seem as fast.”
3. What’s next for you? You've been involved with 'Crash' for a while now, is that something that might step up a gear? Or are there opportunities with existing racing teams as a consultant/test rider/representative?
“I won’t be a test rider because I am not going to be quick enough to be. I have spoken to BMW about an ambassador role but will definitely be looking forward to doing more work with my band Crash. I’m lucky enough that I’ve already achieved so much and I’m only 31, so I’m young enough to work towards other achievements.”
4. James has been going out with pop-star Katie Melua, for the past seven months so we asked: Any thoughts about a duet with Katie?!
“Katie is such a professional and so I would never put anything like that on her as it would only be a gimmick if I suggested it. It’s surprising how many people thought that we would though.
“I do tell her that she should change the title of her track, Bicycles to ‘Motor-bicycles’!”
We also asked James a selection of the best Facebook questions submitted on the Bennetts page.
Neil Ashton: Do you regret moving into MotoGP in 2008 instead of staying to dominate WSBK further?
“I don’t regret moving to MotoGP. I had a great time at World Superbikes but I always strive to better myself and performance so a move to MotoGP was always going to be something I had to do.”
Judith Ogston, Kelly Francis, Katie Jarvis and Jen Watson: Now you have retired from bike racing, are you going to concentrate on music now or do you still want to stay involved in racing; a behind the scenes or management role maybe?
“Getting into management in the current economic climate is really tough. A young rider called Danny Kent asked if he could run my number 52 but it just wasn’t the right time for me to manage him. I will be keeping an eye on him as he’s definitely one to watch. Nowadays, new riders have to find £200,000 funding before they can even get to compete. Without a sponsor, you would start off in negative equity before you hit the race track. Most motorcyclists are from working class backgrounds like me. Without my sponsorship when I was starting out, it would have been much tougher.”
Reni Tomozi: If you were to manage a team, what bike would you choose?
“Well BMW is a great company to work with as they have loads of assets. They are not solely reliant on bike sales and so the quality of its bikes is never compromised.
I would always pick the most competitive bike, whichever one is best that year, which isn’t always easy as they’re developing all the time. If I was to pick now it would be a BMW as it’s one of the safest with loads of gadgets too.”
Stewart Johnson: Who cuts your hair?
“[Laughs] I regularly get my hair cut by a friend in the Isle of Man, in Douglas, who’s really good. I did try somewhere in Westfield, London the other day. Katie had a black tie event that we were going to so I thought ‘I better get it cut’! He was pretty good too so I’m sure I’ll go back there when I’m in London.”
Colin Monaghan: Will you continue to ride for pleasure or have you decided to you’re your leathers in the wardrobe for good? Remind him not to hide away as there are thousands of fans who still want a chat and a brew.
“Yeah I’m unfortunately hanging them up for a bit and so I don’t even have a motorbike at the moment. My retirement only seems like yesterday and I’m still getting over my frustrations from my injury. I think that if you ride with frustrations, it can be very dangerous, so it’s not advisable.
I’m just glad I had the opportunity to win when I did. Some people, who were around when I started my career, didn’t get past a couple of years because of injury, so I’m thankful for that. That must have been even more frustrating. I had great support throughout my career.
It’s great playing with Crash because I still get the opportunity to meet and chat to my fans. One lady, Lizzi from Vienna has been to all of our gigs.”
And finally a question from Bennetts: Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
“Yeah I’d just like to thank them for all their support and belief they’ve shown in following my career. I hope to become an established artist so they can support me on my new paths too. They’ve always been so dedicated.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank Bennetts for its sponsorship, support and belief in me too. Thanks Bennetts.”