Toseland continues learning curve

James Toseland faced a difficult race in changeable conditions in Shanghai, China today for round four of the 2008 MotoGP Championship. The British rider passed the chequered flag in 12th position to secure further points in his championship campaign with Tech 3 Yamaha. He now sits in sixth place overall in the series standings on equal points with fifth-placed Loris Capirossi.

Rain overnight with a drying track for the race led to difficult conditions for the British rider’s first race at the Shanghai circuit. He has had only four sessions in the past two days to learn the layout of the track. As ever, the 27-year-old focussed on securing the highest finishing position possible. However – faced with more experienced contenders – the Isle of Man resident moved from ninth on the second lap to 12th ten laps later.

He continued to push himself right until the chequered flag, setting a personal best with just two laps to go. The front of the race was extremely competitive with several MotoGP veterans fighting it out for a podium position. Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi emerged victorious with the race win, followed past the finish line by Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. The result sees Pedrosa take the championship lead ahead of round five at Le Mans.

“12th place is my lowest finishing position to date this year so obviously I’m not particularly happy with today’s result,” says James. “I knew that this weekend was going to be difficult so I just got my head down and worked hard – that’s all I could do.

“I’ve got another new track to tackle at the next round but then we head to some circuits that I know really well, including my home round at Donington Park, so I’m looking forward to that. I still feel like I haven’t demonstrated the true potential of the package that I have. I’m confident that we’re capable of a podium finish, so I’ll be pushing for that before the end of the season.”

Race result
1. V. Rossi 44’08.061; 2. D. Pedrosa +3.890; 3. C. Stoner +15.928; 4. J. Lorenzo +22.494; 5. M. Melandri +26.957; 6. N. Hayden +28.369; 7. C. Edwards +29.780; 8. T. Elias +30.225; 9. L. Capirossi +31.440; 10. S. Nakano +35.969; 12. J. Toseland +43.191

Championship standings (after round four)
1. D. Pedrosa 81; 2. J. Lorenzo 74; 3. V. Rossi 72; 4. C. Stoner 56; 5. L Capirossi 33; 6. J. Toseland 33; 7. C. Edwards 31; 8. N. Hayden 29; 9. A. Dovizioso 26; 10. J. Hopkins 26