Toseland fighting fit for Assen

Assen MotoGP
Free Practice
26 June 08


A positive day of free practice at Assen in the Netherlands is helping Britain’s James Toseland put the memories of his first home GP behind him today. The 27-year-old is focussed on Saturday’s race and is determined to work hard with the team to achieve the optimum set-up for his Tech 3 Yamaha.

Toseland is happy with the progress that the team is making and he is physically fit, despite crashing four times at Donington Park. The injuries that the Isle of Man resident sustained to his left hand and neck during his home race are healing well and he is ready to, once again, let his riding do the talking.

The British contender has not been concentrating on times in today’s two sessions, but is currently 13th fastest at the Dutch track. James raced at the circuit last year as part of his World Superbike Championship-winning campaign and has experience at the track. However, he is finding that Assen is a much different proposition aboard the 800cc Yamaha.

“I’m happy with the way that today’s practice sessions have gone,” says James. “I’m feeling back on form and ready for the race. We still have a lot of work ahead of us to find the best set-up for the bike, but we’ve made good progress today and I’ve been concentrating on finding the best lines around the track rather than focussing on top speed.

“I have some experience at Assen but to be honest we’re really starting with a clean slate in the same way that we have at every circuit this year. I’m happy to be back on the bike so soon after Donington Park so that we can just move forward with achieving the best that we can in my debut season. The support that I’ve received from the fans and the Tech 3 Yamaha team has been amazing and I really appreciate that.

“I also have to thank BKS for the fantastic job they’re doing with my leathers. On Saturday at Donington Park I wore the same suit for all three crashes and thanks to the level of protection that the suit offered on race day I’m fighting fit to race again just six days later.”

Keep up to date with all James Toseland news at www.jamestoseland.com

Free practice
1. C. Stoner 1’36:087; 2. V. Rossi +0.732; 3. C. Edwards +0.844; 4. N. Hayden +0.925; 5. A. De Angelis +1.039; 6. S. Nakano +1.050; 7. R De Puniet +1.100; 8. J. Hopkins +1.164; 9. D. Pedrosa +1.193; 10. C. Vermeulen +1.195; 13. J. Toseland +1.751