Toselands top ten return

Assen MotoGP
Race report
28 June 08

Britain’s James Toseland today hit back at critics who have questioned his commitment to racing with a return to a competitive on-track performance at Assen in Holland. The 27-year-old passed the chequered flag in ninth position in his first race since his torrid first home MotoGP at Donington Park just six days ago.

The dramatic 26-lap race in the Netherlands saw just 13 riders complete the distance from the 15-rider grid. Tech 3 Yamaha’s Toseland started from an unlucky 13th place but was able to make ground on his rivals on the opening lap. Factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi suffered a similar accident to the Isle of Man resident’s incident at the British GP – unavoidably taking out Randy De Puniet and holding up several other riders.

Toseland worked his way into eighth position and held it for a large part of the race. He was pushed back into ninth place by team-mate Colin Edwards, who went on to secure a well-deserved podium finish with third position. The British contender held on to his place to add further points to his championship tally and gain more experience in the premier league of motorcycle racing.

“We’re having a bit of a tough period at the moment,” said Toseland. “We tried something totally different with the bike here today and although it wasn’t quite right, we are starting to make headway. We were back in the top ten, which is important, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“I apologise to the fans because I know it must be frustrating to watch but I am committed to working my hardest to continue to improve and get the bike to where we need to be. It hasn’t helped that we’ve had changeable weather at the last two events either because we have such a short space of time to get the bike right.

“We’ve got Sachsenring and Laguna Seca to look forward to over the next month and they are both tracks that I have raced at before. To an extent that helps with the feedback that I can provide the team but as I’m riding a totally different bike we still start with a clean slate, so we’ll continue to work hard and try our best. Overall, it’s been a great day for the team in Assen and I’d like to congratulate Colin on his podium finish.”

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

Race result
1. C. Stoner 42’12.337; 2. D. Pedrosa +11.310; 3. C. Edwards +17.125; 4. N. Hayden +20.477; 5. A. Dovizioso +27.346; 6. J. Lorenzo +28.606; 7. C. Vermeulen +32.330; 8. S. Nakano +34.892; 9. J. Toseland +38.566; 10. S. Guintoli +38.817

Championship standings (after round nine)
1. Pedrosa 171; 2. Rossi 167; 3. Stoner 142; 4. Lorenzo 114; 5. Edwards 98; 6. Dovizioso 79; 7. Hayden 70; 8. Toseland 60; 9. Vermeulen 57; 10. Nakano 57

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

BSB at Mallory 27th to 29th June

Byrne comfortably ahead, but does the fight-back start here?
BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round six – 27/28/29 June – Mallory Park

Shane Byrne heads the Bennetts British Superbike Championship going into the sixth round at Mallory Park this weekend but the Airwaves Ducati rider is expecting his rivals to begin their fight-back in the title stakes at the short, but demanding Leicestershire circuit.

The Spanish based rider has won seven of the ten races held so far, opening up a commanding 83 points advantage ahead of his team-mate Leon Camier, and he goes into these races in confident mood, having won one of the two races in the corresponding round of last year.

Byrne then was riding for Honda, and the winner of the other race last term, Ryuichi Kiyonari, was also aboard a Fireblade and it is those two results that give the pursuing pack the belief that they can start claw back the points.

Cal Crutchlow, the local favourite, is just a point down on Camier, and the HM Plant Honda rider is keen to make up lost ground – he tested, alongside Leon Haslam at Cadwell Park, and believes the results of that session will boost his chances of heading off the Ducatis.

“I’m not happy about dropped to third place but we’ve still got a way to go and I’m now looking forward to Mallory,” said the Coventry based rider who is keen to add to his two victories so far this season. Haslam meanwhile is bidding for a seasonal first success amid what has proved to be an inconsistent campaign so far.

That is something that the 25 year old Derbyshire rider is keen to rectify as he comes under pressure from the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison who is racking the points up strongly to be fifth overall in the rankings.

The Cumbrian rider, back on the domestic scene, is using the experience gained in MotoGP and American Superbikes to be one of only four riders, alongside Byrne, Camier and Tristan Palmer, to have scored points in every race.

That record has put Ellison a point clear of Michael Rutter, the North West 200 Ducati rider, who is keen to re-kindle the early season form that earned him a brace of podium finishes at Thruxton.

Snapping at their heels is Tom Sykes, the Huddersfield rider aboard the Rizla Suzuki, who is long overdue a taste of the victor’s champagne while Karl Harris, amid a season littered with ill-luck is hoping for an upturn in fortune aboard his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha.

James Haydon makes a racing return, taking the place of the injured Stuart Easton, with the MSS Discovery Kawasaki team, riding alongside their Aussie Billy McConnell while Scott Smart is aboard the locally prepared Hawk Kawasaki.

Gary Mason, another rider who is based locally, will be bidding to maintain his strong run of form in the Daily Star Cup – a race within the main championship for independent teams and riders – having won three of the four races he has started, adding a second place in the other.

He has settled well on the Quay Garage Honda, since taking over from Privateers Cup winner James Buckingham after the Brands Hatch round, and with plenty of points still available is beginning to give John Laverty, the leader in the title stakes on the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, plenty to think about.

For the record:

Superbikes on Track
Friday 27 June
12.20-13.10 and 15.30-1610 (Free practice)
Saturday 28 June
10.10-11.00 (Free practice)
14.40-15.30 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding session
Sunday 29 June
09.50-10.05 (warm-up practice)
13.15 Race One – 30 laps
16.20 Race Two - 30 laps

Superbikes on Television
British Eurosport 2
Sunday 29 June
1315-1715 LIVE raceday
2030-2200 Highlights
Monday 30 June
1730-1900 Highlights
Tuesday 01 July
2100-2200 Highlights
Thursday 03 July
1900-2000 Bennetts British Superbikes Extra
Saturday 05 July
1100-1230 Highlights
Monday 07 July
1900-2030 Highlights
Friday 18 July
1900-2000 Highlights
Saturday 19 July
1630-1800 Highlights
Channel 4
Wednesday 2 July
01.10-02.05 Highlights

Lap records – 1.41 mile circuit
Superbike Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 55.845s, 90.89mph, 22/07/07
Supersport Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 57.409s, 88.41mph, 04/06/06
125GP Robbie Stewart, Honda, 59.886s, 84.76mph, 22/07/07
Yamaha R1 to be established
KTM 990 Dave Wood, KTM, 1m 02.581s, 81.11mph, 22/07/07

Flashback Rd 9- 22 July 2007
Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Pole: grid decided on the basis of championship positions
(for reference – free practice, S Byrne, Honda, 1m 04.910s)
Race One – 30 laps
1 S Byrne, Honda 28:21.458
2 J Rea, Honda, 28:24.237
3 L Haslam, Ducati, 28:24.396
4 C Walker, Suzuki, 28:27.516
5 G Lavilla, Ducati, 28:28.880
6 T Sykes, Honda 28:30.595
Fastest lap: R Kiyonari, Honda, 55.845s, 90.89mph/146.28kph
Race Two – 22 laps
1 R Kiyonari, Honda, 21:24.315
2 L Haslam, Ducati, 21;26.095
3 S Byrne, Honda, 21:28.812
4 T Sykes, Honda, 21:29.772
5 C Crutchlow, Suzuki, 21:30.239
6 C Walker, Suzuki, 21:30.597
Fastest lap: R Kiyonari, Honda, 55.890s, 90.82mph /146.16kph
British Superbike Cup
Race One
1 T Palmer, Honda 28:22.357
Race Two
1 T Palmer, Honda 21:52.101

British Supersport – 28 laps
1 M Laverty, Suzuki, 27:20.538

British 125GP – 20 laps
1 A Beech, Honda, 20:23.312

KTM 990 Super Duke Battle – 20 laps
1 D Woods, KTM, 21:10.071

Riders view
“Difficult, a tight and short lap which means it is always close, a tenth of second there is like a second anywhere else – it is a track you just have to keep plugging away on,” Leon Haslam, HM Plant Honda

Bennetts-backed Toseland raises 5,500 for Riders

A James Toseland charity cycle ride in association with Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance* has raised more than £5,500 for MotoGP’s official charity - Riders for Health. Fifty-two members of the public – who each paid £52 to take part – completed two laps of Donington Park’s circuit on Thursday 19 June at the 2008 Day of Champions.

Many of the cyclists also raised further sponsorship for the motorcycling charity and James Toseland supporters who were unable to take part donated generously via www.justgiving.com/bennettscharitycycleride. The fundraising page will remain open for further secure donations until 19 August.

Riders for Health trains African health workers in motorcycle riding and maintenance, enabling them to reach remote villages with the kind of regular, reliable health care the developed world takes for granted. Across Africa, Riders is working with ministries of health and smaller, community based organisations, making sure they have vehicles that never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions. Riders has programmes in the Gambia, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Kenya, and is reaching over 10 million people.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider – who completed the laps just three days before his first ever British GP – was also supported by Pinarello riders Russ Downing and Malcolm Alliot. James used the Pinarello Prince cycle given to him by Bennetts to help with training and learning the MotoGP tracks.

“I’m amazed that we’ve managed to raise so much money for Riders for Health and I’d like to thanks everybody who supported us in any way,” says James. “I was convinced that nobody would pay £52 to cycle with me, so it’s incredible that we filled all 52 places and raised the same amount again in sponsorship. The work Riders for Health does is admirable and I’m proud that, with Bennetts’ support, I’ve been able to help.”

Bennetts’ Marketing Director Mark Fells also accompanied Toseland, “What an experience! You get a totally different perspective of the track by riding round and it helps give a feel for exactly how fit James and his racing rivals are to go out there and complete 30 laps on much more powerful machinery. As James’s personal sponsor, we already know how hard he works off track, but I can now also appreciate what a true athlete he is. As the UK’s number one for bike insurance*, we wish him the best of luck for this weekend as the UK’s number one rider.”

*Based on brand tracking research in April 2008.

Disappointment at Donington

The hopes of tens of thousands of MotoGP fans, who had gathered at Donington Park, came crashing down today when misfortune struck on the opening lap for British contender James Toseland. The 27-year-old was determined to get a strong start from the grid after he qualified in a lowly 16th place as a result of wet weather and difficult track conditions yesterday.

The Yorkshireman had picked up several places but gathered too much speed, causing him to run too hot into the first corner at the Leicestershire circuit. The early mistake resulted in a high-side and Toseland was thrown from the Tech 3 Yamaha. Determined not to disappoint fans even further, the Isle of Man resident bravely re-mounted to pass the chequered flag.

Toseland injured his left hand during the accident as he karate chopped the tarmac on the way down and sustained an injury to his neck when the tyre of his bike contacted with him. He was lapped by many riders in the field but refused to admit defeat, despite missing the right footpeg and being forced to balance his foot on the exhaust, making it difficult to use the back brake.

A warm reception from the home crowd as he returned to the Tech 3 Yamaha garage was the reward for his efforts as they gathered to welcome him back and offer their consolation messages.

Toseland was visibly disappointed at the result: “Today was possibly the most disappointing day of my life,” he said, “because I have let everybody down. When I crashed I had two choices: to go back to the garage or to finish 30 laps and a lot of people had come here to see me ride 30 laps, so I did it for them.

“ There was nobody and nothing to blame for the incident except over-exuberance at the first turn, but the British weather has not been good to us and yesterday’s rain made it very difficult for us to find the right set-up for the bike. When you start from 16th place on the grid you either ride around at the back of the field or go for it and it’s in my nature to always give it 100 per cent, so I went for it.”

James and the Tech 3 Yamaha team now head to Assen for round nine of the championship next weekend. They are hoping for better luck in Saturday’s race.

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

Race result
1. C. Stoner 44’44.982; 2. V. Rossi +5.789; 3. D. Pedrosa +8.347; 4. C. Edwards +12.678; 5. A. Dovizioso +14.801; 6. J. Lorenzo +15.690; 7. N. Hayden +18.196; 8. C. Vermeulen +21.666; 9. S. Nakano +29.354; 10. A. West +41.030; 17. J. Toseland +1 lap

Championship standings (after round eight)
1. Rossi 162; 2. Pedrosa 151; 3. Stoner 117; 4. Lorenzo 104; 5. Edwards 82; 6. Dovizioso 68; 7. Hayden 57; 8. Toseland 53; 9. Capirossi 51; 10. Nakano 49

Wet weather woes for Toseland

The English weather has not been kind to Britain’s James Toseland on day two of his first-ever home GP at Donington Park today. Difficult track conditions, caused by intermittent wet weather, have made Toseland and his Tech 3 Yamaha team work even harder to find the optimum set-up for the 2.7-mile track. It means that Toseland finishes the day with his worst qualifying position of the season to date – 16th place at the head of the final row of the grid.

Toseland slid off the track during morning practice today and, with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining was unable to get back to the Tech 3 Yamaha garage to complete the session aboard his second bike. The 27-year-old banged his knee during the incident but was uninjured.

He returned to the track for the afternoon’s qualifying session and was making progress – proving once again, as he did in yesterday’s dry practice sessions, that he can keep pace with the frontrunners at Donington Park. However, incorrect tyre selection with only five minutes of the session remaining led to the Isle of Man resident uncharacteristically high-siding twice in one lap.

It means that the British rider has a huge amount of work ahead of him in tomorrow’s 30-lap race. “It’s obviously hugely disappointing to have my worst qualifying session of the season at my home Grand Prix,” says James. “I didn’t make the most of my best qualifying tyre and then I tried to push too hard towards the end on the wrong tyre for the job.

“Having said that, I couldn’t be expected to go out there and not try my best. Unfortunately, I tried too hard and paid the price. This weekend was always going to be difficult and the bad weather has just added to that. I’ve got a tough job ahead of me tomorrow and a lot of hard work, so I’m hoping for some dry weather. However, as always I will try my best and the support of my home crowd will help to spur me on. ”

Toseland’s supporters will be hoping that the rider’s BKS special edition St George’s flag leathers that he will wear tomorrow will bring him more luck than he has had today.
Keep up to date with all James Toseland news at www.jamestoseland.com

Qualifying
1. C. Stoner 1’38.232; 2. V. Rossi +0.649; 3. C. Vermeulen +0.786; 4. N. Hayden +1.038; 5. C. Edwards +1.369; 6. A. Dovizioso +1.551; 7. A. West +1.763; 8. B. Spies +2.012; 9. D. Pedrosa +2.118; 10. S. Nakano +2.185; 16. J. Toseland +3.519

Toselands lucky 52 charity cyclists confirmed

A charity cycle ride at Donington Park with James Toseland has sold out within two weeks of 52 places being made available to members of the public – raising much needed funds for MotoGP’s official charity Riders of Health. James’s personal sponsor Bennetts has teamed up with the motorcycling charity for the event at this year’s Day of Champions on Thursday 19 June.

Those who were unable to secure a place on the ride can still support James and his fellow cyclists with sponsorship by visiting www.bennetts.co.uk and clicking the Riders for Health button. The donation button will take visitors to a secure donation page where any amount can be pledged to support this worthwhile cause. All cyclists taking part have also committed to raising further sponsorship funds for the charity.

Riders for Health trains African health workers in motorcycle riding and maintenance, enabling them to reach remote villages with the kind of regular, reliable health care the developed world takes for granted. Across Africa, Riders is working with ministries of health and smaller, community based organisations, making sure they have vehicles that never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions. Riders has programmes in the Gambia, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Kenya, and is reaching over 10 million people.

All cyclists will complete two laps of the track at the home of the British GP with the Tech 3 Yamaha rider – just three days before James’s first ever British GP. He will talk the group around the circuit while riding the Pinarello Prince cycle given to him by Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance*, as a 2007 World Superbike Championship-winning gift.

“I’d like to thank everybody who has supported me and this fantastic event so far and want to encourage as many people as possible to pledge some amount pf sponsorship, however small to help support Riders for Health. It’s easy to take basic healthcare for granted in the UK, but we have to remember that not everybody is as fortunate as we are. It’s great that Bennetts is helping to provide support for a motorcycling charity and I’m proud to have been chosen as the ambassador.”

Bennetts Marketing Director Mark Fells is also taking part in the ride. “We’re delighted with the support that the cycle ride is attracting and I’m really proud that Bennetts has been able to support Riders for Health” he says. “I’m really looking forward to getting involved and having a first hand account from James of what it’s like to ride round Donington – even without the help of an engine!”

*Based on independent online research by Consumer Intelligence during March 2008

Toseland dices for super six

Catalunya MotoGP
Race report
8 June 08


A determined James Toseland has once again demonstrated how competitive he is in the premier motorcycle racing class by securing the fourth top-six race finish of his debut MotoGP season. Catalunya was the fifth consecutive new track that the Brit had to get to grips with, but he remained un-phased and determined to build on his positive start in the championship.

The 27-year-old had a strong start to the 25-lap battle – hanging on to seventh place from sixth on the grid. However, he was pushed back to tenth position before fighting his way back towards the front of the pack. With four laps remaining, the Isle of Man resident had secured sixth place on the track after overtaking Chris Vermeulen, but Vermeulen was not willing to give in easily.

The Dutch rider maintained his challenge until the chequered flag for a dramatic finish, but it was Toseland who emerged the victor of the two aboard the Tech 3 Yamaha. The race win was secured by Spaniard Dani Pedrosa at his home event, after Rossi secured the home victory at the Italian GP last weekend. With a precedent set for victory on home soil, the excitement is building for the British GP at Donington Park in two weeks time.

“I had a difficult few opening laps while I settled into a rhythm with the new settings on the bike,” says James. “Valentino passed me and then I got pushed back a bit further before I managed to pull things back. I just got my head down and focussed on gaining some places.

“It’s hard work at these tracks that I don’t know so I’m really pleased to have qualified and finished the race in sixth position. My aim coming into the race was to finish sixth and improve my championship position and I’ve done both. I’m looking forward to getting to Donington now to see what I can do at a track that I’m familiar with.”

For the chance to meet James Toseland and cycle two laps of the British track with him at the Day of Champions on 19 June, visit Bennetts and click the Riders for Health button. To keep up with all James Toseland’s news and events visit www.jamestoseland.com

Qualifying session
1. D. Pedrosa 42:02.175; 2. V. Rossi +2.806; 3. C. Stoner +3.343; 4. A. Dovizioso +10.893; 5. C. Edwards +16.426; 6. J. Toseland +21.482; 7. C. Vermeulen +21.548; 8. N. Hayden +22.280;
9. S. Nakano +22.375; 10. J. Hopkins +46.835

Championship standings (after round seven)
1. Rossi 142; 2. Pedrosa 135; 3. Lorenzo 94; 4. Stoner 92; 5. Edwards 69; 6. Dovizioso 57; 7. Toseland 53; 8. Capirossi 51; 9. Hayden 48; 10. Nakano 42

Toseland has the Friday feeling

Catalunya MotoGP
Free practice
6 June 08


Britain’s James Toseland has enjoyed his most successful MotoGP free practice session to date, since the opening round of the season at Qatar, in Catalunya, Spain today. The day’s two free practice sessions were held in dry conditions, enabling the 27-year-old to build on the strong base setting that Tech 3 Yamaha established at Mugello in Italy last weekend.

The Isle of Man resident was eighth fastest at the end of the day – less than 0.5 seconds off the fastest lap time set by Spaniard Dani Pedrosa. It is the strongest position that James has ever been in on the first practice day and he is feeling optimistic about the weekend ahead as he prepares for the final race before his home GP at Donington Park on 22 June.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider is now focussing on developing consistency in tomorrow’s final practice session ahead of qualifying. The practice session times illustrate how close the race is likely to be and Britain’s Toseland is determined to be competitive.

“I’m planning to complete some race runs tomorrow,” says James, “to build on my consistency and prepare physically for the race on Sunday. “I’m happy with the bike and would like to thank the team for their help in finding such a strong base setting. The Michelin tyres are working really well and we have a few more things to try with the bike. I’m just hoping to continue our progress tomorrow.”

Fans of James Toseland have the opportunity to meet him and cycle two laps of Donington Park with him ahead the British GP, while raising money for Riders for Health. For further information or to pledge sponsorship, visit www.bennetts.co.uk and click the Riders for Health button. Keep up to date with all James Toseland news at www.jamestoseland.com

Free practice
1. D. Pedrosa 1:43.017; 2. L. Capirossi +0.006; 3. V. Rossi +0.073; 4. C. Stoner +0.082; 5. A. De Angelis +0.216; 6. C. Vermeulen +0.351; 7. S. Nakano +0.425;
8. J. Toseland +0.462; 9. N. Hayden +0.597; 10. C. Edwards +0.651

Motorbike cover from Bennetts

Bennetts has improved its cover from all its panel of insurers. Bikers who take out a policy with Bennetts from 4th June 2008 and subject to certain conditions, will now be covered for riding other bikes. We have also extended the European cover from 45 days to a maximum of 90 days in one single trip. Bennetts already provides excellent cover and service but now it is even better!

The pride of Britain

Mugello MotoGP
Race report
1 June 08

A determined ride by Britain’s James Toseland re-confirmed the 27-year-old’s MotoGP capabilities with his third top-six finish of the season to date. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider had a difficult start to the 23-lap race at Mugello in Italy today in hot conditions. The Isle of Man resident has never raced at the track before and had very little dry practice time to learn the lines and optimise the set-up of the number 52 Yamaha.

Toseland was down in 11th on the first lap from eight position on the starting grid, but he pushed hard to make his way towards the front of the pack. Two particularly spectacular passes at mid-race distance elevated James into a position to fight for a fourth-place finish. However, an overtake by team-mate Colin Edwards – who helped the Brit find the right set-up for Mugello – forced Toseland to settle for sixth place.

The race result – equal best with his two opening races at Jerez and Qatar – moves the Brit up to eighth position overall in the championship standings. With just one point between James and seventh-placed Andrea Dovizioso and one race to go before his home GP at Donington Park on 22 June – at a track that Toseland knows extremely well – the future looks bright for Britain’s only MotoGP contender.

Italian Valentino Rossi secured the race win for Yamaha at his home GP ahead of reigning champion Casey Stoner and third-placed Dani Pedrosa.

“I’m so happy to be on a competitive bike with Tech 3 Yamaha,” says James. “Today’s race was good fun but also hard work because it is so hot and racing at this level is always challenging. I must thank the team and Colin for all of their help this weekend. We gambled with the setting of the bike jut before the race after morning warm-up and it seems to have paid off. It’s a great feeling to be able to put the frustration of the last few races behind me.”

Fans of James Toseland have the opportunity to meet him and cycle two laps of Donington Park with him ahead the British GP, while raising money for Riders for Health. For further information or to register your interest, visit www.bennetts.co.uk and click the Riders for Health button. Keep up to date with all James Toseland news at www.jamestoseland.com

Race result
1. V. Rossi 42:31.153; 2. C. Stoner +2.201; 3. D. Pedrosa +4.867; 4. A. De Angelis +6.313; 5. C. Edwards +12.530; 6. J. Toseland +13.806; 7. L. Capirossi +14.447; 8. A. Dovizioso +15.319; 9. S. Nakano +15.327; 10. C. Vermeulen +30.785

Championship standings
1. Rossi 122; 2. Pedrosa 110; 3. Lorenzo 94; 4. Stoner 76; 5. Edwards 58; 6. Capirossi 51; 7. Dovizioso 44; 8. Toseland 43; 9. Hayden 40; 10. Nakano 35