MotoGP: Estoril track knowledge key for James Toseland

James Toseland reckons the key to him continuing the impressive start to his MotoGP career will largely depend on how quickly he can learn the Estoril circuit this weekend.

Estoril is the first track of 2008 that the British rider goes to without any prior experience, and he has already spent hours trying to get some idea of the Portuguese venue by watching DVD footage of last year’s clash.

He’s also been playing the MotoGP game on the PlayStation, and he plans to spend plenty of time meticulously studying the track on a paddock scooter today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) before first practice.

James Toseland, who is looking to extend his 100 per cent top six finishes record in Estoril told MCN: “Track knowledge is all important and it is a disadvantage for me not knowing some of the tracks. But we need to get out and do the laps.

“I’ll be going round the track on a paddock scooter and just keep going round to se where it goes.

“I’m just hoping it is going to suit us and doesn’t take too much to learn and we can quickly get down to competitive times.

“There is only so much TV and computer games can give you about a track.

“I’m just waiting to see what the surface is like, what the grip is like and how undulating it is. You can’t get that from TV.”

Toseland and American Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards will also get their first chance to ride the new pneumatic valve YZR-M1 motor this weekend.