MotoGP: James Toseland has proved critics wrong

James Toseland’s personal manager Roger Burnett reckons the double World Superbike champion’s new 2009 Yamaha contract should finally silence the sceptics who thought the British rider would flounder in MotoGP.

Burnett was the major influence in advising James Toseland to shun Honda and Ducati deals last season to sign for Tech 3, and he has also been a key player in the successful early renewal of the Sheffield rider’s 2009 contract with the French team.

“The fact of the matter is that if James hadn’t made such an impact then we wouldn’t be in this position,” Burnett told MCN.

“You don’t convince Yamaha and factory people very easily that you are the right man for the job. To do it in two races is testimony to James’ performance.

“You have got to be prepared to deliver and James has. A lot of people felt that James couldn’t do this job.

“The fact that we have been able to make this announcement is all part of proving them wrong because in two races we have got another year’s commitment from Yamaha and Tech 3 to go forward.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet. We are not sitting back thinking we have done a great job.”