James Toseland third, Casey Stoner fastest

British rider James Toseland claimed a morale-boosting third place finish on the final day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today.

• Get all the latest from the Phillip Island test

Toseland posted a fastest lap of 1.29.754 to miss out on second place to 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden by just 0.020s.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider used a soft Michelin qualifying tyre to post his best time on a final day run in sunny but windy conditions.

Only world champions Casey Stoner and Hayden were faster today, though Colin Edwards’ qualifying tyre time set on the opening day relegated Toseland to fourth spot on the overall timesheets. Toseland though was one of only five riders to break the 1.30 barrier over the three days.

A best lap of 1.31.012 on race tyres left Toseland sixth quickest in race trim, with the likes of Loris Capirossi, Chris Vermeulen and Hayden behind him.

Toseland also completed his first full MotoGP race simulation this afternoon, completing a 27-lap distance run with a brief interlude just after the halfway point.

Toseland said: “I’m really happy. I was always looking forward to coming here with my track knowledge and its nice to see the difference where I stand in the order with that experience.

To be at the sharp end of the times and see my name up there has put a bigger smile on my face. Knowing the track I can be on the same line each lap and that’s helped me relay my feedback on the bike a lot more precisely to my team. On other tracks I’ve been finding my way round as well as trying to make a lap time.

I was happy with my pace in the race simulation but those extra five or six laps over what I’ve been used to in superbike were a bit strange. My body just isn’t used to that distance but I felt good and wasn’t too tired at the end. It is all good experience and its all coming together nicely. I will sleep well tonight on the plane tonight after this performance.

Even one of my mechanics said that it is so good to see an English rider at that end of the timesheets rather than at the other end. And the best thing is I can only get faster and stronger. I’m still waiting for some new parts from Yamaha, so there is still plenty of room for improvement, also from Michelin.

Everybody is working hard and I’m riding on a wave at the moment.” While Toseland impressed with his brilliant performance, Stoner continue to hog the limelight as he produced another blistering display.

The reigning world champion posted a best time of 1.28.777 on qualifying tyres to thrash Hayden in second by 0.957s. Toseland was actually the only other rider to lap within a second of a rampant Stoner, who looks unbeatable at present on qualifying and race tyres.

As well as his fastest time on a Bridgestone qualifier, Stoner also completed close to a full race simulation, cutting a planned full 27-lap run short having encountered rear grip issues late on.

Only his first flying lap though was outside of the 1.30 bracket with a consistently fast pace that sent shockwaves down the Phillip Island pitlane. His best time in the simulation was a 1.30.116, which was 0.7s faster inside Valentino Rossi’s best 800cc lap set in last October’s Australian GP.

More reaction to follow later.