MotoGP: James Toseland elated at Tech 3 Yamaha choice

James Toseland believes his impressive recent testing form has fully vindicated his decision to begin his MotoGP career with the Tech 3 Yamaha team.

The British rider ended his maiden winter testing campaign in impressive form last week when the he finished second fastest at the historic first night test run under floodlights in Qatar.

Jorge Lorenzo’s last lap attack denied James Toseland the chance to top the timesheets, but the double World Superbike champion still described his performance as ‘amazing.’

And he said recent results had convinced him even more that his decision to shun Honda and Ducati offers to sign for the French-based Tech 3 team had paid off.

When agonising over his future last season, Toseland had talks with Tech 3 Yamaha, Gresini Honda and D’Antin Ducati.

But James Toseland told MCN that joining Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 team was the best for his prospects of making a successful switch to MotoGP from World Superbikes.

Toseland said: “I’m just really pleased with the team I’m working with because that was a big decision to make on who I was going to ride for.

“A couple of teams wanted me to ride in MotoGP and myself and my manager Roger Burnett had months and months of speculating between Gresini, Tech 3 and the Pramac team.

“The Ducati was so strong so that was as a big pull and with Gresini I had a very good relationship with Honda.

“Yamaha came up with the only option of riding a 2008 spec bike and that was the best option for me.

“I’m pleased for my team because all the guys have really brought me on a lot quicker than I could have ever expected.”

James Toseland will make his MotoGP debut on Sunday night (March 9, 2008) in Qatar.

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