Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut

British rider James Toseland made an encouraging start to his Bridgestone career in Jerez today, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocking the sixth quickest time on a chilly first day.

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Toseland ended with a best time of 1.41.539 as he completed 50 laps on a big day for the former double World Superbike champion.

Not only was Toseland getting his first outing on Bridgestone rubber following the introduction of a controversial single tyre rule for 2009, but he also linked up with new crew chief Gary Reynders for the first time. Reynders joined Toseland in a controversial move having worked with team-mate Colin Edwards during 2008.

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Toseland’s best time was less than 0.2s slower than the Texan today, with the 27-year-old Sheffield rider 2.014s slower than quickest rider Dani Pedrosa.

Using his 2008 spec YZR-M1 featuring a much shorter wheelbase to move in the direction that Yamaha will focus on for its 2009 contender, Toseland told MCN: “It was a good day but it took a while for me to get into the pace because we have gone to a setting that was used by Valentino (Rossi) on the Bridgestones. The bike is quite a bit shorter and I needed some time to get used to it because it is quite a bit different to what I’ve been on.

“This is way that Yamaha is going for the balance of the bike next season, so in half a day I’m already pretty much up to speed with the direction they are taking. That’s the direction Yamaha is taking, so I’ve got to make it work and I feel we have already made a lot of progress. But when I felt comfortable I did about five or six 41s on the trot at the end, so I’m quite pleased.

“Colin was much stronger than me here at the race a few months back and this is one of his best tracks, but I’m not too far behind him and that is a good sign. I’m not sure what I can say about the tyres but the front is pretty incredible and there is a considerable difference to what I was on before. The feedback it gives is incredible.”

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