German MotoGP: James Toseland happy to be back in top ten

James Toseland scored his fifth top ten finish of 2009 to boost his hopes of an improved result at his home race at Donington Park this weekend.

Boxed in at a chaotic first corner, Toseland dropped down to 15th on the first lap and his hopes of a top ten seemed dashed with the Sachsenring notoriously tricky to overtake on.

But Randy de Puniet’s spectacular high-side at the fast downhill Turn 11 and a pass on Pramac Ducati rider Niccolo Canepa moved the British rider back into 13th on the second lap.

He then passed Toni Elias and Loris Capirossi on lap three to surge into 11th place before Elias retaliated on lap six.

Toseland, who was using Yamaha’s new anti-wheelie system for the first time, passed a fast fading Mika Kallio on lap 12 and he moved into 10th on lap 25 when the luckless Andrea Dovizioso was poised to retire.

The 28-year-old said: “I got a decent start and I was pleased with that after what happened at Laguna Seca and the anti-wheelie system from Yamaha has made a massive difference.

“But I got boxed in at the first corner. I’m not sure who it was but I had contact on my right and left knee. I didn’t roll off and got through but at the start of the race I had a few issues with the front tyre.

“We’re not sure if it was the temperature of the full fuel load but at the start I didn’t have much confidence. After about half distance it really started working well and I could run a really consistent pace.”

Toseland was disappointed that his choice of the hardest compound Bridgestone rear tyre had not helped him produce a stronger challenge in the second half of the race as he quickly lost contact with the group fighting for sixth that included Elias, Marco Melandri.

Nicky Hayden and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards.

He added: “With the mixed conditions all weekend, I’d not had chance to run the hard rear tyre, but I really thought it would come strong in the last ten laps and help me chase the bunch I was on the back for a while that were battling for seventh.

“But the hard tyre wasn’t really an advantage for the last few laps and there was no difference in performance against the guys on soft rear tyre.” Toseland now returns to Donington Park – scene of his nightmare 2008 British GP.

Toseland had boldly predicted he would be a podium contender 13 months ago, but crashed out at the first corner and came home in 17th in front of a record British GP crowd of over 80,000.

The double World Superbike champion though is looking to put on a good show this weekend ahead of the shortened summer break.

“I’m looking forward to my home race now at Donington Park and this top ten has given me a bit of a boost. I’ll be looking to make amends for the disappointment of last year at the British GP and giving it my all.

“I’ve not been that consistent this season, so I want to get a good result at Donington to build up some momentum for the rest of the season,“ added Toseland.

 

• Do you think you know what will happen in MotoGP? Have a free £25 bet with Betfair