Tech 3 boss relieved at James Toseland’s escape

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal has spoken of his relief that British rider James Toseland will be fit to start to the new MotoGP season in Qatar.

The British rider suffered his second violent high-side crash in less than two months yesterday during the final day of winter testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

The double World Superbike champion was knocked out for over ten seconds after losing control on the exit of Turn Three during the televised 45-minute shootout for a BMW car.

Toseland was discharged from a Cadiz hospital last night and has left Madrid on a flight this morning back to the UK.

Poncharal told MCN: “Happily I can say that James is going to be fine for the first race in Qatar. It was another big crash that he didn’t need after what happened in Sepang, but he is tough and luckily he doesn’t have any big injuries.

“We were all quite worried when we saw the pictures on the TV of him lying in the gravel, but thankfully he is going to be fine.”

Poncharal also confirmed that Toseland had admitted that the crash was his own fault, caused by pushing too hard on a new soft compound Bridgestone tyre.

“James was very upset with himself because it was his mistake. It was the same circumstances as in Sepang, pushing too hard on a cold tyre. But he has learned from this and he will return stronger and more determined to do well.”