This is a busy week for Yamaha Racing, with its MotoGP squad headed to Estoril and WSBK getting ready for its second-to-last stop in Magny-Cours. Fresh from the tuning fork brand is another announcement for its 2010 rider line-up, and this time around it concerns James Toseland.
Coming straight from Yamaha HQ, James Toseland, the former World Superbike Champion and current MotoGP satellite rider, will be headed back to World Superbike for the 2010 season, taking the place of Ben Spies who will be moving into Toseland’s now empty seat at Monster Tech3 Yamaha.
The writing has been on the wall for Toseland almost all season, as the Brit has failed to live up to the hype while racing in MotoGP. Toseland’s woes have been compounded by his discourse with fellow World Superbike champion and teammate, Colin Edwards. Both riders have aired their dirty laundry for the public to see, which has only served to add fuel to the fire when Toseland has been unable to match Edwards’ performance on the track.
James seems to be taking the news better than some had expected, giving nothing but praise to Spies and the folks at Yamaha.
“I’m looking forward to return to World Superbikes. I want to show I’m still the rider that can win world titles. Of course there is some disappointment at losing my opportunity in MotoGP as I believe the challenge was still achievable, but the R1 has proven to be beyond the strongest bikes in Superbike and I know many of the Yamaha World Superbike Team guys, so I’m going to pick up where I left off and give 100% to achieving good results with the team. Within Superbike there were a few options available to me, however the way Yamaha have treated me since I joined them has been outstanding. They gave me a great opportunity in MotoGP, but now I do wish Ben all the best in his campaign and my aim is to continue Yamaha’s success in World Superbike.”
James will take over the #1 seat at Sterilgarda Yamaha, and will be joined by Cal Crutchlow, who is currently leading the WSS Championship. This pair should make Yamaha very competitive in WSBK for 2010, and able to battle once again with the Xerox Ducati pair of Haga and Fabrizio.
Comments