Toseland’s diminished sixth makes Donington amends

Last year’s most disappointed man in Donington Park, James Toseland could leave the British circuit somewhat happier on Sunday evening. He wasn’t able to take the home victory for which both he and the home fans were hoping, but a joint best result of the year was still a positive takeway for the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider.

Toseland was in contention for fifth right up to the chequered flag, but was outdone by factory rider Valentino Rossi on the Fogarty Esses. Reflecting on the race, the 28 year-old said that “With some of the other guys stopping to switch bikes, I made up a few places and was fifth for the final few laps and thinking I was going to get my best ever MotoGP result. That would have been amazing to do that in front of my home crowd, who were absolutely magnificent with their support today.

”At the end Valentino (Rossi) came through so strong on the last lap. He passed me at The Esses but I managed to dive back under him, but he was phenomenal on the brakes at the Melbourne Loop. I wasn't going to try and do anything that might take us both out but it's another sixth place and it definitely makes amends for the big disappointment of last year.”