For the Toseland fans

[Scott Parker]

Looks like he as signed to BMW Italia

Toseland signs for BMW Motorrad Italia - Motorcycle racing news: WSB - Visordown

[crgrbrts]

There will, most probably, be some not-too-flattering comments made abut "Our James" (as BBC commentators used to call him), as he joins the BMW Italia Superbike team. So, I will put in a preemptive good word for him up front.

James Toseland is an excellent racer and deserving of the two WSBK championship titles he earned. His unpleasant MotoGP experience discouraged him greatly, however, and - to a certain extent -- he lost his "heart." Conspiring to defeat him was a bit of bad racer luck, garage politics, an understandably strained but still hurtful relationship with his less-than-diplomatic teammate and a gross campaign of showbiz media hype that created wholly unrealistic expectations. There's also the simple fact that he did not come up through the 125-250 GP ranks as most successful premier class riders do, so his "apprenticeship" was less than optimal. (I know -- look at Ben Spies. But, he's an anomaly).

Perhaps a change of bikes and another season away from his MotoGP curse will help James regain his composure and reclaim his considerable skills. I, for one, will be rootin' for him.

[Shawnery]

It's very unfortunate that he was not given the chance to ride with the factory bike but hopefully the team is a winner and backed well by the factory. It looks as if one of your other well liked riders is on the factory team, Haslam, with the MotoGP retired Melandri by his side. I hope that Toseland comes back to form once again like the rider he once was. I have to imagine it's hard to allow yourself to have the confidence to win when you've been a back marker for years.

Besides my very own home grown Ben Spies, James Toseland is by far my favorite rider. The thing about Toseland is that he needs to qualify well and with the BMW he should be able to do it. The other thing is, he's not always the fastest but if he can get up there, he has a way of riding that holds his competitors behind him. Unfortunately I think it's the things that make him a great superbike rider and champion that lead to his MotoGP demise.