Jerez MotoGP: No engine surprise for James Toseland

James Toseland’s hopes that he might get Yamaha’s latest spec YZR-M1 engine ahead of schedule has been dashed on the eve of this weekend’s Spanish MotoGP.

• James Toseland eager to get engine upgrade

There was faint hope that the 27-year-old British rider might get the pneumatic valve motor for Sunday’s Jerez clash after his brilliant debut performance in Qatar earlier this month.

The double World Superbike champion impressed Yamaha and Michelin bosses with a debut front row start and top six finish under the floodlights in Qatar, but he will still have to wait until the Estoril MotoGP in Portugal next month to get the latest spec motor.

A team source told MCN: “As was always the schedule, James will have to wait until Estoril. Yamaha will definitely supply in Portugal.”

James Toseland’s Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards will also get the new motor in Estoril, which factory duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have been using throughout winter testing.