MotoGP: Tech 3 impressed with James Toseland’s approach

James Toseland’s new Tech 3 Yamaha boss has said he is impressed with the British rider’s s attitude, willingness to learn and work ethic as he sets about the massive task of becoming a competitive force in MotoGP next year.

Herve Poncharal has been impressed after James Toseland made a promising start to his premier class career with test sessions in Sepang and Jerez last month.

Toseland has spent the majority of his career in World Superbikes, carving out a big reputation for himself with two world titles for Ducati and Honda.

His growing stature was underlined last weekend when he finished fourth in the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year, narrowly missing out on third place by less than a thousand votes.

Herve Poncharal said he liked James Toseland’s humble attitude and told MCN: “I’ve seen other riders coming from different championships and the biggest problem is, it doesn’t matter how big you have been somewhere else, when you come to MotoGP you have to come with a humble attitude.

“I have all the confidence in James in the way he approaches everything. If he had come here and said ‘I’m world champion, I’m going to show you what to do and what I can do’ then this would not be good.

“That was sometimes the problem in the past but James has a humble attitude and taking it the way he is taking he can be very successful.

“I think he is a clever guy and he doesn’t make any excuses.”