James Toseland to test R1 WSB bike in Portimao?

James Toseland looks certain to make his Yamaha World Superbike debut before the end of the month, MCN can reveal.

The British rider is hotly-tipped to make a shock R1 appearance at the Portimao test session due to take place immediately after the final race in Portugal on October 25.

Toseland is expected to dash back from competing in the Malaysian MotoGP race in Sepang to participate in the test, which falls before he bows out of the premier class at the final race in Valencia in early November.

MCN understands Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal has given Toseland’s R1 debut clearance.

Not only would the test session help the 28-year-old familiarise himself with Yamaha’s R1, but it would also help the double World Superbike champion learn the spectacular Portimao circuit.

Toseland is moving back to World Superbikes in 2010 having lost his ride with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad.

He will be replaced at Tech 3 by 2009 WSB sensation Ben Spies, who goes into title decider at Portimao trailing Ducati rival Noriyuki Haga by ten-points.

The Texan will make his Yamaha YZR-M1 debut with a special wild card ride in the season’s final MotoGP clash in Valencia on November 8.

Suzuki recently turned down a request from Kawasaki’s WSB squad for new signing Chris Vermeulen to take part in the Portimao test on board a ZX-10R.