Toseland signs two-year GSE deal

James Toseland has pledged himself to his HM Plant/GSE team with a new two-year deal that’ll see him assume the mantle of number one rider with the squad until the end of 2004.

The current embumbent Neil Hodgson is off to pilot the official Ducati WSB challenge as its number one Troy Bayliss joins the factory’s Grand Prix project.

As part of its recent deal with Ducati over Hodgson and to reflect its success so far in 2002, GSE will enjoy satellite status with full technical support. Toseland will ride 998 F02s, the same bike sprinting Bayliss towards a successful title defence this season.

Tosleand told MCN: ” I’m really pleased about this deal. HM Plant/GSE have given me so much support in the past and knowing we’ll get these 2002 spec bikes gives me a lot of confidence for next year.

” It’s been great having Neil as a teammate and I’ll be sorry to see him go. But having said that I’m still aiming to beat him. ”

There has been no announcement on a number two at GSE for Toseland, but we’ll make sure you’re the first to know.