Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner joins list of James Toseland admirers

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has joined the growing list of James Toseland admirers after the British rider’s impressive pre-season campaign.

Toseland’s growing confidence with his Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 saw him claim the second fastest time at the final winter test in Qatar last week.

And Toseland’s performances, which have already caught the eye of fellow Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi, have now been hailed by Aussie Stoner.

“James Toseland has surprised me and impressed me a lot,” said Stoner, who said newcomers like Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso had shown during testing that they could pose a big threat in 2008.

“The rookies are going unbelievably well.

“The 250 riders we expected to be to be fast but definitely we will see at the next few races how things will pan out. We have to do the best job we can.”