Misano MotoGP Reaction: Tech 3 back James Toseland for podium

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal believes British rider James Toseland is capable of recording his first MotoGP podium before the end of his rookie campaign.

Toseland roared back to form after a dismal run of results to claim his fifth top six finish of the season in Misano yesterday.

He held off the late challenge of Italian duo Loris Capirossi and Andrea Dovizioso and Poncharal said: “It was a fantastic race from James and I am really pleased to see him back up there fighting as we know he can do.

“When he suffers the whole team suffers and it is not been an easy period for him, but he has never let his head drop and he always kept his motivation and given Tech 3, Yamaha and Michelin 100 per cent.

“This result will give him a big boost for the remainder of the season, and maybe a podium is not impossible before the end. He came under a lot of pressure but he kept concentrated and showed the James we saw at the start of the season.”