Qatar test: James Toseland frustrated by desert downpour

British rider James Toseland’s hopes of kick starting his 2009 MotoGP campaign were thwarted by a five-minute rain shower on the opening night of testing in Qatar.

Desperate to bounce back from his 125mph high-side in Sepang last month, Toseland had only completed seven laps on board the 2009 Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 when the rain fell at 6.50pm.

The 28-year-old had managed to clock a best lap of 2.03.417, but he didn’t venture back out on track with some parts failing to completely dry without any sun or wind to help.

The worst affected section was from turns 11 to 16, where the rain had fallen heavier than at any other part of the track.

Toseland told MCN: “It is very frustrating. I went out and as always in Qatar on the first day, the track wasn’t in great condition and you need to wait a lot of time for the track to clear up.

“And with all the sand on the track it wears the tyres out really quickly. And the problem is with the new rules we only have a limited amount of tyres, so you can’t really afford to waste them.

“It rained and it took such a long time for it to dry at those last three corners that I didn’t even bother going out again.

“Earlier I’d only got seven laps out of a rear tyre because the abrasion from the sand was quite bad.

“So by the time it dried up there was only 45 minutes to go and I thought if the tyre is only going to last for five laps, then it is best to save them and with that much endurance we’re not developing or learning too much.

“I wanted to be back out there and get riding but I couldn’t. It is amazing how long it has taken to dry so the rain obviously came down hard out the back of the track.

“I just want to be able to get some laps under my belt and have some time on the bike to start getting a direction.”