James Toseland
James Toseland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nationality | English | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Doncaster,[1] South Yorkshire | 5 October 1980||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | WRP Wepol Yamaha Racing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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James Michael Toseland (born 5 October 1980)[1] is an English former motorcycle racer and vocalist of his own rock band named Toseland. For 2020, he is team-manager of Wepol Racing with riders in World Supersport and Supersport 300.[2]
Toseland was the
Aside from racing, Toseland is a pianist (reaching
Early life and education
Toseland was born in
Although the family struggled with income, Toseland attended junior
Motorcycle racing career (1995-2000)
Transferring his motorcycle career from off-road to road racing after Wright's death, Toseland quickly worked his way up through the ranks becoming 1995 Junior Road Race Champion before moving on to 125cc racing in the UK Superteen series, and then sprang to prominence in the late nineties when he dominated the
As a result of his early racing success, he was signed to the factory
He joined the British Superbike Championship series in 2000, riding for Paul Bird's Vimto-sponsored team on a Honda VTR He contested the first seven rounds, missing four more through injury, and over the course of these picked up 101 points. Altogether, this placed him 12th in the championship and his results included seven finishes in the top eight riders, including two sixth places at Oulton Park.[6]
Superbike World Championship (2001-2007)
As a result of his early racing success, he was signed to the factory Castrol Honda
In
2005 proved to be more of a struggle for Toseland, with a lack of team support as well as the returning Suzuki and Yamaha teams[5] and the improving Honda camp of five riders including Chris Vermeulen and Pierfrancesco Chili. This combination of factors ended the domination of Ducati, and Troy Corser took the championship on a Suzuki, with Toseland finishing fourth overall.[citation needed]
For 2006 Toseland switched to the Winston Ten Kate Racing Honda racing team, replacing the MotoGP-bound Chris Vermeulen, where he rode alongside Australian Karl Muggeridge. Toseland won the season-opener in Qatar, and finished second in the championship behind Troy Bayliss. He was contacted to replace injured Toni Elías for the Fortuna Honda team for a one-off appearance in MotoGP, but this did not happen for sponsor-related reasons.[citation needed]
Toseland was linked to the d'antin Ducati satellite team in MotoGP in 2006, and received an offer to ride for them in 2007. However, d'antin had not performed well over recent years, and Toseland turned the offer down, not willing to make up the grid on a bike that wasn't competitive.[citation needed]
Toseland remained in
Toseland became part of the Phil Burgan Race Academy (PBRA) – a programme for developing British talent in motorcycle sport – in 2007.[citation needed]
MotoGP (2008-2009)
Toseland was linked with the
Facing eight unknown tracks, Toseland had reason to expect a tough season Toseland faces 'last of the eight'., but he was immediately more competitive than originally anticipated. He qualified in second place and finished sixth in the opening race at Qatar on 9 March.[11]
He then qualified in eighth place and finished sixth at Jerez on 30 March despite suffering from bronchitis.[citation needed]
Fellow MotoGP riders Chris Vermeulen, Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner complained about his aggressive riding style. Toseland stated that his moves were "hard but fair", and that it was his job to overtake his rivals when he had the chance to do so.[12]
Before the British MotoGP round at Donington Park, Toseland said that if he were the first Briton to win in 27 years at the top level that he would strip naked on the ride back to the pits.[13] However, he crashed in the first corner of the race, but picked his bike up to finish in 17th place, his worst finish of the season to that point, over a lap behind the winner Casey Stoner.[citation needed]
Toseland struggled through the middle part of the season for top ten finishes, achieving two ninth places (the Netherlands and the United States). One of James' better showings was at Brno where he finished 13th, ahead of his teammate Colin Edwards. Amidst Bridgestone dominance he was the third-highest finisher on Michelin tires, the first being Andrea Dovizioso placed in ninth. At Phillip Island he ran third for a while but ultimately faded to sixth after frantic battles with the factory-supported Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo as well as Dovizioso and Shinya Nakano.[citation needed]
Overall Toseland had a mixed first year in the Moto GP class, finishing 11th overall in the championship with 105 points. Inconsistency was one of the main problems as he was unable to record regular top ten results despite having only two DNFs.[citation needed]
It was confirmed that Toseland would stay on for 2009 with the Tech3 Yamaha team, racing alongside Colin Edwards as he did in 2008. Yamaha also decided to continue its relationship with the Tech3 brand through to 2010.[14]
In pre-season testing, Toseland suffered two major accidents, one with concussion.[15] In 2008 Toseland had been unhappy with the communication with his engineer and his complaints led to a switch of crew chief with teammate Colin Edwards. Edwards resented this change and refused to speak with Toseland during the early rounds of the season.[16] Despite the change in crew chief Toseland only finished ahead of Edwards in two races for the year. Toseland also received jump-start penalties at the Laguna Seca and Phillip Island rounds, the former resulting in a disqualification.[17]
On 1 October 2009, Yamaha officially confirmed that Spies would join Yamaha Tech3 to ride in the 2010 MotoGP championship, taking Toseland's place in the team.[18] It was also announced before the Portuguese GP that Toseland would return to the Superbike World Championship.[19]
Return to Superbike World Championship – and retirement (2010-2011)
After losing his place at Tech3 Yamaha to
For 2011, after being offered a return to Ten Kate Honda, he signed for the factory-backed BMW Motorrad Italia Team aboard the BMW S1000RR.[21]
In September 2011, Toseland confirmed that, following the wrist injury sustained during a crash at Aragon in Spain, he would retire from racing immediately.[4]
Toseland used his previous experience on the race track to help develop up-and-coming motorcycle racing stars of the future as part of his involvement with the Phil Burgan Race Academy. From 2012, Toseland stepped into a mentoring role,[22] providing one-to-one support for the Academy's talented young motorcycle racers including Danny Kent and Sylvain Barrier.
In December 2012 he announced he would attempt to break the motorcycle land speed world record in September 2014; this was delayed due to adverse weather and surface conditions.[23] The streamliner that Toseland will ride for the attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, United States is powered by a Rolls-Royce jet engine and is called 'The 52 Express' after Toseland's racing number. The record attempt is led by former GP and TT sidecar competitor Alex Macfadzean.[24]
World Supersport management
For 2020, he was confirmed as team-manager of Wepol Racing based in the Czech Republic, with riders in World Supersport and Supersport 300. Wepol has backing from YART, and Toseland also acts as mentor to Wepol's rider Danny Webb, a former endurance racer.[2]
Music
Following the premature end of his racing career, Toseland returned his focus to his first love – music. After parting with his band Crash, he is now fronting a band simply named Toseland. The band's debut single: "Life is Beautiful" premiered online in April 2013.
The first album Renegade was released in 2014 and Toseland's first three releases, from the album, ("Life Is Beautiful", "Crash Landing" and "Renegade") all made it on to the A list on national radio stations and the album has received outstanding reviews. UK headline tours followed, along with special guest slots with Status Quo and Reef, at the Calling Festival with Aerosmith and various appearances in Europe.[citation needed]
The second album Cradle The Rage was released in March 2016, and was followed once again by tours all over the UK and Europe. Along with their own headline shows, the band hit the road supporting Deep Purple and Black Stone Cherry.[citation needed]
Toseland re-recorded the song "'We'll Stop At Nothing" from their Cradle The Rage album with the ChorusUK choir. The single became the official anthem for the Special Olympics GB 2017.[25] In November 2017, Toseland announced that they had signed a deal with premier rock label Frontiers Records, and that they have begun work on their third album - as of 2023 this seems to have been shelved.[26]
Personal life
Toseland was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2007.[27][28] He demonstrated his piano-virtuosity during the ceremony, performing a specially written solo blues/jazz piece.[29]
He was voted as the BBC Yorkshire Sports Personality of the Year in 2007.[30][31]
Toseland was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in 2009.[32][33] He became a patron of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity in 2012.[34] Amongst his fundraising efforts he has taken part in the majority of the charity Easter Egg Runs where motorcyclists raise money and deliver soft toys chocolate treats to poorly children at the hospital.[35]
In January 2012 Toseland announced his engagement to the singer Katie Melua.[36] They were married on 1 September 2012, in the Nash Conservatory, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London.[37] In 2020 Melua revealed that the couple had separated.[38]
Racing Career statistics
Notes:
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
All Time
Series | Years Active | Races | Poles | Podiums | Wins | 2nd place | 3rd place | Fast Laps | Titles | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
World Supersport (WSS)
|
1998–1999 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
World Superbike (SBK)
|
2001–07, 2010–2011 | 201 | 4 | 61 | 16 | 26 | 19 | 2 | 2 | |
Moto GP | 2008–09 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 252 | 4 | 61 | 16 | 26 | 19 | 2 | 2 |
Supersport World Championship
Year | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Pos | Pts | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Honda | GBR |
ITA |
SPA |
GER |
SMR |
RSA 10 |
USA Ret |
EUR 8 |
AUT 12 |
NED Ret |
19th | 18 | [39] | |
1999
|
RSA 6 |
GBR 8 |
SPA 11 |
ITA 9 |
GER 13 |
SMR 13 |
USA 11 |
EUR 7 |
AUT Ret |
NED 7 |
GER 22 |
11th | 59 | [40] |
Superbike World Championship
Year | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Pos | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | |||||
2001
|
Ducati | ESP Ret |
ESP 9 |
RSA 14 |
RSA Ret |
AUS 14 |
AUS C |
JPN 11 |
JPN 16 |
ITA Ret |
ITA Ret |
GBR 8 |
GBR Ret |
GER Ret |
GER 17 |
SMR 11 |
SMR 8 |
USA 10 |
USA 7 |
EUR 11 |
EUR 6 |
GER 10 |
GER 12 |
NED 10 |
NED 8 |
ITA Ret |
ITA DNS |
13th | 91 | [41] |
2002
|
ESP 12 |
ESP 10 |
AUS 8 |
AUS 7 |
RSA 6 |
RSA 8 |
JPN 9 |
JPN 11 |
ITA 5 |
ITA Ret |
GBR 10 |
GBR 9 |
GER 7 |
GER 7 |
SMR 8 |
SMR Ret |
USA 9 |
USA 6 |
GBR 9 |
GBR Ret |
GER 6 |
GER 8 |
NED 6 |
NED 3 |
ITA 6 |
ITA 6 |
7th | 195 | [42] | |
2003
|
ESP 4 |
ESP 3 |
AUS Ret |
AUS 4 |
JPN 3 |
JPN 5 |
ITA 4 |
ITA 5 |
GER 3 |
GER 1 |
GBR 2 |
GBR 4 |
SMR 2 |
SMR Ret |
USA 3 |
USA Ret |
GBR 6 |
GBR 3 |
NED 4 |
NED Ret |
ITA Ret |
ITA Ret |
FRA 5 |
FRA 2 |
3rd | 271 | [43] | |||
2004
|
ESP 1 |
ESP 2 |
AUS 3 |
AUS Ret |
SMR 10 |
SMR 6 |
ITA 2 |
ITA 2 |
GER 2 |
GER 2 |
GBR Ret |
GBR 5 |
USA 4 |
USA 7 |
GBR 2 |
GBR Ret |
NED 1 |
NED 2 |
ITA 3 |
ITA 2 |
FRA 1 |
FRA 2 |
1st | 336 | [44] | |||||
2005
|
QAT 6 |
QAT 6 |
AUS 14 |
AUS Ret |
ESP 8 |
ESP 19 |
ITA 3 |
ITA 5 |
EUR 3 |
EUR 1 |
SMR 4 |
SMR 4 |
CZE 2 |
CZE 8 |
GBR Ret |
GBR 7 |
NED 2 |
NED 3 |
GER 4 |
GER 11 |
ITA 4 |
ITA C |
FRA 3 |
FRA 6 |
4th | 254 | [45] | |||
2006
|
Honda | QAT 1 |
QAT 4 |
AUS 3 |
AUS 2 |
ESP 9 |
ESP 11 |
ITA Ret |
ITA 5 |
EUR 3 |
EUR 3 |
SMR 2 |
SMR 8 |
CZE 2 |
CZE 5 |
GBR 2 |
GBR 5 |
NED 10 |
NED 9 |
GER 9 |
GER 1 |
ITA 2 |
ITA 5 |
FRA 1 |
FRA 3 |
2nd | 336 | [46] | ||
2007
|
QAT 2 |
QAT 1 |
AUS 2 |
AUS 1 |
EUR 1 |
EUR Ret |
ESP 5 |
ESP 1 |
NED 1 |
NED 2 |
ITA 4 |
ITA 2 |
GBR 8 |
GBR C |
SMR 4 |
SMR 6 |
CZE 1 |
CZE 2 |
GBR 1 |
GBR 1 |
GER 9 |
GER 4 |
ITA 3 |
ITA 11 |
FRA 7 |
FRA 6 |
1st | 415 | [47] | |
2010
|
Yamaha | AUS Ret |
AUS 10 |
POR 7 |
POR 6 |
SPA 3 |
SPA 7 |
NED 2 |
NED 3 |
ITA 2 |
ITA Ret |
RSA 7 |
RSA 6 |
USA 9 |
USA Ret |
SMR 10 |
SMR Ret |
CZE 7 |
CZE 4 |
GBR 8 |
GBR 5 |
GER Ret |
GER 8 |
ITA Ret |
ITA Ret |
FRA Ret |
FRA Ret |
9th | 187 | [48] |
2011
|
BMW | AUS 17 |
AUS 14 |
GBR |
GBR |
NED |
NED |
ITA DNS |
ITA DNS |
USA 15 |
USA DNS |
SMR |
SMR |
SPA |
SPA |
CZE WD |
CZE WD |
GBR 12 |
GBR 13 |
GER 13 |
GER Ret |
ITA |
ITA |
FRA |
FRA |
POR |
POR |
22nd | 13 | [48] |
Grand Prix motorcycle racing results
Year | Class | Bike | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Pos | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | MotoGP | Yamaha | QAT 6 |
SPA 6 |
POR 7 |
CHN 12 |
FRA Ret |
ITA 6 |
CAT 6 |
GBR 17 |
NED 9 |
GER 11 |
USA 9 |
CZE 13 |
SMR 6 |
INP 18 |
JPN 11 |
AUS 6 |
MAL Ret |
VAL 11 |
11th | 105 |
2009 | MotoGP | Yamaha | QAT 16 |
JPN 9 |
SPA 13 |
FRA 9 |
ITA 7 |
CAT 13 |
NED 6 |
USA DSQ |
GER 10 |
GBR 6 |
CZE 9 |
INP 6 |
SMR 10 |
POR 9 |
AUS 14 |
MAL 15 |
VAL 12 |
14th | 92 |
References
- ^ a b c JamesToseland.com – vital stats About James Toseland at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 May 2012)
- ^ a b James Toseland 2020 WorldSSP team manager role officially confirmed visordown.com, 27 November 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2020
- ^ a b Toseland claims Superbikes title BBC Sport – 7 October 2007
- ^ a b "Injury forces Toseland to retire". BBC News. 9 September 2011.
- ^
- ^ "James Toseland profile". Motorcycle Racing Online. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Toseland makes winning WSB start". BBC News. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- ^ "Toseland leader after second win". BBC News. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- ^ "autosport.com – MotoGP News: Toseland to ride for Tech3 Yamaha in '08". Autosport. 1 August 2007.
- ^ "Toseland to wear BKS in MotoGP". www.motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Qualifying times - Qatar". Crash. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Toseland shrugs off riding criticism autosport.com, retrieved on 10 April 2008.
- ^ "Video: James Toseland's massive MCN MotoGP send-off party". www.motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Beer, Matt. "Toseland to stay with Tech3 for 2009". Autosport. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "Toseland a double knockout! – Sport – The Star". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Shea, Julian (2 April 2009). "Toseland regrets Edwards fall-out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ^ "Toseland labels Laguna Seca black flag 'pretty harsh'". MotoGP.com. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ^ "Toseland loses MotoGP ride to Spies". Insidebikes. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ^ "Toseland to return to Superbikes". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- ^ "Toseland confirmed with Yamaha WSB". Insidebikes. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ^ Toseland joins BMW Motorrad Italia for 2011 – The Official Website of James Toseland – WSKB Rider and Musician
- ^ "About PBRA – James Toseland". 21 February 2012.
- ^ The 52 Express Retrieved 9 November 2014
- ^ Tremayne, Sam. "James Toseland to spearhead UK motorcycle land speed record attempt". Autosport. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "Toseland - Official Site - Home". Toselandmusic.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Toseland - Official Site - News". Toselandmusic.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2007 shortlist unveiled BBC, 30 November 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ James Toseland : The Autobiography, p.251 at Google books. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ BBC Sports Personality 2007 as it happened BBC Sport, 9 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ Toseland wins BBC Yorkshire award BBC Sport, 3 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ Biker James Toseland named as Yorkshire's top BBC Sports Personality BBC, 4 December 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ MotoGP’s Doctor Toseland on the right track Sheffield Hallam University, 24 July 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ Honorary Doctorate - 2009 Sheffield Hallam University. Retrieved 24 August 2021
- ^ "Our Patrons". www.tchc.org.uk. The Children's Hospital Charity.
- ^ "Theo's Egg Run returns to help our hospital!". tchc.org.uk. Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity. 9 April 2019.
- ^ "Katie Melua engaged to James Toseland". Evening Standard. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Katie Melua weds ex-Superbike champ". The Belfast Telegraph. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ Sedgwick, Catherine (13 October 2020). "Katie Melua – Album No. 8 | Album review". The Upcoming. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Worldsbk.Com | Standings". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Sbk.Com | Rider". Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
External links
- James Toseland at MotoGP.com
- James Toseland at WorldSBK.com
- Official website
- James Toseland video interview
- Official Toseland band website