James Toseland

James Toseland is an English motorcycle racer, from Kiveton Park, Sheffield, who won the 2004 World Superbike championship on a Ducati. When he joined GSE to race in the series in 2001 he was only 20 but had a little top-level experience, having raced in British Superbikes the previous year and World Supersport in 1998 and 1999, without a top 5 finish in either. By late 2002 he was challenging for top-5 results, taking 7th place overall that year. In 2003 the team was more competitive than ever, allowing James to take his first win at Oschersleben, 3rd in the championship, and a plum ride with the factory Ducati team for 2004. He pipped Regis Laconi and Chris Vermeulen to the title at the final meeting of the season. In 2005 the returning Suzuki and Yamaha teams, as well as the improving Honda of 5 riders including Vermeulen and Pierfrancesco Chili have made life tougher for James, and he looks likely to finish in the championship top 5.