Toseland shrugs off riding criticism

The Briton clashed with Jorge Lorenzo in the season opener at Qatar, and was then criticised for his aggressive moves on Chris Vermeulen, Loris Capirossi, and Andrea Dovizioso last time out at Jerez.

But Toseland maintains that the moves were fair and thinks some of the complaints were made in the heat of the moment.

"I've heard a lot of talk about aggressiveness but it was hard but fair," he said. "If I've got the opportunity to pass then I'll take it.

"I got from 10th place to sixth place at Jerez and that's what I'm employed to do so I'll take my opportunities when I get them."

Vermeulen insisted that Toseland was at fault, saying: "I think he's going to get some of his own medicine if it continues. The manoeuvre at Jerez ripped my leathers open and bent the lever on the handle bar."

But Toseland played down the drama and claimed that neither Capirossi nor Dovizioso complained to him about his moves on them.

"I think Chris must have been asked under the heat of the moment and under the frustration of going from sixth position to 10th. My manoeuvre only cost him one place and then he slipped back due to his tyre problems.

"When you watch it back it was a strong move but it was certainly nowhere near dangerous. I did the same on Loris and Dovizioso, all on Turn Five onto the back straight. They were going slightly wide and cutting back in while I was able to hold a tighter entry into the corner."

But reigning champion Casey Stoner joined Vermeulen in condemning Toseland's aggressive overtaking.

"I saw a little bit of it in the first race and I wasn't far behind when I saw him and Lorenzo hit," he said. "I watched the race at Jerez again and was a bit disappointed. Everyone in this class has a lot of respect for each other and you see a lot of hard manoeuvres but not dirty.

"For me this was going a little bit past the point of clean passing. You can muscle into a position and muscle into a corner, but you're not supposed to be bashing fairings with everybody. You should be able to find a way through without hitting someone.

"This isn't soccer, you can't just fall and get straight up. These things hurt when you crash."