Toseland rues rain at Sepang test

The reigning World Superbike champion had his first day riding the 800cc Yamaha M1 for the Tech 3 team, but his running was limited by the conditions and he was the slowest of the MotoGP riders at the end of the day.

The British rider also had a low-speed fall at Turn 1 early in the day, but he is confident that the remainder of the test will be better.

"It's a bit disappointing that the rain came along," Toseland told the MotoGP website. "I need a lot of time and this has spoilt it.

"Everything is new for me; the bike, the team, and the tyres. It's a big difference to a Superbike, the limits are much further forward.

"However, at the moment we are working well, and we have three days here to test."

Toseland's new teammate Colin Edwards, who is Yamaha's most senior rider at the test in the absence of Valentino Rossi, spent some time out on track trying to help the MotoGP rookie.

"I thought I'd help James out a little, going in front of him and letting him follow for a while," said the American.

"He's got a lot to get used to, so I thought I'd get him ahead of the game. He's doing good."