Test boosts Toseland's confidence

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider, making the switch to MotoGP this year after winning the World Superbike Championship, was among the fastest men on race tyres throughout the day - and an encouraging fifth overall after everyone switched to qualifying rubber.

"It is a massive boost for me," said Toseland, who ran in the team's new blue and yellow colour scheme for the first time. "I've made a big jump in time on race and qualifying tyres compared to November.

"I'm happy to finish fifth quickest but to be second for most of the day on race tyres is more important for me. I also did a long run and was pleased with my consistency, because it wasn't the best part of the day with the conditions pretty windy when I was out.

"My best time on race tyres in November was a 1:41.2, so to do a 1:40.7 is really encouraging. I was also a lot faster on my qualifying tyres so that shows the progress I'm making with the team. It just shows what work we have put in over the last few tests."

Although some of the lift in performance has come from developments on the bike, Toseland admits that he too has made progress in understanding how to ride MotoGP machinery.

"It has not been easy to adapt but with the experience of the team and especially my crew chief Guy Coulon, they are teaching me fast and it shows in the lap times. The time has come from the new traction control system that I didn't run in November, and a lot has come from me.

"I know how late I can brake and how the package reacts in certain situations. I can do things sub-consciously rather than wondering what is going to happen at that speed. When it is like that, you can progress and go faster and faster."

Teammate Colin Edwards was less satisfied with his showing, despite finishing the day fourth on the time sheets.

"My lap time looks good and I'm happy with that but we have got plenty of room to improve," said the American. "My pace wasn't bad but strangely it wasn't as good as my pace in November, and I have got an improved engine and electronics.

"The bike just seems a bit nervous going into the corner and the lap time is not coming as easy as it did in November. But that's why we go testing, though even with the problems we are still sitting in the top four which shows we are not in a bad position at all.

"I just want to be able to make the lap time a bit easier. Michelin is making a lot of progress with the qualifying tyres, and I think we have found a good direction for the season."