Toseland confirmed with Yamaha WSB

Added on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Yamaha have confirmed that James Toseland will ride with them in the 2010 World Superbike Championship, with Cal Crutchlow partnering the 2007 champion in an all-British line-up.

Just minutes after it was announced that Ben Spies will switch from WSB to MotoGP team Tech 3 Yamaha, the manufacturer has confirmed that Toseland will swap seats with the American for the 2010 championship.

“I’m looking forward to return to World Superbikes,” said Toseland. “I want to show I’m still the rider that can win world titles.

” Of course there is some disappointment at losing my opportunity in MotoGP as I believe the challenge was still achievable, but the R1 has proven to be beyond the strongest bikes in Superbike and I know many of the Yamaha World Superbike Team guys, so I’m going to pick up where I left off and give 100% to achieving good results with the team.

“Within Superbike there were a few options available to me, however the way Yamaha have treated me since I joined them has been outstanding. They gave me a great opportunity in MotoGP, but now I do wish Ben all the best in his campaign and my aim is to continue Yamaha’s success in World Superbike.”

He will be partnered by former British Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow, who will step up from Yamaha’s World Supersport team to replace Tom Sykes, who has not been offered a new contract.

“I’m happy to stay to be staying with Yamaha,” said Crutchlow. “This will be my second year of my two year contract as agreed when I started in Supersport this year.

“Moving up to World Superbike will be a great challenge, I’m looking forward to it and am under no illusion as to how hard it is but I intend to do a good job. I’m also looking forward to riding with another Brit.

“Ben is obviously doing really well this year and I wish him luck for the last two WSB rounds and next year in MotoGP. It’s great to be working with Yamaha again in 2010.”

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