James Toseland signs for Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP

Tech 3 Yamaha has announced the signing of James Toseland for the 2008 season. The British rider will begin his MotoGP career with the Yamaha factory supported organisation next year. Currently leading the WSBK Championship by 43 points, James Toseland has already proved his racing credentials as he was the youngest ever World Superbike Champion in 2004 and is aiming to secure the title once again this season.

"I am delighted to have secured a rider of James' calibre and am looking forward to working with him," says Team Principal Herve Poncharal. "Procuring James is a major coup for Tech 3 Yamaha and for the MotoGP championship in extending our reach into Northern Europe. It is an exciting time for us all and I am certain that he will be an integral part of the team's future."

The British rider has decided to pursue his MotoGP ambitions next season and the confirmation of the decision at this early stage in the season enables a much wider window of opportunity for the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team to secure a high calibre replacement. However, the main focus for James for the remainder of the 2007 series is securing the championship title.

“I would like to thank the team for all of their help and support,” says James. “I have enjoyed two of the best years of my racing career with Ten Kate and Honda, and HANNspree has been a fantastic sponsor this year. I could not have achieved as much as I have without the team’s assistance and expertise and I remain 100 per cent committed to securing the title for them this year. I would like to wish them the best of luck for the future.”