JAMES Toseland had a positive start to the seventh round of the MotoGP season, in Assen today.
The Kiveton rider lapped within half a second of the quickest time in the first practise session.
Toseland had arguably his best opening day of the 2009 campaign, benefitting from a radically revised set-up on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1, aft
er lengthy consultations with Fiat Yamaha Team Director Masahiko Nakajima after the last race in Catalunya.
Toseland was immediately able to find a fast pace running a softer rear shock spring and revised footpeg, handlebar and seat positions. Less than 20 minutes had elapsed when the 28-year surged into the top three, with only Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa faster.
He was easily able to maintain a place in the top six until a typically frantic conclusion to the session, though Toseland was just 0.537s away from the best time in ninth.
He said: "It was good today and I enjoyed it out there."
"I know this track very well and that makes a massive difference when you come to a familiar track."
He believes that winning at Assen during his time as a World Superbike competitor will pay off this weekend.
"All my knowledge of this place means I'm not thinking about where I need to be and I can just concentrate on the bike. I'm not too worried about being in ninth because the times are so close and I'm only half-a-second off first."
"I'm just pleased that I'm close to the front on the first day rather than being 1.1 or 1.2s off."
"My bike was a lot different today and we've moved more weight to the back. My bike has been set-up for a lot of grip, but as soon as the race tyre started to wear, I struggled and it's amazing how sensitive these bikes are to weight."
"We've gone a lot softer on the rear spring to get more load on the rear and I've got the grip and the drive now. I'd like to thank Mr Nakajima from Yamaha."
"I had a meeting with him on Sunday night in Barcelona and he has been in my garage all through that session giving me some help and I really appreciate his effort."
"This new setting feels quite a bit different because we've changed footpeg and handlebar position too, and while it doesn't feel as comfortable as my old setting, I'm definitely going round the track quicker and that's the main thing."
