James Toseland says he is happy after the first practice session at Phillip Island despite a low-speed crash at Lukey Heights.
The Monster Yamaha rider set the seventh fastest time, two places behind team-mate Colin Edwards.
Aside from the crash the British rider was constantly in the top six for most of the session.
“I’m satisfied with seventh because we’ve managed to get some good information on the set-up and I feel I’m in my best position on a Friday for a long time. I was fast right from the off and in the top six for a long period which was really encouraging,” said Toseland.
“My guys worked hard as always to improve the bike and by the end of the session I felt we’d made some real progress. I had a small issue with the balance from front to rear when exiting corners, but we’ve got some ideas on how to improve that tomorrow. I had a small crash going down the hill after Lukey Heights and that was just a small mistake of mine.
“I was good in that section of the track and looking to make up some time on the splits where I wasn’t quite so fast and I just lost the front. It cost me a bit of time but didn’t knock me out of my rhythm too much and by the end I was happy with my times and confident I can be fighting for a top six on Sunday.”
Photo credit: Monster Yamaha
