LORENZO MAKES A BIG SPLASH IN SPAIN!

Jorge Lorenzo produced one of the races of his life beating Dani Pedrosa on a last lap thriller, to a scorching victory in Jerez. Lorenzo’s Yamaha team-mate, Valentino Rossi was 3rd.

The number 99 rider had been the pace setter early on in the weekend and few would have bet against him to romp home to victory in front of his adoring fans. However, after qualifying, his fierce rival and compatriot, Dani Pedrosa, took pole position and suddenly it looked like it might not be so easy for the young Majorcan.

Lorenzo starting second on the grid didn’t make the best get-away and was fifth after the last lap. He soon passed the Ducati of Casey Stoner and then took the charge to the American, Nicky Hayden. With 18 laps left of the race, the 22 year old passed Hayden and set his sights on the current World Champion Valentino Rossi, who was a few seconds down the road. Pedrosa and Rossi had pulled a significant gap of around three seconds advantage early on in the race, but after a motocross accident a few weeks ago, it appeared Rossi wasn’t able to put up as strong a fight, as he would have wanted. The gap became closer and Lorenzo produced a great manoeuvre past his team-mate to take second in the race.

From then, the gap towards Pedrosa looked unobtainable. A gap of around three seconds with six laps to go made the chance of a win look untouchable. This wasn’t to be the case. Lorenzo had said it was "his
dream” to win a Moto GP race in Jerez and a little rider such as Pedrosa, a fellow Spaniard, was not going to spoil the party Lorezno had planned for 120,000 crazy, patriotic fans.

In the last two laps, Lorenzo managed the unthinkable. He was up close and personal with one may say an arch rival of his (remember those two have history from their 250cc days!) and the battle commenced! With neither rider wanting to give an inch in front of their devoted, fanatical support, it was a hard fight with Pedrosa shutting the door and making Lorezno fight around the outside. It looked impossible for the Yamaha to get in front of the Honda with only a lap remaining but he pulled out a breathtaking pass up the inside of Pedrosa, giving him a little nudge and sending the 24 year old out wide and claiming a stunning victory on the very last lap!

The fans went wild, as did Lorenzo himself. The ride of his life and surely that of someone who can mount a serious challenge for honours this season. What did the winner do to celebrate after? Jump into a lake of course, fully clothed in his leathers and helmet! His victory celebrations at the race track have always been “out there” but this time he really out-classed himself (and Rossi who normally knows a thing or two about unusual celebrations!). Luckily, Lorenzo was rescued from the water and arrived on the podium sopping wet with a massive grin and looking the happiest man on the world of Lorenzo’s Land!

There was sporting congratulations to his nearest rivals on the rostrum and it was nice to see a hug between him and Pedrosa after their amazing duel. Remember two years ago, King Juan Carlos of Spain had to make the two Spanish pretenders shake hands as they didn’t exactly have a warm friendship.

After the race Lorezno was hardly able to speak, full of pure emotion, "I have no words to describe how I feel. I am so tired. I did 100% effort today and that is my present. One of my dreams!"

It appeared that his present arrived early as he's due to celebrate his birthday in just two days time.

This enthralling race and victory put Lorenzo at the top of the championship standings, not a bad day’s work for someone who missed part of pre-season testing and suffered with a hand injury. Perhaps this season, Lorenzo’s Land really can rule the world? Next race is three weeks time (do we really have to wait that long!) at LeMans in France. Let’s hope it can be as exciting as this one. Now you will have to excuse me, I’m off to watch the re-run again and marvel at how Lorenzo stole the victory! Catalunya 2009, Rossi beating Lorezno at the final corner was awesome but today was something very special too…

By Leandra Graves

RAMPANT ROSSI ROARS TO WIN IN QATAR!

Reigning World Moto GP Champion, Valentino Rossi, raced to victory in the first round of the inaugural Moto GP Championship. It was a Fiat Yamaha one- two as his team-mate, Jorge Lorenzo finished second, whilst Italian Andrea Dovizioso took third on the Repsol Honda.

Losail Circuit was the venue for the eagerly awaited series to return and the fans were treated to a spectacular race. Racing in the desert, the race last year had to be cancelled for freakish monsoon conditions, but this year the weather stayed perfect and the race took place at night time, adding to the colour and occasion.

Australia’s Casey Stoner on the red Ducati, appeared favourite to secure the win. He set a blistering pole position time on Saturday on a track he has dominated in the past. This weekend was expected to be all about the man on the number 27 bike and after a few laps he was pulling away into the lead, looking like a forgone conclusion of a win in the opening round.

However, Stoner slid off into the gravel on lap five of the 22 lap race, under pressure from a chasing Rossi. This wasn’t the first time Stoner has fallen whilst in front. Stoner is undeniably one of the fastest men in Moto GP but it was a sorry start to this season’s campaign when it was his race to lose. His pace had been pulverising those behind him and he had just recorded the fastest time before his race came to an untimely end.

A disappointed Stoner said, “Once I got to the front I started to get into my rhythm but I lost the front end a couple of times in long corners so I made the decision to try to ride a bit smoother and not put so much pressure on the front tyre with the full tank. Unfortunately that is what led to the crash because looking at the telemetry I didn’t have enough load on the front, so I guess in hindsight I should have stuck to the way I’d been riding all weekend. It’s my mistake and I apologise to the team because we’d done a great job this weekend and we leave empty handed.”

His loss was Rossi’s gain, as he then took control of the race. Dovizioso and Stoner’s team-mate Nicky Hayden, were then locked in a titanic battle for second place, which went to the wire. ‘Dovi’ had massive speed down the straight and with the advantage he had, he managed to remind Rossi he wasn’t going to have everything in his own way. Dovi overtook Rossi, only for ‘Vale’ to retake the lead. It certainly gave the number 46 bike the hurry up, as then Rossi delivered several faster laps in succession to build a larger gap.

It was the first time since 2005 that Rossi has won the opening race of the calendar and this will be an ominous sign to his rivals. Rossi enthused, “These 25 points at this stage are like gold dust, it's a fantastic result for the team to make a one-two at race one. Stoner was quite far ahead of me, I thought then that it was going to be hard to catch him!” explained Rossi. “Then he made a mistake and crashed, which was bad luck for him but crucial for us.”

Rossi’s team-mate Jorge Lorenzo had appeared to be having a lonely race in fourth position after making a bad start and suffering with a broken bone in his right hand from a crash a few months ago. Many doubted the Spaniard’s fitness, how would he manage in full race conditions? The number 99 rode a cautious first half of the race but then Lorenzo seemed to come alive with around seven laps left when he started setting fastest laps, reeling in the fighting duo of Dovi and Hayden. With two laps left, he passed the Ducati and then sent Dovi out wide to grab second place. A superb fight back from the injured Lorenzo who had appeared to be struggling after qualifying. “Today I had to disconnect my brain and just ride with my heart, and I am so happy about this second place,” said an overjoyed Lorenzo. “My hand was a bit sore but the bigger problem was the rear sliding, and early on with a full fuel tank I found it quite hard. My plan was to take it quietly and not risk too much, but after a while the adrenalin built up and I couldn't do that, I had to ride at the maximum!”

Whilst Lorenzo’s joy was clear for all to see after the race, celebrating his 20 point finish as if it was a win, Hayden must have considered himself the unluckiest guy on the track. Losing a precious finish on the rostrum, as on the last lap he managed to find a way past Dovi’s number 4 bike, only for Dovi to steal the final podium place from him as he rocketed passed him on the straight, taking the chequered flag ahead of him in a photo finish for third. The difference between the two was just one hundredth of a second, absolutely breathtaking!

It was only the third time in Dovi’s career that he had achieved a podium in the Moto GP class, so he was understandably overjoyed with what was one of the best races of his career. There had been many changes for the Italian over the winter including a new crew chief and after the first race and winter testing, he seems to have the upper hand on his more illustrious team-mate.

Dovi’s teamate, Dani Pedosa would not be one man smiling after a race of mixed emotions. Pedrosa made an incredible start and jumped up six places to take the lead into the first corner. He initially battled with Stoner and Rossi and looked in excellent form and set for a podium. His pace didn’t continue though and he fell into the clutches of the current World Superbike Champion, Ben Spies and LCR Honda’s, Randy De Puniet who both finished ahead of Pedrosa. It was a disappointing start for Pedrosa to finish in a lowly seventh by his standards. Over the winter, he had changed his race number from three back to 26. Perhaps, not a good luck charm for him!

Ducati were another team with no luck and had a bad day at the office. With the demise of Stoner, Hayden who eventually lost his shot at the podium, the two Pramac Ducati boys of Mika Kallio and Aleix Espargaro both left the race early with the Finn suffering a crash and the latter mechanical gremlins. Perhaps their new colour scheme of lime green should be reconsidered!

One man reaching a marvellous milestone was the likeable Italian, Loris Capirossi. Starting in his 300th race, for which he marked with a 24 carrot gold helmet design and 300 on the front of his bike. At 37, he proves there is life in the elder statesmen of the pack and finished with a solid ninth place result after duelling with Colin Edwards. It was a sad end to Alvaro Bautista’s Moto GP debut, when he crashed out on the final corner of the last lap after a battle with his 250cc arch rival Marco Simonchelli. Rookie of the day went to Hiroshi Aoyama with 10th place ahead of his bitter rivals from last season.

My Rider of the Day: Jorge Lorenzo. The boy is unlucky when it comes to injuries but he can turn the magic on and produce the goods despite the pain and the awkwardness of the broken bone/stitches. His last few laps when passing Dovi and Hayden showed remarkable confidence and pace and I believe a fully fit Jorge (if there ever is such one!) can really take the challenge to Rossi again this season. He has a new manager and despite limited testing compared to his counterparts, he still delivered a fantastic result, one who claimed “he was happier with this 2nd place, than some of his wins!

It had been a long wait during the winter for Moto GP to return but it certainly came back with a bang. Motegi, Japan in two weeks time is sure to be a thriller. Can Stoner bounce back from Qatar or will Rossi romp to victory again? I’m sure Lorenzo and co will have something to say about that…!

Interviewing James Toseland

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/sport/James-Toseland39s-a-man-on.6002400.jp
*As published in the Isle of Man Examiner*

Toseland talks about losing his best friend, his hopes for next season and his X-factor crush!


James Toseland – the man seems to have it all. A double World Superbike Champion, model looks, talented piano player/singer and adored worldwide by thousand of fans. Leandra Graves caught up with him ahead of his charity gig with his beloved band Crash.

I interviewed James Toseland before his gig in a school classroom which was effectively his backstage area for the night. Looking dapper as always, James was dressed in a black leather jacket, colourful scarf, jeans and sat eating an orange (very healthy!) during our chat. He resisted the temptation of the cakes (while I was around anyway!) which had been decorated with his racing photos

James sings and plays piano (yes there is no end to this man’s talents!) in a band called Crash who perform gigs around the world and on some race weekends. The next stop for Crash was to perform at the Voyager School in Peterborough for a charity gig in aid of the Air Ambulance

Unfortunately for James, his 2009 campaign in the Moto GP series with Yamaha didn’t exactly go according to plan after a promising debut year in 2008. James will now be returning to the World Superbike Championship for 2010 where he has been so successful and dominant in the past and he will be looking to rekindle that winning feeling.

So how was James feeling about his departure from Moto GP after two years in the series? He explains, “I will miss the team. No matter what went on this year and the results, I will miss my team. They were unbelievably behind me and to see my team in tears that I was leaving them on the Sunday afternoon (at the last race in Valencia) was such an emotional experience for me. They were all really good lads.”

So the season is over for a professional motorcycle rider, surely the winter is all exotic holidays and about having fun? “With the World Superbikes starting in February and as we aren’t too far off December, once Christmas and New Year are out of the way, we will be testing in January and then the season starts. There’s not too much time off, to be honest, I don’t want a lot of time off. Now I’ve got an opportunity to be back on a bike, where I can win and which has been proven to win races, I’m just really upbeat about that. I have been in the gym every day since the season has finished, so I have been mainly concentrating on that as it’s going to take some adjustment to riding a Superbike again, which of course I had done for seven years so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

James is tipped as favourite to claim next season’s World Superbike Championship with his sparkling record in the series. Is next year for him all about winning that elusive third title or rebuilding his confidence and picking up wins and podiums? James states, “Even in Moto GP, I always went out to win, that’s how I am programmed to be, and I don’t know where I get it from. There’s nobody out there, that I believe can do better on a bike than I can and I think that any professional sportsman needs to have that self belief. Luckily, I have always kept those thoughts, even during tough times like now. It makes me believe even harder in myself so I have just got to keep pushing to get it out of me.”

This year’s Superbike Championship was a thrilling last race decider for the fight to be crowned World Champion. Who does James see as his biggest competition for silverware in 2010? “I think a lot of the Brits, which is really good for the sport and the country. I also think my team-mate who is the World Supersport Champion, Cal Crutchlow. Of course, Jonathan Rea has had a year in the series now and has been flying in the tests so he will be good. I know the Ten Kate bike will be strong of course, as I have won on it myself. Noriyuki Haga and Max Biaggi have had good years too but I think it will be close next year and I think there will be about five or six riders in with a chance of the podium next year.”

The men stealing all the headlines in this year’s Moto GP Championship were Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, both whom had a titanic battle throughout the season. From inside the paddock and from racing alongside them both, what were James thought’s on them both as people and riders.

“At the moment, I think they are two of the most elite riders in the Moto GP, as you can see by their results. Currently you have Rossi, Lorenzo and Stoner. Pedrosa, ok I know Dani won the last race of the season, but currently I think he’s just behind those three. Lorenzo, on TV to watch, annoys me like hell. The most arrogant, cocky little fella you can watch on television. He annoys me so much but he’s a lovely little kid. That’s why he has angel/devil on him as I can’t stand the devil side of him, as I really dislike arrogance and cockiness in people and he’s got that coming out of ears when he’s got his helmet on, but once the helmet is off, he’s quite a shy, reserved kid and a nice bloke.”

A very honest insight into the personality of maybe a misunderstood Lorenzo, so what would he have to say regarding the legend that is Rossi and his comical and fun character that is portrayed to TV fans worldwide. “Oh he is just like that, it’s not a show. Obviously he does put a show on for the cameras but at the end of the day we are all showmen and I think Moto GP has really benefited from having a character like him, but the nice thing is when he comes off the track he’s really similar and a nice genuine, bubbly guy. It’s not all just an act for the cameras. His record speaks for itself, a nine-time world champion; he’s one of the best riders ever. “

With speedway racing being another passion of mine and also a local attraction in Peterborough with our local team affectionately named the Panthers, I was keen to know if James had ever had any encounters on a speedway bike, as he had been spotted a few times at his local speedway track in Sheffield. “No I haven’t ridden a speedway bike, I have been on a grass track bike but I was so rubbish. Obviously there is a big following in Sheffield for the speedway and for myself and I know a few of the guys who race and they are always saying ‘Oh give us a call and you can come on one of the bikes’ and I have always said ‘Oh yeh ill ring you’ but I’ve just never made that phone call,’ he said laughing. ”It would be a disaster if I got injured from riding a speedway bike but I have to say it’s one of the things I like not wanting to do as that way I can really appreciate the job the boys do. I can then enjoy watching it without thinking I could do a better job than them. Obviously with road racing it’s my job, but with speedway I just appreciate what they can do on the bike and I like to leave them to it really.”

Being sat in a classroom, l was intrigued to know what James was like at school and whether he was able to focus on his school work or whether his heart and mind were always set on his future racing hopes. He says “My schooling was a bit disturbed with my motorcycling. I was very lucky to make it a professional career as when I was 16 and was leaving school, it certainly wasn’t set in stone. Fortunately, I did make it my career but I did have to take a few days off here and there, of course with things like Friday practices. Luckily I had a very understanding headmaster and had good teachers and friends there who would let me take the time off.”

James is one of the sports’ success stories but is it a realistic dream for most kids out to aspire to become a famous motorcycle rider? “It’s a different era now for kids getting into it, it’s now become an era where to ride for a top team, you need to be able to bring money with you to get a good ride. I was very fortunate you didn’t have to do that when I started, its going to be very tough for the kids now because I was from a very normal background with not a lot of money and I don’t think we could have done it. I don’t think I would have been able to be professional in this era if I was 15 again. However, it’s like anything, if you find something you enjoy and that you’re good at and which you can dedicate your time too, there’s no reason why you can’t make a career out of it.”

Ever the charity man, James, to the delight of thousands of fans (and many new ones I’m sure after seeing the photos) posed naked on a motorbike for Cosmopolitan magazine. Before the gig, James was in demand for numerous autographs and I noticed lots of fans had the “famous” photograph of him. Would he consider revealing all again for another charity event?

“That was three years ago that I did that photo shoot for testicular cancer. I enjoyed it and I would certainly do it again,” he smiled. I enjoyed training for it as I knew I would be naked. I always train hard at the gym but I did more work on weights than my normal cardio work-out to make sure I was happy with the look. It will be nice when I’m 50 years old and I can look back at that photographs and be really pleased with how hard I trained to get those images. To be honest at this gig, I have had about three or four people who wanted a signed photo of that epic picture? Before tonight I had forgotten about it. Perhaps it’s been republished somewhere as everyone seems to have it. I am always up for charity events and it was an added bonus to win the competition in the magazine and to win centrefold of the year. It was really great for me.”

Tonight’s gig was to raise funds for the Air Ambulance. “They were the services I needed in 2000 at Cadwell Park race track and they potentially saved my life so anything I can do for their cause is always very close to my heart. I will be doing everything I physically can tonight to raise as much money for the charity tonight. I have the actual race helmet that I wore in the last Moto GP race at Valencia to try and raise money so we will see how it goes.”

The race helmet eventually raised a stunning bid of £1,400 and along with other memorabilia on the night; an estimated total of over £5,000 was raised.

Being back in Peterborough must bring back some sad memories for James as one of his closest friends and fellow riders, Craig Jones, was killed in a race accident last year at Brands Hatch. Craig had lived locally in Warmington, near Oundle. “I actually stopped at his fiancée’s place last night, Karen Atkins; she is coming to the gig tonight. I haven’t actually seen her since his funeral. She has two great kids that are with an ex-manager of mine, Paul Bird. It’s a very close knit family and it was really nice to talk about Craig last night. It was the first time I have talked about him and had a laugh about some of the stories we shared. It was also the first time I felt I wanted to talk about him and it was nice to talk to someone who had been so close to him. I don’t like to talk about his death to my close friends or family as of course it’s my job also and it emulates how dangerous it is. I don’t want my family to be thinking about that so I don’t do that to my family. So it was really nice to be able to talk about him last night with Karen.”

I wanted to know if James had any riders he felt he classed as a best friend to him in the racing world. “It was Craig, he was a lovely lad. I really do miss him as a friend. I think with racers, obviously you’re competitive with each other, so you’re not really friends, more like acquaintances. When you cross the line things change but mainly I have lot of acquaintances in the sport and some good friends. Other than that I would say Pierfranesco Chilli was one of my closest friends; he was always a really nice guy.” So when it comes to having a laugh in the motor home or at the hotels on race weekends, he calls upon his “friends and family who are there for putting a smile on my face, not riders!”

Racing at tracks all over the world at 200 mph is one life for James. Singing and playing the piano, performing on stage with his band is another. Which gives him the biggest adrenalin buzz? “My love and passion is motorcycling, I still enjoy riding a motorcycle which is the main thing for me. That’s why I do the job. What is nice after one and half tough years, are the people, the loyal fans who come to the gigs, and they say no matter what you’re doing and where you’re racing, we’ll support you. That means a hell of lot to me. Of course there are people who know of you, they know of you through gigs but they don’t know you personally. I have spent a lot of time racing. It’s been 13 years since I have been professional, and I have always spent time with the fans, I have worked hard at it. It’s now coming back that people are loyal to me, even through the bad times. I have always taken the time out to meet the fans, especially at these gigs. It’s actually an ideal place to meet me as it’s a bit of fun for me with the band, playing with the band, whereas with the team you have the seriousness of racing a motorcycle, and you can see a bit of the real side of me, rather than the work face. Imagine some days if you had everyone coming to your work place, you can imagine some days you just don’t want it, where as the band thing is good for that.”

Inevitably racing careers don’t last forever, could a future in music be an option when he eventually retires from racing. He reveals “Oh definitely, I have written a few songs now and I am just going to keep on writing behind the scenes and one day I would love to bring an album out. The one thing with motorcycling is that of course you do have a large fan base and that would help sales with a potential album. It’s not a too distant thought. I am currently writing now but I think after everything, I am hoping that I will be able to retire from racing without having to do anything. I would just like to do it for myself as piano playing and singing have always been in my life and it would be nice to have an album one day whether it sells or not. I just want to do it for me as another personal achievement.”

For a change I thought we needed some light-hearted questions to let him have a break from the probing on Moto GP he had faced all year. Starting with reality TV! When being asked to choose a favourite between Strictly Come Dancing or X-Factor – “X-Factor” was an immediate response as “it’s a singing competition.” Since the nation is only talking about one thing, those cheeky Irish twins who aren’t exactly renowned for their singing ability – what was James opinion on the duo? “The twins can’t sing, but are great entertainment, but they did mess up when they voted Lucie out. After all it’s a singing competition and Lucie is a miles better singer than them. As far all the hype, that’s the only reason the twins are in, as everyone is talking about them and Simon Cowell knows that, which you can’t blame him for as it’s his business. But he’s got to forget about that sometimes and remember what the competition is about, as it’s about singing. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed that Lucie went out as I quite fancied her. She was quite cute. I think I was more disappointed about that then anything else!” He laughs. “But it’s good value show and entertaining.”

From my research before our interview I had noticed James’ favourite TV show was I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, so would he ever consider an appearance on the show? James states, “I have been asked to do it, but I don’t get the time. I think it lasts about two or three months. No way could I spend that much time in there with my racing commitments. I hate creepy crawlies and spiders and when my mum saw the e-mail come through about the offer of me going on I’m a Celebrity, she was like ‘There’s no way you could do that, you can’t even pick a spider up’ and I was going ‘yeh, yeh, yeh I can, I was being all manly about it and then I went upstairs and thought “actually she’s right’. He laughed. “I think I could shove the things down my throat to eat. I think I could do that. Claustrophia and creepy crawlies I don’t do, so believe me, if I did do it, it would be a massive challenge.”

So I learned James is a bit of a fan of some trashy reality TV (aren’t we all, let’s admit it). What would his taste in recent films he had seen reveal? “Well I have seen quite a lot recently on my long haul flights. One of which was Transformers 2.” Which we discussed wasn’t maybe as good as the first one as there hadn’t been a high expectation level with the first one. He later admitted he also watched that film for Megan Fox, “She’s hot!”

Did James have any embarrassing or unusual nicknames that he was affectionately know as? “My nickname at school was Todo. My big brother, who is 18 months older than me, got it at school because of Toseland as a surname. I don’t know where it came from though! Other than that it’s just been JT really. I may have been called plenty worse but you can’t print those ones!”

For someone so passionate about their music, I wanted to know what he was currently listening too on his I-pod. “I have just bought the Journey album as we are doing a couple of their songs tonight. Whose Crying Now is the song we are doing tonight, so we will try that one, but so far we have all liked it. I hadn’t listened to much Journey before but it is really good.” Regarding his band’s performance, he says, “We have possible five new songs tonight, at least four we will do. Sweet Child of Mine was the first one I ever did so I really like that one. We have done some new music in the warm-up so will see how that goes tonight.”

I wanted to ask one final question of James about his future ambitions in the sport and if he had any desire to return to Moto GP again one day despite the turbulent season he had suffered in 2009. “I never say never. The rules could change in the next couple of years with engines amongst other things, so if things do change and I get offered a chance to be on the right bike at the right time I would definitely consider it. It’s a bit like F1 in that sense about being in the right place at the right time, and if I get offered a chance in the near future, I will take it. I’m just looking forward to next season now, on a bike that I know I can win on and it’s all down to me again and I like that.”
Copyright Leandra Graves