James Toseland has been confirmed to ride in Honda’s number one factory team in this year’s Suzuka 8-hour race at the end of July.

Toseland will partner Japans Ryuichi Kiyonari on the number one Honda and the current British and World Superbike championship leaders are already being hotly tipped to win the prestigious event.

Toseland is currently in Japan completing a two day test in preparation for the Endurance event, but this time he’s there on his own with fellow Honda men Jonathan Rea, Carlos Checa and Kiyonari all unable to attend the test due to racing commitments at Oulton Park BSB and Sachsenring MotoGP this weekend.

During the opening day of the test Toseland got valuable wet track time with heavy rain falling at the Japanese track. The 26 year old Brit concentrated on tyre testing and lapped comfortably within the target time set by Honda.

This will be Toseland’s last test before the event takes place on 29th July 2008.



For a full report on Toseland’s test and his thoughts on his new team-mate see MCN out 18th July.

motorcyclenews.com