20.07.09PBRA riders battle the elements
PBRA-supported duo James Toseland and Taylor Mackenzie battled the elements this weekend at a rain-soaked Sachsenring in Germany. Competing in the ninth round of the MotoGP World Championship, Toseland crossed the finish line in tenth place, while Mackenzie registered a DNF in his Red Bull Rookies encounter.
The weather conditions at the track were changeable at best and, at times, treacherous as riders across the classes fought just to stay upright. With rain lashing the circuit intermittently throughout the weekend, Toseland struggled with his overall setup and qualified in 14th place. But a lightening start enabled the Brit to mix it at the front of the pack. The two-time Superbike World Champion ran in the top ten throughout the race, but was unable to improve on his best finish of the season ahead of his home round at Donington Park on Sunday 26 July.
James Toseland, 10th 45 points
I got a decent start and I was pleased with that after what happened at Laguna Seca and the anti-wheelie system from Yamaha has made a massive difference. But I got boxed in at the first corner. I'm not sure who it was but I had contact on my right and left knee. I didn't roll off and got through but at the start of the race I had a few issues with the front tyre. We're not sure if it was the temperature or the full fuel load but at the start I didn't have much confidence.
After about half distance it really started working well and I could run a really consistent pace. With the mixed conditions all weekend, I'd not had chance to run the hard rear tyre, but I really thought it would come strong in the last ten laps and help me chase the bunch I was on the back for a while that were battling for seventh. But the hard tyre wasn't really an advantage for the last few laps and there was no difference in performance against the guys on the soft rear tyre. I'm satisfied with another top ten though and I'm now looking forward to my home race now at Donington Park. Another top ten has given me a bit of a boost.
I'll be looking to make amends for the disappointment of last year at the British GP and giving it my all for my home crowd.
Meanwhile, Taylor Mackenzie was unable to finish his Red Bull Rookies race at the German circuit. The youngsters weekend ended on lap 11 after he had qualified in 18th place for the flag-to-flag encounter. Mackenzie is also back in action at Donington Park, hoping to capitalise on his experience at the Leicestershire circuit and emulate is father Niall, who once led the British GP during his illustrious career.
