Toseland is eager to bounce back after a disappointing 2005

Toseland, who won the title in 2004, has seen his preparations hampered by illness and mechanical problems.

But Toseland said his new Ten Kate Honda team are ready for the first race of the season in Qatar this weekend.

"The guys in the team are totally switched on and it's obvious they're doing it to win," he said.

Toseland switched to Honda at the end of last season after being sacked by the Ducati Xerox team as he failed to retain his 2004 title.

The 25-year-old, who finished fifth last year, replaces Chris Vermeulen following the Australian's switch to MotoGP.

But things have not run totally smoothly for Toseland's new team and the Fireblade bike during the close season.

"We had a [suspension] chatter problem in testing which led us up against a brick wall for a while but we discovered using some new tyres from Pirelli definitely helped," Toseland added.

We're really looking forward to bringing the best out of him Team boss Ronald ten Kate

"We were able to do some solid fast laps but not a single blisteringly hot one.

"The different things we had to test made it a bit difficult to get into a rhythm and the chatter problem was a little frustrating but we did manage to test an awful lot of stuff though, so we're all confident we know which way to go.

"Generally though, the bike wasn't doing anything it shouldn't and it was just a case of getting used to it.

"And I have been getting more familiar with it and more comfortable on it each time I go out.

"We all know how powerful the Ten Kate engines are and I'm really excited about helping to continue developing the chassis as well."

And Toseland was also struck down by illness which he feared could have wrecked his season.

"When the doctors first told me they thought it might be glandular fever I was very worried," he said.

"But I was really very fortunate in that I responded well to the antibiotics and it turned out the illness was just a bad case of throat infection, so I'm feeling a lot better now."

Toseland signs to race for Honda

And team boss Ronald ten Kate said his new rider has what it takes to bring success to the team.

"James fits exactly what we're looking for in a rider - he's young, talented and highly motivated," he said.

"We're really looking forward to bringing the best out of him and, in the conversations that we've had, I can see how eager he is.

"His career started with Honda and it'll be good to get him winning with Honda again."

Following the opening race in Qatar, the campaign travels to Phillip Island in Australia on 5 March.