Toseland hopes to be crowned champion again this year

The 2004 world champion rides for the Ten Kate Honda team and is leading the 2007 championship standings.

He will hope to boost his chances of a second world title and delight the British fans when he races at Silverstone this weekend.

But before the weekend's racing began, he took time out to answer a selection of the questions you sent to him through this site.

Why is it so difficult for British riders to break into top flight motorcycle racing? We clearly have the talent (you for example!) yet when a Brit does get a chance it's always on non-factory second string machinery.
Russell Lester, England

One problem is that the British market for motorcycle sales is not as good as, for example, America, Spain and Italy. The title sponsors themselves also originate from these countries, which politically makes it difficult for British riders to be high on the list at MotoGP level because of the money involved at that level.

You seem to have been starting races superbly this season, getting to the front within the first few corners even when not at the front at the first corner. How much is it informed confidence, blind faith and determination, and sheer bravery to scythe past the other world class riders on tyres that are not at racing temperature?
Andrew Pollock

I just feel very confident in the package that I've got this year to push from early on in the race. The first few laps are vital because if you lose too much time in the first few laps, as we've seen with Biaggi with the slow starts, it is then very difficult to catch these guys up at this level.

What part of your body aches most the day after a race meeting?
Kevin Davies, England

Usually my lower back - with the way you move around on the motorcycle, you need a lot of core strength with the high power Superbikes these days.

I know you are having your best season yet in WSB but looking at the performance in MotoGP of the Ducatis, do you have any slight regrets in turning down the D'Antin ride?
Tom Brown, UK

Not at all. At the time of negotiating with the D'Antin squad, me and my manager Roger Burnett didn't know of the speed advantage that the Ducati would have this year, and looking over previous results for the team it would have been too much of a risk to take at this time.

Should the bikes used in World Superbike be more like the road bike and not have all the engine upgrades? This would make it cheaper for other teams to come into the competition.
David Harman, England

When it comes to rule changes and political decisions I try and keep out of it. Making the bikes more standard would definitely make the racing cheaper but at the moment we don't have too many problems financing the racing at SBK level, unlike the racing at MotoGP.

What things do you take around the world with you during the season to remind you of home?
Hannah Falkingham, England

Porridge and my mobile phone to keep in touch with my family and friends.

I would like to know which type of bike is easier to ride on the track - the Ducati twin you used to ride or the inline four you are riding now?
Martin Wells, England.

I won the championship on the twin, which was a great bike that year (2004) but I'm enjoying riding the four-cylinder Honda. As far as knowing which is best, they both had their advantages in different areas. Seeing as you are asking now it would be a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade!

I've heard that you are the fittest guy in motorsport, what form of exercise do you enjoy the most and how do you keep motivated?
Laura , England

I really enjoy running but I'm really lucky as far as fitness training goes because I enjoy all disciplines of training including rowing, cycling, cross training etc.

Motorsport or rock legend. Which would be your preference?
Gail, UK

Motorsport is my first love, but when I retire from racing the rock legend title sounds appealing too!

What career do you think you would have considered if you had not taken up motorbike racing?
Brian Cobb, England

Piano playing was what I thought I was going to do for a career until my mum's new boyfriend came along. He rode a motorcycle on the road and he started my motorcycling interest. This went on to be a career.

How do you prepare yourself in the last 20 or so minutes leading up to a race? It looks like you do some sort of "calm" preparation that is contrary to the way most people pump themselves up. I reckon a "calm" approach would be better... but without compromising the aggression you need into the first corner!
David Haydock, UK

You have pretty much summed it up for yourself there. I look calm from the outside but on the inside - it's all about the concentration and focus needed for 45 minutes of racing at 200mph with not one mistake.

Who you consider the best of the AMA Superbike (USA) racers? How do you rate Mat Mladin and Ben Spies? Would you like to race against them?
Maritza Santiago, Puerto Rico

Mat Mladin is the definitely the most successful AMA Superbike rider but it's nice to see a young American rider in Ben Spies coming up through the ranks and for sure this will please the American fans seeing as their championship has been won for the last six years by an Australian. It would be great to race against these guys at some point.

What sort of relationship do you have with your racing colleagues off the track ? Do you hang out with them and share a few beers or are they respected and ignored? Is it possible to be friends and enemies at the same time?
Antonio, Spain

I don't really socialise with any of the racers off the track. I have a close family and friends at home who give me so much support and also racing in the World Superbike Championship, most of the guys live in foreign countries where and would be difficult to keep in touch. I prefer to be at home with my friends.

Has there ever been an accident, either in a race you were taking part in or that you watched, that made you have second thoughts about racing?
Caroline Cohen, England

Never. My team-mate was tragically killed in 1998 at Monza and a South African lad was killed the year after right in front of me. But racing means that much to me that the danger doesn't enter my head even after witnessing these events.

In the off season will your band Crash be coming to the USA?
Michael Paccione, USA

We would love to and if there's anybody interested in brining the band over, please e-mail!

Have you ever lost your concentration during a race because something stupid popped into your head?
Julie Moseley, England

At this speed stupid things popping into your head fortunately doesn't happen - one thing I've really worked on is my concentration throughout the race.

Are you going to make it back to the Isle of Man to see any of the TT or even ride in the parade lap?
Julie Mac, Isle of Man

I get back from testing for Suzuka on 2 June, which is the race weekend. I'll be able to watch the races and also my band Crash is coming over for four gigs, which we are looking forward to.

If you were to go on a world tour with the band who would you have as your support?
Richard Glover, UK

Guns 'n Roses (the old line-up with Slash)

How many leathers and knee sliders do you go through in a year and do you have a special set of lucky leathers?
Susan Horsfall, United Kingdom

Probably about 10 sets of leathers and about 20 sets of knee sliders. I don't have a lucky set of leathers, I just hate them when they are new and really tight and uncomfortable so I tend to wear the same set as long as possible.

Do you think being competitive in MotoGP is more about having the right package/team around you, or is it the case that it suits riders with certain qualities and styles and is therefore not for everyone?
Robin Porter, UK

To be competitive in MotoGP you need the whole package with the bikes and the team behind you that is also capable of winning, as well as the rider.

How do you think the British Superbike field compares with the World Superbike field?
Jordan Lloyd, UK

BSB is the most competitive national championship in the world today and it's a great stepping stone up to World Superbikes because the level of machinery is very similar. The only difference is the depth of the field as far as rider ability goes is better at World Superbike level.

How do you think WSBs will evolve with the likely switch to 1200cc, and why increase capacity when MotoGP have reduced it to 800cc?
Michael, UK

We have much stricter tuning regulations and rules in WSB, which still makes a 1200cc Ducati less powerful than the Ducati 800 GP bike. At the same time, nobody wants to see World Superbikes going back to the days where if you are not on a Ducati you are not able to be competitive.

You are renowned for hitting amazingly consistent lap times - do you think this is helped because of your musical talent and sense of rhythm?
Rob Hare, England

The one thing I work on hard is my fitness training and this enables me not to lose concentration under tiredness later on in the race, which I think is the main reason for my consistent lap times. It is mainly tiredness that causes mistakes through lack of concentration.

What extra work have the Ten Kate Honda team and you put in this season as to compared to last year?
Neil Redman, New York

This is only the fourth year of WSB racing for Ten Kate but it's the first year really that they have had a complete competitive package. As far as having traction control etc, the team has had unbelievable success as World Supersport level and I think they are also capable of having this success in Superbikes.

Why in MotoGP and Superbikes are the starting grids getting smaller and smaller? We see good fights between big fields when only 15 of them are going to get points, but it's ridiculous in MotoGP where only about 19 bikes start. Do you think, like I do, that it's down to business and money killing the sport? Look at F1 - since they cut down the grids, it's boring.
Luciano Orgia, Germany

Money is always going to be a big factor in a highly competitive and expensive sport. Superbike racing is a production-based championship and should always be the cheaper way to go racing. But with traction control and all these expensive aids and the motorcycles today, it's making it difficult for the lower teams to be competitive. If this problem does get worse, I'm sure that (WSB boss) Paolo Flammini will change the rules to help the smaller teams out.

How much of a nightmare is it for you to get back to the Isle of Man from races, and do you actually manage to spend much time there? It must have some effect on your energy levels.
Justin Cleator, Luxembourg

Not at all, with the busy schedule these days of doing well in SBK and the PR and events that come as part of that, life is really busy so it's just so nice to get back to the Isle of Man and relax for a few days in between races.

Do you do any specific exercises to improve mental concentration, reaction times and peripheral vision?
Andy, Angola

No, it's just the experience of racing for so long and I'm used to being in that mindset for the length of the two races on Sunday which I can only put down to experience and my own personal mentality.

If the price was right and you had a competitive ride would you ever consider racing at the NW200, Ulster Grand Prix or TT?
Phil Hewitt, Northern Ireland

Unfortunately, I would never race on the roads because I don't feel that I could have the discipline to ride at 75%. Most of the guys that I speak to who race at these events say this is the kind of percentage they race at compared to short circuits. Because of this I would just prefer to watch the TT from my back garden at Ramsey - seeing my mates flying past and cheering them on.

There's a lot of young British talent coming through in BSB, who stands out the most for you?
Jason Cairns, Banbury

This year has been unbelievable for the new Supersport riders coming into the Superbike arena - Leon Camier, Tom Sykes, Karl Crutchlow. Also having the young riders like Kiyonari and Jonathon Rae and has made the 2007 BSB one of the most closely fought championships for a long time. It's great seeing the youngsters come up and being competitive.

When you crash do you make a point of trying to keep your fingers protected so you can play the piano?
Marc Croft, Northern Ireland