By Julian Shea

Toseland won the title for Ducati in 2004 and Honda in 2007

World Superbikes champion James Toseland has told BBC Sport he is happy with the progress he has made in testing since moving up to MotoGP.

Toseland will race for Tech 3 Yamaha in the top class next year after winning the Superbikes crown for a second time.

"In Spain my time was just 0.10 seconds behind Valentino Rossi," he said.

"The time I did at the end would have been on the front row of this year's Spanish Grand Prix, so we've started off on a good footing."

The 27-year-old Yorkshireman, who is on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, will be the sole Briton on the MotoGP grid next season.

So far he has had two testing sessions on the 2007 model Yamaha, and in the new year he will be given the 2008 bike for final testing before the championship starts in Qatar on 9 March.

"I've been testing in Malaysia and Spain, and both were new tracks for me," he said.

"Malaysia is over two minutes a lap and technically it's a very difficult, one of the hardest I've had to learn. That was just a shakedown, and then in Spain, we got to grips with everything a bit better."

As well as learning about new tracks, Toseland said the new bike was presenting him with plenty of challenges.

Honda and Ducati offered me a 2007 bike, but at this level any disadvantage means you won't be competitive James Toseland

"The big difference between Superbikes and MotoGP bikes is the weight," he said.

"MotoGP bikes weigh 40kg less, so the manoeuvrability is incredible, and they have carbon brakes instead of steel, so you brake 20m later.

"When you've been programmed for seven years on a Superbike to brake as late as you think possible without going in the gravel, and then you get on a new bike, you've got to reprogramme your mind to know that you can brake that late and still make the corner.

"Getting used to the power of the bike is a lot easier than trying to get used to different braking technique and the different lines to take."

606: DEBATE How do you think Toseland will fare in MotoGP?

While he admitted it was strange to see so many strangers in the paddock after seven years in Superbikes, one familiar face is new team-mate Colin Edwards.

"When I did two years in Supersport in 1998 and 1999, Colin was my team-mate and we had a strong relationship, so I was really happy when I found I was working with him again," he said.

"He knows it's his last year, he wants to go out on a high and he knows it's my first year, so he wants to teach me everything he can."

In 2007, Yamaha struggled to adapt to the new rules restricting engine capacity, but Toseland insisted he was joining a competitive team.

"Yamaha were the only manufacturer to offer me a 2008 bike," he said.

"Honda and Ducati offered me a 2007 bike, but at this level any disadvantage means you won't be competitive.

"I had an ambition to go to MotoGP because it's the pinnacle of racing. I felt I'd achieved everything I could in Superbikes, I'm 27, I'm not getting younger, I've got a good ride and it was the right time."

Toseland said he is honoured to be on the Sports Personality list

Despite Superbikes' relative lack of media coverage, Toseland's achievements have earned him a place on Sunday's shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the year, something of which he said he is very proud.

"Profile-wise I realise biking isn't up there with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton," he said.

"I'm a two-time world champion which is very good, but it doesn't get the coverage, so it is nice that it's being recognised.

"I've already won the BBC Yorkshire Sports Personality and that was a surprise. It was massive for me and for the sport. It shows it has a massive fanbase despite the absence of coverage."

Toseland admitted he would be "absolutely speechless" to win the award on Sunday, but said he knew where his vote would go.

"If Ricky Hatton wins on Saturday night he's got my vote - I'll certainly be paying to watch the fight," he said.

"But if he doesn't, profile-wise Lewis Hamilton will probably get it but I'd like to see it go to Jason Robinson.

"He's retiring, so he won't get another chance, it's the ultimate award to win and he's had a lifelong career with a lot of dedication and he's brought so much to rugby."