James Toseland could only finish 11th in the latest MotoGP round in Japan at the weekend, after starting out 10th on the grid.

Speaking afterwards the Ramsey resident said: “It was a difficult race in high humidity. It was disappointing to lose out (on a top ten finish) at the very end after fighting so hard.”

The race was won by Valentino Rossi, giving him an unassailable lead over Casey Stoner in the championship standings with three rounds still to go.

It's the 29-year-old Italian legend's sixth world premier-class title.

A world champion at both 125cc and 250cc, Rossi claimed the 500cc crown in 2001 and won the MotoGP title every year from 2002 to 2005 but lost out to American Nicky Hayden in 2006 and Stoner in 2007.

Meanwhile Neil Hodgson was fifth in the final round of the AMA Superbikes at Laguna Seca Raceway in California yesterday.

It means the American Honda rider finishes sixth in the championship standings.

The race was won by Mat Mladin, who came home some 12 seconds ahead of team mate Ben Spies.

The second place gave Spies his third consecutive AMA title and he's now being to head overseas to seek a new challenge


Pictures: James Toseland (l) Neil Hodgson (r)