Toseland wrestles with move to Moto GP

Britain's James Toseland is expecting to make a decision on his grand prix future within the next month. The 2004 World Superbike champion, who is currently leading the 2007 rankings, is poised for a move to MotoGP in 2008.

But factory rides are already at a premium with Honda likely to keep Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden and Suzuki Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins.

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Kawasaki seem unwilling to gamble on rookies and Yamaha are expected to keep

Valentino Rossi and Ducati to hold onto the current series leader Casey Stoner.

That could leave Colin Edwards' Yamaha ride and Loris Capirossi's Ducati bike

up for grabs, but the former looks likely to be replaced by reigning 250cc

champion Jorge Lorenzo while the latter is expected to remain with the Italian

marque despite his current tribulations.

Toseland said: "There has been a big push to keep me in World Superbikes.

"Last week at Misano my manager and I had a meeting with the championship

administrators FGSport and that talk we had gave me real food for thought.

"I am by no means 100% certain that I will make the move to MotoGP.

"But we are expecting to make some sort of announcement within the next three

to four weeks.

"I am happy in World Superbikes because every time I get on the plane to go to

a circuit I know I am in with a chance of winning because I am on a competitive

machine with the backing of a good team behind me.

"It is my ultimate ambition to move to MotoGP at some stage but there has been

no decision made yet and I would need to be convinced I was getting a package

which would be competitive on the track.

"But it's very difficult to get a factory ride, and I would have to learn

eight of the circuits on the calendar because they would be new to me in my

first year.

"But all I want is a competitive ride and an opportunity to prove myself and

show my potential."

Toseland's manager Roger Burnett admitted the Yorkshireman's 2008 MotoGP

options now look to be restricted to rides with satellite teams.

Pramac D'Antin Ducati, Yamaha Tech 3 and Honda LCR are among those thought to

be courting Toseland.

But the 27-year-old's most likely destination appears to be the Honda Gresini

stable.

Burnett said: "We are at the stage of talking to various teams and gradually

filtering through the options - but that is all it is at the moment, just

talking.

"James is adamant that if he moves he must go to a competitive team in

MotoGP.

"James has a fantastic opportunity to become the most successful global brand

in World Superbikes.

"I'm sure he could secure a leading ride in World Superbikes for as many years

as he wanted.

"But James' statement to me was that the commercial side is not a priority for

him, he simply wants to be the best motorcycle racer he can be. He is very

strong-minded about that."