The reigning double World Superbike champion's previous three MotoGP tests have been at Sepang, Jerez and then Sepang again - but, unlike those circuits, which are MotoGP only, Phillip Island is also on the WSBK schedule and was the scene of a thrilling race two Toseland victory over home hero Troy Bayliss in early 2007.

Toseland had been looking forward to the Australian trip for just such reasons, but even he could barely have expected to be so competitive. The #52 took just four laps to get down to a reasonable race pace, and was ranked fifth and sixth out of the 14 riders present during the first two days.

Significantly, with his racing line already established, James could concentrate fully on moulding his M1 to suit his style - and excelled during a final day qualifying attack, when he lapped just 0.020secs behind 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden and 0.977secs from 2007 world champion Casey Stoner's awesome soft tyre best.

"I'm really happy. I was always looking forward to coming here with my track knowledge and its nice to see the difference where I stand in the order with that experience," smiled James. "To be at the sharp end of the times and see my name up there has put a bigger smile on my face. Most importantly it earns respect from everyone concerned with MotoGP.

"Knowing the track, I can be on the same line each lap and that's helped me relay my feedback on the bike a lot more precisely to my team. On other tracks I've been finding my way round as well as trying to make a lap time," he added.

Toseland also gained more crucial experience by completing his first full race simulation. The #52 lapped consistently in the 1min 31secs bracket during his 27-lap run, as he assessed new front and rear suspension settings and a revised electronics set-up in full race conditions.

His best lap on race tyres today was a 1min 31.012secs, just 0.2secs slower than fellow M1 rider Valentino Rossi's fastest lap during last October's race.

"I was happy with my pace in the race simulation but those extra five or six laps over what I've been used to in Superbike were a bit strange," he admitted. "My body just isn't used to that distance but I felt good and wasn't too tired at the end. It is all good experience and it's all coming together nicely.

"I will sleep well tonight on the plane after this performance. Even one of my mechanics said that it is so good to see an English rider at that end of the timesheets rather than at the other end. And the best thing is I can only get faster and stronger.

"I'm still waiting for some new parts from Yamaha, so there is still plenty of room for improvement, also from Michelin. Everybody is working hard and I'm riding on a wave at the moment," concluded Toseland.

Team-mate Colin Edwards was a fraction slower than Toseland, in fifth, leaving JiR Team Scot rookie Andrea Dovizioso sandwiched between the two Yamaha Tech 3 riders.