The Briton, like Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards, has raced the 'standard' spring-valve unit during the two opening rounds, and visibly suffered against the factory riders along the straights.

The comparative lack of top speed has also forced the reigning double World Superbike champion to launch some 'daring' overtaking moves through the corners.

Toseland - sixth in his opening two grands prix - struggled with a severe chest infection last time out at Jerez, but expects to be in better physical shape at Estoril and should have nothing to fear from the long home straight.

"Let's hope the weather is a bit warmer than England this weekend," began James, who attended the snowed-off BSB round at Brands Hatch. "I'm feeling considerably better than I did in Jerez but I'm still on antibiotics and still have a cough.

"I'm really looking forward to my first visit to Estoril and I will definitely have the new 2008 Yamaha engine. It should be a great feeling racing down the straight alongside everybody else instead of playing catch-up," he declared.

Factory Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have been using the pneumatic-valve engine since the start of the season.

Toseland was 7km/h slower than the fastest Fiat machine (Rossi) during qualifying at Qatar and 9km/h slower during qualifying at Jerez (Lorenzo). Ducati remains several km/h faster than the pneumatic M1s.

First free practice at Estoril takes place on Friday morning.