Toseland to entertain on and off track.

As one of the most confident riders on the grid, James Toseland is certainly used to taking things in his stride, something he will calling upon when he competes in front his legion of fans for the first time during the upcoming British Grand Prix.

However, even before the race his nerves are likely to be tested earlier in the weekend when he gets behind a piano to perform for the Riders for Health Charity event at Donington Park.

Toseland, Playing the Piano, Catalunya MotoGP 2008
Toseland, Playing the Piano, Catalunya MotoGP 2008
© Gold and Goose

As one of the most confident riders on the grid, James Toseland is certainly used to taking things in his stride, something he will calling upon when he competes in front his legion of fans for the first time during the upcoming British Grand Prix.

However, even before the race his nerves are likely to be tested earlier in the weekend when he gets behind a piano to perform for the Riders for Health Charity event at Donington Park.

A classically trained pianist, Toseland divides his time between competing in MotoGP and performing with his band Crash (no relation to us sadly...), but will go a long way to combining the two when he performs ahead of the weekend's action.

Although used to high pressure situations when tickling the ivory keys, as shown by his live performance at the BBC Sport's Personality of the Year awards last year, Toseland admits he was more than a little nervous recently when showing off his musical skills at last weekend's Catalan Grand Prix.

"I played the piano for the guests in the Barcelona paddock on the night before the Grand Prix of Catalunya last week and I was more nervous than before the start of MotoGP qualifying earlier in the afternoon," he said.

"I was classically trained to play the piano and I still read music which is a great advantage. I still practice as much as I can and really enjoy just playing."

"It's going be a very special weekend for all of us and I can't wait," added Toseland. "The last five grands prix have been at circuits I've never raced on before but now I arrive home at Donington which I know so well. I can start setting up the bike from the very first minute of practice and not spend so much time learning the track. A podium finish in front of those fans is my objective."

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