Toseland takes wrong turn.

James Toseland's dream of challenging for a MotoGP podium on his British Grand Prix debut got off to a shaky start when his Catalunya test set-up proved problematic, but the Tech 3 Yamaha rider was able to get back on target and finish day one in eighth position.

Toseland's best lap time was one second from Casey Stoner, but he was only half a second off second fastest rider Nicky Hayden.

"The times are very close but unfortunately I found it difficult with the setting we had from the Catalunya test that I thought would work. I came away from that test with a lot of confidence but the settings don't work here," James explained.

"We tried to persevere with it but it was the wrong direction and at the end we made a change and it was night and day different. At least now we are moving the right way. I'm really comfortable doing low 29s but with the Catalunya setting I couldn't enter the corner. I didn't have the contact with the rear and that was losing me a lot of corner speed. Around this track you have to keep it fast and flowing and I couldn't keep my momentum up.

"I'm sure I can get it in the 28s and it looks like that will be the race pace so we have got to find a bit more. But with more time on the new setting I'm confident we can improve because we found it a bit too late to really dial it in. I'm pleased to be in the ballpark, but obviously not pleased with eighth but I don't think that is a reflection on where we could and should have been.

"It is quite a bit different riding at this track on an 800 that what I did last year in World Superbikes. I tried my old lines but they don't work! The speed is just so much faster and that determines the corner speed you carry. Using my old lines I couldn't square the corner off, so even though I know the track I have to learn and adjust."

Toseland will unveil a special one-off paint-scheme for his home race tomorrow, having given fans a glimpse today of what to expect with a St George's flag on the front and rear of his YZR-M1 machine.

"The support for me out there is amazing with all the JT flags and 52 flags. I think everybody wants to see a British guy do well, so it's just down to me to get the job done," Toseland stated.

Team-mate Colin Edwards, who took pole and a podium finish at Donington Park one year ago, set the fourth fastest lap time.

"This afternoon we made a change to the gearing and I felt good right away. This year the rev limiter is different on the bike so we had to make a change to alter that," said the Texan. "We got the gearbox sorted and with some electronics the grip got better and better and Michelin have done a fantastic job. Every tyre I put in it seems to work and this will probably be the only time all year where I could use three tyres in the race on Sunday.

"This afternoon I did some more laps on a tyre that I'd already done 22 laps on and I was only two-tenths slower than my best lap so we are in great shape. Minus the Australian I'm happy because Casey has been impressive and we've got to work something out to get closer to him.

"But the [new] rear shock from Ohlins I really liked. It's not often you get a new suspension piece and throw it in and it works. Usually you have to tinker with it and work out what springs work with it, but it feels great.

"It just keeps the rear planted more on the entry and it is not pitching weight to the front as hard. So braking is better and mid-corner it feels like there is no speed limit. You can brake harder because the rear tyre stays consistently in the same position," he added.

Valentino Rossi was the top Yamaha rider, in third.