PICS: Toseland's Donington crash.

MotoGP rookie James Toseland came into his first British Grand Prix hoping that track familiarity would help challenge for a debut podium in front of his home fans.

However, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider suffered two falls at the end of Saturday's wet qualifying session - leaving him just 16th on the grid - and was then thrown from his YZR-M1 as he tried to regain places at the first turn of the race.

"Today has been the most disappointing day of my life as I let everybody down," said a devastated Toseland. "This weekend was not about personal achievement because letting myself down comes second to letting the fans down.

"There is nobody or nothing to blame for this incident except over exuberance into turn one. The British weather has spoilt the weekend and my chances of finding the best set up.

"When you start from 16th on the grid there are two options; ride at the back of the field or go for it. It is my nature to always try my best so I went for it," he explained.

Despite a nasty bang to his right hand and the loss of his right footpeg, the reigning double World Superbike champion, wearing special leathers for the occasion, got back on his bike and eventually reached the chequered flag one lap down in 17th position.

"I could have just cruised back to the pits but a lot of people had come to see me ride," Toseland stated. "I was hurting because I hit my head pretty hard and I smacked my right hand down on the tarmac. And the right footpeg had snapped off, but I soldiered on because I wanted to get to that chequered flag more than anything.

"I was going to finish for all those fans, who have been unbelievable supporting me since I arrived here. I will bounce back from this but it has got to be one of the biggest disappointments of my career. It is not in my nature to give up and I didn't today, and I know my turn will come.

"I am obviously disappointed, but I have to congratulate Scott Redding. He did an amazing job and it was great for the British fans to see him do that," Toseland concluded.

"James made a mistake but I have nothing but huge admiration for what he did afterwards," added team manager Herve Poncharal. "It took a lot of courage for him to carry on in the circumstances and it showed that he really wanted to repay the British fans for their support. The good news is we have a race next week and he can show what a strong character he is by bouncing back."

CLICK HERE to see further pictures of the incident...