Champion Toseland becomes doctor on wheels
November 25, 2009 by Julian Thomas
Filed under Latest News, WSBK
James Toseland is no stranger to the podium, but it was cheering graduates rather than cheering motorcycle fans who greeted him as he collected an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University.
But true to form, friends of the motorcycle ace had made sure there was a bottle of champagne waiting for him in the robing room before he made the short circuit to the stage at Sheffield City Hall.
James, who learnt to ride on the coal spoil pits close to his Kiverton Park home, said: “To be here and recognised by the city and Sheffield Hallam is possibly the most humbling thing I’ve ever received.
“It’s a great honour and the icing on the cake for me after winning two championships and hopefully another next year.”
Doncaster-born Toseland became the youngest-ever World Superbike Champion in 2004 at just 23 and will return next year for the factory Yamaha team after two years in MotoGP.
