Yorkshireman James Toseland fought a ferocious battle to score his fourth sixth position of the season in the Cinzano Grand Prix of Catalunya in Barcelona this afternoon. It was a tough race on his debut at the 2.937 miles Circuit De Catalunya. An early tangle with Valentino Rossi pushed the Tech 3 Yamaha rider wide but he fought back and pipped Australian Chris Vermeulen to sixth place on the line. “I had a difficult few opening laps while I settled into a rhythm with the new settings on the bike,” said Toseland, who moved into seventh place in the Championship before his only one appearance in front of the British fans at the bwin.com British Grand Prix at Donington Park in two weeks time. “Valentino passed me and then I got pushed back a bit further before I managed to pull things back. I just got my head down and focussed on gaining some places. It’s hard work at these tracks that I don’t know so I’m really pleased to have qualified and finished the race in sixth position. My aim coming into the race was to finish sixth and improve my championship position and I’ve done both. I’m looking forward to getting to Donington now to see what I can do at a track that I’m familiar with.”