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Up close with James Toseland: 28 year-old hottie, rocker, and MotoGP racer

Paddock passes and reserved seating at Laguna Seca aren’t just for the hard-core race fans, they afford the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with your favorite racers on and off the track.  Case in point: James Toseland; 28-year-old MotoGP racer, rocker, and hottie from the UK’s Isle of Man.

Photo by Mark Poesch

Keep an eye out for #52 on the yellow and black Yamaha.  Although the 2009 Laguna Seca MotoGP qualifying and race were fraught with difficulties, James is back on track for a strong performance in Germany on 7/17-7/19.

Photo by Mark Poesch

Photo by Mark Poesch

Photo by Mark Poesch

But, the racetrack isn’t the only place James performs.  He also plays keyboard and sings for the group, Crash.  At Laguna Seca on Saturday, 7/4, the group covered ZZ Top, the Police, and more.  According to several newly minted fans, he’s got the look, and he’s got the musical chops to back it up.

Photo by Mark Poesch

This composite sequence of James carving the turns through Laguna Seca’s Turn 8a and 8b nicely illustrates the challenge of this course, and grace of the MotoGP rider as he pilots his bike through the 120 foot descent during the warm-up on Sunday morning, 7/5.

Photo composite by Mark Poesch

After the Sunday warm-up James was back out in the paddock just before the race to chat with fans, sign autographs, and put an arm around a fan or two for photographs.

Photo by Mark Poesch

Catch the following slideshow for more shots of James on the track, on stage, and signing autographs – wrapping up with a big smile.

For more smiles, and more Laguna Seca coverage, check out:
- Surprising qualifying runs yield a surprising finish to the 2009 MotoGP race at Laguna Seca
- Why travel to Laguna Seca for MotoGP -- a photo tour
- Girls of Laguna Seca
- Rossi in the Laguna Seca Corkscrew

Also, check out other Motorcycle Examiners:

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Slideshow: MotoGP #52 James Toseland

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DC Motorcycle Travel Examiner

Mark has lived in the DC area since 1979 and has been riding since 2006. Starting with the Suzuki SV650-S he moved rapidly to the GSX-R1000,...

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