By Julian Shea

Winning at Brands Hatch was a dream come true for Toseland

World Superbikes championship leader James Toseland believes beating ex-MotoGP riders this year has proved he can be a success in the elite class.

The Briton turned down previous moves to MotoGP but having prevailed against Troy Bayliss and Max Biaggi, feels he will be a contender with Tech 3 Yamaha.

"I've had offers but this one is the one that I can hopefully be competitive with," he told BBC Sport.

"Beating these guys has really made the difference and got me the Yamaha ride."

Toseland's double success at Brands Hatch on Sunday stretched his Superbikes championship lead to 66 points, with three rounds of the championship left to go and 150 points up for grabs.

My experience from this year, comparing myself to ex-MotoGP riders like Bayliss and Biaggi at this level, gives me confidence James Toseland

The 2004 world champion had not previously won at Brands in seven years of competing in Superbikes, so two wins on his farewell appearance at the track provoked scenes of wild celebration.

"The first race was more difficult as I was in the lead the whole time, so I had no-one to compare with. The last five laps it was difficult to concentrate, as I was thinking 'I'm going to win my first race here'," he said.

"The second race was more comfortable as Noriyuki Haga came past me and I could see where he had problems - I knew I was stronger, so once I got past him I knew I could hopefully open up a gap."

Defending champion Troy Bayliss's poor weekend showing has all but ruled the former MotoGP rider out of the title race, so now Toseland only has two serious title challengers - Haga and another former MotoGP rider Max Biaggi.

"I was expecting Bayliss to be stronger than he was, and I think Haga had four out of the last six wins at Brands, so for me to have two wins was unbelievable," he said.

"Now I think it's down to Haga or Biaggi."

The double success rounded off a momentous week for Toseland, who finally ended speculation over his future by announcing his switch to MotoGP.

Toseland celebrates his double win at Brands Hatch

In the past, several Superbikes riders, particularly British ones, have tried and failed to switch to the higher class, while riders who have come up through MotoGP's junior ranks have fared better.

But having finally taken the plunge, Toseland says he does not think his lack of a MotoGP background will count against him.

"There's been months and months of going over deals, I had lots of options," he said.

"I want the best package next year to be competitive, and it's hard to get that without any MotoGP experience.

"But I believe my experience from this year, comparing myself to ex-MotoGP riders like Bayliss and Biaggi at this level, gives me confidence, so I hope I can go there and be competitive."

One big difference between Toseland and previous British riders who came a cropper in MotoGP, like Neil Hodgson and Shane Byrne, is age.

At 26, Toseland says he has youth on his side, and rather than follow in their footsteps, he would like to emulate one of his Ten Kate Superbike predecesors, Chris Vermuelen, who is fourth in this year's MotoGP championships.

Some Toseland fans ended up with a surprise souvenir

"Because of their age, when the other British riders did get an opportunity they had to take it," he said.

"They knew it might not be the most competitive package, but they didn't realise just how difficult it would be, and they've come back to Superbikes."

Despite his obvious enthusiasm to take up the MotoGP challenge, Toseland is certainly not easing off in the race for this season's Superbike crown.

The scenes of celebration involving 120,000 fans which greeted his Brands Hatch win could be a taste of things to come if he manages to end the British victory drought in top-class racing, a barren streak dating back to the days of Barry Sheene.

"The pressure doesn't bother me, I actually relish it and perform better - it's the next challenge," he said.

If he does manage that elusive win at the elite level, maybe his fans will be treated to the full celebratory striptease he promised before his Brands Hatch win - only to later change his mind.

"It was very hot on Sunday, so chucking my socks and pants into the crowd, they wouldn't have appreciated it!" he said.

"I knew the leathers and boots were going to go into crowd, though - I must have been quietly confident as I asked my manager to take some spares down to the garage so I had something to wear on the podium.

"At Silverstone, I went up onto the podium in just my pants and socks and I got into trouble with my sponsors."