James Toseland claims fifth on the grid for the US Grand prix, team-mate Colin Edwards struggles over bumps.

MotoGP rookie James Toseland put his recent troubles behind him by claiming a superb fifth on the grid for Sunday's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

The performance marked the double World Superbike champion's best grid position since second on his Qatar debut and, unlike many of the Michelin-shod riders, Toseland is also confident that he can run a competitive race pace having evaluated a softer compound rear tyre on Saturday afternoon.

"I had to pin it and to do a '21 around here is not easy but I got the job done," declared JT. "I'm just so pleased for my team because we have been working really well and so hard that I feel we have deserved it after our bad luck over the last two rounds.

"I have got that softer race tyre which I saved for today and kept one back for the race. I can do mid to low 23s on that and that could be a possible top six finish. With some of the issues we have had this weekend I'd be satisfied with that," added James, who was only 15th in free practice.

"I just need a decent start to try and get away with the leaders. I'm getting the hang of the starts and I'm not as nervous as before because it is quite a technique to get these bikes off the line," he revealed. "When you're flat-out at 14,000 revs and you want to dump that clutch as fast as you can, you really need to know what you're doing."

Team-mate Colin Edwards came into his home event as a podium favourite, but has faced both physical and technical problems. Nevertheless, the Texan gained five places with his last Michelin qualifying tyre run and will start from seventh.

"It wasn't great to be honest given how well I've qualified all year, but considering I thought I was going to be on the plane home last night, I can't complain too much," said Colin. "My neck was really bad yesterday but today it was unbelievable. I had some injections and also a couple of sessions of massage at the Clinica Mobile and I feel great.

"But it has been a tough weekend so far and I'm expecting a tough race tomorrow. I don't remember the track being this bumpy but on the qualifiers when you need to go so much faster, I could barely see where I was going. My head was bouncing around all over the place on the bumps.

"We have been working hard to change the bike to try and find some more grip but everything just feels really rigid. I'm just hanging on in some places and in the last two sections I'm terrible. It is not through a lack of trying because my guys have been working incredibly hard as usual.

"But we've taken weight off the front, put more weight on the front and put weight on

the rear, but nothing has really improved the situation. Hopefully I can get a good start to try get away with the leading bunch, because I really want to get a good result for my home fans. I will be giving it everything I've got that's for sure."