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 today. 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 racer James became World Superbike Champion at just 23 and has been collecting titles since the age of 15. In 1998, at the tender age of 17, he was given his big break and chosen by Castrol Honda to ride the CBR600 in the World Supersport series. Since then, James has emerged as a world-class rider and in his 2004 season with Ducati, James made the history books as the youngest-ever World Superbike Champion. Now 29, James continues to excel, moving from success in World Superbike racing to the elite MotoGP level, competing at circuits around the world.