Tech 3 confirm Edwards for 2011

The American has signed a one-year extension with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team and will partner incoming with rookie Cal Crutchlow next season.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 have confirmed that Colin Edwards has signed a one-year contact extension to remain with the MotoGP team for the 2011 season, thus combining his vast experience with the potential of the rookie Cal Crutchlow.

Fresh from his 100th race with the Yamaha at the Gran Premio A-Style de Aragón on Sunday the announcement was made that 36 year-old Edwards would remain with Tech 3 next year, continuing a partnership with the French outfit that started in the 2008.

“I’ve finally come to an agreement with the Hervé and Yamaha. I’m happy to stay and it’s been a long relationship with Yamaha, I think 1986 was my first contract with them back in my motocross days! I want to say a big thanks to the Hervé because along with Yamaha he made it happen,” said Edwards.

“I don’t know if next year will be my last one, I’m just looking forward to pushing as we normally do and riding hard. If Yamaha need something I’m always there, the other three Yamaha guys are going to be young. I’m just looking to fight and have fun.”

Commenting on his link-up with the 24 year-old British rider Crutchlow, who will arrive from WSBK, Edwards added: “I think it will be interesting. I don’t know Cal well but he’s young, he’s hungry and he’s ready so I’ll be here to help out if I can. I’m still looking for that first win so I’m still hungry too!”

Poncharal was just as pleased to be able to confirm the 2011 line-up for his team and said: “I’m happy that even though we have a few races to go for this season we have decided that we will have Cal Crutchlow and Colin Edwards in 2011. Colin, Tech 3, Yamaha and myself all agreed that we will have another year together. Colin has been really good to Yamaha and to Tech 3 and has given us lots of great moments with some really good results.”

“This is a good line-up and for sure Cal will be looking forward to hearing Colin’s advice and hopefully he can help him like he helped James Toseland and, this year, Ben Spies. This year the atmosphere between Colin and Ben has been excellent.”

Commenting on the aim for 2011 Poncharal concluded: “I think Colin wants to do one more season in MotoGP and he’s shown that even though he’s not in a position to win races he’s fast enough to be a strong MotoGP rider and brings a lot of information to the team and the factory. He’s helping us to strengthen and I think he’ll be like an advisor for Cal.”

Spies shoots hoops and pre-empts announcement on future

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider took part in the Indianapolis Red Bull Grand Prix basketball themed pre-event, and also said an official announcement on his ride with the factory team for the next season would be made over the weekend.

Ben Spies will be one of the three American premier class riders going for home glory this weekend at Indianapolis, and before the serious on-track business began the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider took part in the official pre-event at the Indiana Pacers’ home basketball court on Thursday.

The rookie met former Pacers centre Rik Smits, an avid motorcycle fan, who gave Spies some tips on how to shoot the perfect hoop. “I’ve had a lot of fun and it’s been great being able to meet the Rik Smits, who was a great player back in the day. I wish I could play a little bit more with him but I don’t want to hurt my ankle any more!” said Spies. “It’s one of the great perks we get to do before the race and business starts tomorrow.”

Having placed sixth at the Laguna Seca five weeks ago in the first of two U.S. rounds on the calendar Spies is targeting a result that would reward the support given by a passionate home crowd.

“This weekend I have American fans behind me so it’s as special this year as Laguna was,” said Spies. “For an American race I want to have my best results of the year in front of home fans. We’ll try as hard as we did at Brno and we just hope everything comes together so the home fans have something to cheer about. We’ll try to do the best we can.”

With Yamaha Motor Racing MD Lin Jarvis having confirmed at the Brno test last week that negotiations were underway for the Spies’ graduation to the factory team in 2011, the rider said that an official announcement would be made this weekend.

“It’s one of those worst kept secret things, but it will be coming out in the next couple of days,” he explained. “There will be an announcement and I look forward to next year for sure, it’s going to be good!”