Edwards Re-Signs With Tech3 Yamaha

I am thrilled to have reached a new agreement with Colin for the 2011 MotoGP world championship, says Herve Poncharal, Tech3 team manager. His appetite and passion for racing is stronger than ever and he has been an incredible asset for the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team. He is a great character but he has consistently proven that he remains one of the fastest riders in the world and I am glad that the Tech3 story with Colin will go on for one more year.

The veteran racer has been with Tech3 since 2008, helping establish the French team as the top satellite squad in the MotoGP class. The contract extension was announced during the MotoGP round at Spains Motorland Aragon circuit as Edwards marked his 100th career race for Yamaha which includes a couple of seasons with the factory team.

I am delighted to have signed a new one-year contract with the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team, says Edwards. I want to say a big thanks to Yamaha and to Tech3 for their unwavering support. I am honored to continue my long and successful relationship with Yamaha, Herve Poncharal and all at Tech3. I love the team and feel like part of a big family and Im thrilled that our adventure together is continuing next year.

Edwards has struggled this season, currently sitting in 11th place in the championship, a disappointing turnaround for a rider that finished fifth in the championship in 2009. A two-time World Superbike Champion, Edwards had been linked to a return to the series next season with Ducati but that came to a halt when the Italian manufacturer announced it would withdraw its factory team.

Returning to Tech3 then became the most obvious option because Edwards is familiar with the team and the Yamaha M1, but also because Tech3 wanted a veteran to partner with Cal Crutchlow who will enter MotoGP next season after racing in WSBK.

I'm excited at the challenge of competing in the MotoGP world championship again and still being competitive in probably the strongest field in history is an achievement I'm proud of, says Edwards. I am also looking forward to working with and helping out Cal Crutchlow next season. Id like to think I helped James Toseland and Ben Spies adapt when they arrived in MotoGP, and I will be doing my utmost to do the same for Cal if he needs any advice. I think all of us can look forward to an exciting 2011 together.

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