Colin Edwards assesses 2009 Yamaha engine parts

Colin Edwards got his first chance to assess some early 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 engine parts at the Brno test yesterday.

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The Texan initially ran through a range of new Michelin rubber without finding any significant progress after a disastrous Czech Republic left him languishing down in 14th place.

“I tried a bunch of new stuff on the front and rear and we didn’t really find anything if I’m being honest. Michelin have got a lot of work to do that’s for sure. Anybody can work that out, “said the double World Superbike champion, who briefly followed former factory Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi.

“It was ridiculous how much grip he had. I could only run with him for a couple of corners but anybody watching would have seen how big the difference was. They’ve got so much edge grip that it just looks so easy for them, “added Edwards, who with nothing else on his schedule to test, left the circuit on Monday night to fly home to American a day early.

He did reveal he tried some experimental 2009 engine parts but he said: “I’d prefer not to say exactly what we tried but it was something to do with the engine. There were a few positives and one negative but I think it is the right direction. I think it was something new that Valentino hasn’t even tried and they just wanted some information on.

“It is not something we will have on the bike next week or even in the last six races, but it is something probably we won’t see now until winter testing.