Colin Edwards starts talks with Kawasaki

Kawasaki bosses will have a list of potential 2009 targets drawn up by the Catalunya MotoGP in Spain next month after it emerged Colin Edwards held talks with the Japanese factory in Le Mans.

With John Hopkins under contract for next season, Kawasaki seem certain to be chasing at least one rider for 2009 given Anthony West’s struggles, with plans to run a third factory ZX-RR still up in the air.

Texan Edwards, currently with the Tech 3 Yamaha team as James Toseland’s team-mate, held preliminary discussions with Kawasaki boss Michael Bartholemy in France last weekend.

Edwards, who scored his first podium of 2008 with third place in Le Mans, told MCN: “I’m not hiding anything and I spoke to Kawasaki for the first time in Le Mans but a lot has got to happen. I am looking at everything and seeing what it is out there. I’m fishing and they are fishing just seeing what is going on.”

Kawasaki manager Bartholemy said: “I have a list of people I am interested in. Sure we have a list but I am not going from one meeting to another meeting. I can wait a bit. 

“I want to give a chance to Anthony and I would like to start in Catalunya. I want a clear idea then of who can be the candidates and then really go into negotiations from Catalunya.”