Yamaha levels field

Yamaha bosses have given Colin Edwards cast iron assurances that his factory Yamaha 800cc machine will start the new season next month getting exactly the same treatment as Valentino Rossi.

Edwards has been told that his bike will be in exactly the same specification as Rossi’s when the new 800cc era gets underway in Qatar on March 10.

Edwards will get equal treatment having been sidetracked somewhat last season as Yamaha devoted the majority of its focus inevitably on number one rider Rossi when problems with last year’s YZR-M1 990cc machine appeared.

In his third year with Yamaha, Edwards said: “I just want what Valentino gets at the first race. I would like to start in a fair playground.

“Last year we had some problems and I know they focused really hard on Valentino and whatever happened, happened but this year I’m feeling good and confident. I’ll have the same stuff. They’ve told me flat out I’ll have the same stuff as Valentino.”