Yamaha test for Ellison

James Ellison will test a factory Yamaha YZR-M1 in Sepang at the multi-team MotoGP test beginning on November 28.

The British rider’s future took a dramatic twist this week when he began negotiations about riding a full factory YZR-M1 in 2006 for the French-based Tech 3 squad on Dunlop tyres.

MCN understands a deal is close to being clinched, and Ellison will then line-up on next year’s MotoGP grid on an identical YZR-M1 four-cylinder machine to seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi.

Ellison, who was due to fly out on holiday to South Africa next weekend, has cancelled his plans to embark on his dream opportunity with Yamaha.

Ellison was expected to announce a deal to join the D’Antin Ducati team today (Friday), but that was before the Tech 3 and Dunlop deal appeared on the table at the 11th hour.

Ellison remained tight-lipped about his deal, but Tech 3 bosses and Dunlop confirmed to MCN this afternoon that he will ride in Sepang at the three-day test.

For full details on this story see the Nov 23 issue of MCN.

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