Colin Edwards crucial to Jorge Lorenzo’s early success

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal reckons the key role Colin Edwards played in Yamaha’s early 2008 success should not be underestimated.

The Japanese factory has made a brilliant start to 2008, with Spanish rookie Jorge Lorenzo leading the world championship after he claimed two podiums and a victory in the first three races.

Yamaha and Lorenzo have also claimed three successive pole positions so far, while Valentino Rossi has scored two rostrum finishes.

Tech 3 duo Edwards and James Toseland have three front row starts between them and Colin Edwards scored his best result for nine months with fourth in Estoril.

And Tech 3 chief Poncharal reckons Edwards had a major influence in Yamaha’s success.

While Lorenzo spent most of the pre-Christmas testing campaign getting accustomed to the Yamaha YZR-M1, Valentino Rossi missed two tests with a wrist injury he suffered in the final round in Valencia.

That left much of the early development work for Yamaha and Michelin to be carried out by the Texan, who is hoping to remain in MotoGP beyond the current season.

And Poncharal told MCN: “Colin played a very important part in the Yamaha development through the winter.

“Valentino was injured and couldn’t take part in most of the November tests and he pointed out a lot of interesting points. 

“The bike is as good as it is now because a lot of good information came from Colin in the early winter. I think Colin did a great job for Yamaha.”