China MotoGP: Colin Edwards wants new Yamaha deal

Texan Colin Edwards has again stated his desire to remain in MotoGP after the 2008 season.

Talking on the eve of this weekend’s China MotoGP clash in Shanghai, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider confirmed he no longer wants to quit world championship racing at the end of the current campaign to finish his career in the American superbike series.

Edwards had originally planned to ride for Yamaha in America in 2009, but wants to stay in MotoGP and remain as fellow double World Superbike champion James Toseland’s team-mate.

Edwards will fly from the Far East to California on Monday and hold talks with Yamaha bosses in America to check on his options, but he has again stated his desire to stay in MotoGP.

“There was talk about going back to the AMA. But you know, it’s difficult to come here and with the bike working as good as it is and Michelin putting in such a big effort as they are to just walk away.

“Now I feel really good on the bike and revitalised. I can’t see getting to this point and then saying, ‘see you later, I’m going back to the States.’ I mean I definitely want to stick around for a while.”

Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal has already confirmed that his preference is to keep Colin Edwards for 2009, having already signed a new deal with British rider Toseland.