Colin Edwards unlikely to make Aprilia WSB switch

Colin Edwards will reject the chance to turn Aprilia into a major World Superbike force in 2010.

But the 35-year-old could still end up back in WSB, depending on fellow Texan Ben Spies’ future.

Edwards held further meetings with Yamaha at the recent British GP and he’s told Japanese bosses and the French-based Tech 3 team that he wants to stay in MotoGP next season, despite recent lengthy talks with Aprilia boss Gigi Dall’Igna at the Catalunya GP.

But the double World Superbike champion is eyeing a new Tech 3 Yamaha deal and is confident he will be in MotoGP for an eighth campaign in 2010.

Edwards told MCN: “I met with Aprilia in Barcelona but nothing was talked about any details. It was a bit further along than a text message like it was before, but it seems they have some interest. But I explained to them I’d like to stay in MotoGP and to do that there is no team I’d want to ride for other than where I’m at.

“I’ve a good relationship with Yamaha and Tech 3. I’d be happy to sign.” Yamaha US is again pushing for Edwards to keep his place, while Japanese engineers and Bridgestone are also keen for the American to extend his deal because of his renowned development skills.

But Edwards says he’s had no discussion as yet with Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal.

He added: “They are well aware that I’d like to stay. Do they want to keep me? It sounds like they do, so it’s kind of in Yamaha and Herve’s court.” With Spies unlikely to make his decision about 2010 until the outcome of the WSB title race is decided, one scenario could see Edwards agree to stay with Tech 3 on condition that he’s willing to move to ride an R1 if Spies opts to switch to MotoGP.

Yamaha has told Edwards his future is unlikely to be resolved until the Estoril GP in earlier October at the earliest, but he said: “I’m not worried because I’m sure there will be something somewhere.”