Colin Edwards deserved 2010 deal, says Yamaha boss

Colin Edwards thoroughly deserved a new Tech 3 Yamaha contract because of his impressive performances in 2009, says factory boss Lin Jarvis.

The Texan will stay with the Tech 3 squad in 2010 having agreed a new deal with team boss Herve Poncharal during the Misano MotoGP race earlier this month.

The double World Superbike champion will be joined by fellow American Ben Spies next season, with his decision to move to MotoGP next year leaving British rider James Toseland out of a ride.

Up until the last race in Misano when he was the innocent victim of a first corner pile-up, Edwards had scored points in every race in 2009 and was lying in fifth place in the overall standings.

Easily the best performing non-factory rider, Edwards’ best finish was a brilliant second place in damp conditions in the British GP at Donington Park in late June.

And Jarvis said it was those impressive results that had saved Edwards from losing his YZR-M1 ride.

Speaking exclusively to MCN, Jarvis said: “Yamaha never took Colin out of the equation for next year. When you look at the results, Colin has been fifth in the championship for a long time and we think that he is still a very good candidate to run at the front next year and he brings with him a lot of experience that can be useful to the team. Personally I think he has done Tech 3 proud this year. Colin has won his spot by full credit with his personal performances.”

See tomorrow’s MCN (September 23) for more from Jarvis on James Toseland’s future.