Yamaha cagey on Valentino Rossi’s replacement

Ever since Valentino Rossi broke his leg in Mugello last weekend, speculation has been rife about who could replace the Italian legend during his long rehabilitation.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards was a leading candidate given he spent three years as Rossi’s team-mate in the factory Yamaha squad between 2005 and 2007.

The Texan’s experience would also prove crucial in guiding Yamaha’s engineering staff on development of the 2011 YZR-M1 and he would understand implicitly how the factory team operates. 

Team-mate Ben Spies was another option given it would present Yamaha with the perfect opportunity to gauge the Texan’s potential at close quarters. The rookie rule banning Spies from competing for a factory team in 2010 would perhaps have been circumnavigated given the exceptional circumstance Yamaha is in.

The downside to moving Spies would be the huge focus and attention on the 25-year-old given he’d be riding Rossi’s bike and a comparison would inevitably have been drawn.

Should Edwards or Spies move, then British duo James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow were possible options for Herve Poncharal’s French-based Tech 3 squad.

Toseland certainly has experience of the Yamaha YZR-M1 after he spent two years riding for Poncharal’s team before he was axed at the end of last season.

Crutchlow was a candidate given it would have been chance to Yamaha to see his future potential and observe whether he was ready for a MotoGP switch or still needed more time to flourish in World Superbikes. 

Both Toseland and Crutchlow too have personal sponsorship deals with energy drink giant Monster, easing the path to Tech 3 as Monster is in the second year of a title sponsorship deal with Poncharal’s leading satellite outfit.

What is clear is that Toseland will make no fairytale return in the British MotoGP clash at Silverstone or there will be no dream home MotoGP debut for reigning World Supersport champion Crutchlow.

But the issue on Rossi’s stand-in is no clearer after Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis’s comments.

What is definite is that Rossi’s bike will remain just a pitlane attraction and photo opportunity at the Silverstone and Assen races with Yamaha not required to nominate a substitute until the Catalunya clash on July 4.

From that race onwards, Yamaha is contractually obliged to run someone alongside current championship leader Jorge Lorenzo.

Jarvis said: “Firstly let me say that I am very happy that Vale has left the hospital to return to his home area. This is a good sign as it means that his recovery is proceeding well and now he will start the rehabilitation program that will return him to full fitness. Concerning the replacement rider, we have decided to field a replacement rider from the Catalunya Grand Prix on July 4.

“We have chosen the Catalunya Grand Prix to respect our team participation obligations to the MotoGP championship and also to take time to select the most suitable rider and to make sure we’re organised and well prepared for this new situation.

“At this moment I am unable to tell you who the rider will be because we have not yet made a definitive decision. We expect to be able to inform you of our plan next week or at the latest at the Silverstone MotoGP event.”

Whoever does get Rossi’s ride, they will also have his multi-world title winning crew at their disposal, including legendary Australian crew chief Jerry Burgess.

Jarvis added: “The Fiat Yamaha Team members working closely with Valentino will not come to Silverstone or Assen, i.e. his team manager, his crew chief and his mechanics. They will return in Barcelona and they will support the stand-in rider.

“All other team and corporate staff members will attend the coming races as usual. Valentino’s garage will be set up in Silverstone and Assen and both his YZR-M1s will be there for the fans to see.”