British MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo happy to be joined by Colin Edwards

Jorge Lorenzo says he would relish the chance to partner veteran American Colin Edwards in Yamaha’s official factory MotoGP squad.

The Texan is leading candidate to take Valentino Rossi’s vacant YZR-M1 machine while the Italian recuperates from the broken right leg he suffered in Mugello recently. 

Lorenzo said: ““I don’t know if this is sure but if Colin moves then I’d be very happy with that. He is a very funny person and a great guy and you could have a lot of fun with him.”

Edwards seemed certain to move to partner Spaniard Lorenzo in the Fiat-backed factory squad that he rode for between 2005 and 2007.

But the issue has become somewhat clouded given the difficulty for Herve Poncharal to find a replacement for Edwards in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad.

Edwards was to move to the factory team for at least three races as cover for Rossi, who has targeted a Brno return on August 15 after his horror home race high-side.

But reigning World Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow knocked back the chance to partner Ben Spies at the forthcoming Catalunya, Sachsenring and Laguna Seca races, as was exclusively revealed by MCN earlier this week.