Tech 3 confirm Vermeulen interest

Yamaha’s satellite MotoGP team has confirmed its interest in talking to Aussie Chris Vermeulen about a 2008 ride.

Having recently penned a deal to lease two YZR-M1 800 machines from Yamaha in 2008, Tech 3 has been linked with a huge number of riders including current World Superbike championship leader James Toseland.

An all-American dream team featuring John Hopkins and Colin Edwards on Bridgestone-shod M1 bikes as was exclusively revealed in today’s MCN, is also an option for Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal.

Vermeulen is also on a ’08 target list for the French-based squad with his Suzuki contract running out at the end of the current season.

“Chris is doing well. He is a clever guy. He’s not been like Dani (Pedrosa) or Casey (Stoner) and come in straight away and bang.

“He is going step-by-step and he is a very smart guy to work with. Chris is a guy I think who has good potential. He is named on the list.
“Almost everybody in the paddock has a list with the same names. Now it is up to them to decide who they speak to.”