Valencia MotoGP: Colin Edwards ends 2008 in positive fashion

Texan Colin Edwards scored his first top six finish since the Dutch GP in Assen back in June to make it a fantastic last race of 2008 for the Tech 3 Yamaha squad in Valencia today.

Edwards’ seventh top six ensured the Tech 3 squad snatched fourth place in the coveted Team World Championship by a solitary point ahead of Suzuki’s factory squad.

The double World Superbike champion, who had endured a torrid second half to the campaign, said: “It has been a while since I finished in the top six and for this result to help the team finish fourth in the Team World Championship makes it extra rewarding.

“I’m pleased for Herve Poncharal and the team because they deserve it. We had a couple of races where we gave a lot of points away but for an independent team we have done a fantastic job together and it was a year to remember.

“I got a great start and rode around the outside of Nicky at the first corner to slot in behind Casey and Dani. I actually felt pretty comfortable at that point. Nicky passed me though down the front straight and I started to spin the rear tyre a bit just as the other guys started to get into the groove.

“The next thing I know is everybody was disappearing up the road and there was nothing I could do. With so little dry track time we gambled with the setting and I ran a softer tyre and at the end I was having a few problems.

“My bike felt great but I just didn’t have a lot of grip and this isn’t the best track for Yamaha. We don’t have the initial raw grunt that you need on a tight and twisty track like this with a lot of low speed acceleration points.

“I’d like to thank all my guys for their hard work throughout the season and to Yamaha for their continued to support. Finally I’d like to say a big thanks to Michelin.

“I had the greatest moments of my career with them and I’ve enjoyed our time together. I’m looking forward to a bit of a break now before coming back in Jerez next month to begin working as hard as ever to be stronger in 2009.