Colin Edwards: 'Electronics have extended my career’

Colin Edwards reckons the huge advances in electronic rider aids have helped extend his career after the popular American signed a new MotoGP deal for 2010.

The double World Superbike champion has earned a new deal with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad next season after a string of consistent top six finishes in 2009.

And the 35-year-old, who will be partnered by compatriot Ben Spies, reckons rider aids have prevented big crashes and injuries to help him ride beyond the age he planned to retire.

Vicious high-sides that were commonplace in the two-stroke 500cc have become relatively infrequent since the introduction of 990cc four-stroke machines in 2002.

And since the capacity reduction to 800cc at the start of the 2007 world championship, electronic development in areas like traction control has improved at a rapid rate.

Edwards told MCN: “My plan was to probably step aside around when I was 32 to 34 but the bikes now with all the electronics have extended careers. You’re not snapping yourself in half like you used to be ten years ago.”