Tech 3 hoping for Edwards

Edwards left the factory Yamaha team to make way for Jorge Lorenzo at the end of 2007, and was relocated inside Poncharal's satellite squad for what was labelled as one final year in grand prix racing.

But the former double World Superbike champion was rejuvenated by the move out of Valentino Rossi's shadow, while the family-like atmosphere at the Tech 3 team seemed to suit his personality perfectly.

Edwards finished 2008, his sixth year in grand prix racing, with one pole, two podiums and as the second-best satellite rider, with seventh in the overall standings.

"I am more than happy to have one more year with Colin and definitely he is now part of the family at Tech 3. Hopefully forever," said Poncharal, speaking exclusively to Crash.net.

The Frenchman went on to explain that, just as Yamaha wants to retain Rossi as long as possible - then continue its association with the Italian after he has finished racing - Tech 3 wants a similar partnership with Edwards.

"Yamaha has said they would like to keep Valentino until the end of his career and then keep him as an ambassador. Okay, Tech 3 is a very tiny company compared with Yamaha, but we would like Colin to remain forever part of the Tech 3 family in the same way," he said.

In terms of what that might mean, Poncharal hinted that he would like Edwards to become a test and development rider for Tech 3.

That would be a valuable service, since Tech 3 will enter the new Moto2 class as both a team and constructor from 2010, while future MotoGP technical rules are expected to hand a similar amount of engineering freedom to independent teams in the premier-class.

Rather than satellite teams leasing a complete motorcycle from a factory as at present, it is believed that the new MotoGP regulations will try to promote the popular Moto2 format of independent chassis designs powered by an affordable factory-built engine. Moto2 will have a control engine, but MotoGP will continue to have open engine competition.

"When you think about the future, there will be some development opportunities for us in the MotoGP class as well as Moto2," confirmed Poncharal. "So why not think about Colin helping us? It is a bit too early to talk about that, but why not? He still has a lot of enthusiasm and we have a lot of respect for him.

"Anything could be possible. And Colin has got a son now, so... maybe I'll be retired by the time the next generation of Edwards is ready to ride for Tech 3, but why not? You never know!"

Poncharal underlined just why he is so keen to keep Edwards as part of his team.

"You can rely on Colin's comments. Always," he said. "You just have to ask Yamaha, Ohlins, Brembo and especially Bridgestone how good Colin is as a test rider and at being able to explain to all the engineers, in every department, what he is feeling.

"For me he is the top guy for that. Maybe the top guy."