"I think everybody doubted Michelin - and I did too - but we should have known better," said Edwards. "Michelin are Michelin. They're going to fight and they're going to do whatever they have to do. They've showed up here with so much stuff and they've done a fantastic job. The improvement over last year is big."

Lorenzo's graduation to Edwards' factory seat, an open secret for much of last season, had put the 33-year-old's MotoGP future in jeopardy - especially as Colin had little interest in leaving Yamaha at this stage in his career.

But with Tech 3 returning to Michelin tyres and enjoying increased factory support for 2008, the opportunity to remain on a competitive Yamaha M1 was born. An exciting line-up is completed by another double World Superbike champion, James Toseland, making his debut in grand prix racing.

Colin has been widely praised for his sincere efforts to help Toseland adapt to prototype machinery and the Englishman was recently quoted by the Press Association as saying: "This is going to be [Colin's] last year in MotoGP and he wants to pass on everything he knows, so I am going to be like a sponge this year."

If 2008 does mark the last season of Edwards' MotoGP career - during which he has ridden a factory Aprilia (2003), satellite Honda (2004), factory Yamaha (2005-2007) and now satellite Yamaha - then it might also turn out to be his best.

"I'm feeling really good about this year. My motivation level is quite a bit higher than normal," Colin revealed. "I always feel like I'm motivated, but this year, with the new team - and probably a little bit less pressure, not being in the factory team - it's fun. I'm just having fun. And when it's fun, it's motivating."

Edwards has taken two pole positions, eight podiums and a best championship position of fourth (2005) so far in MotoGP - but the nearest he has come to victory remains his dramatic last-turn showdown with Nicky Hayden at Assen 2006.

Tech 3's Texas Tornado, 31 times a WSBK race winner, will next be out on track at Phillip Island in Australia, from January 30 to February 1.