"Engine wise, we're not running the latest of the latest, but I think it's stronger than what we had at the last test," said Edwards. "We could use a little more top speed, but that'll come whenever they have it available."
The #5 added that it's rumoured he'll get the pneumatic-valve engine "a couple of races into the season."
Whatever the valve system, Edwards gives the impression that the biggest card up his sleeve will be Michelin tyres - despite last year's sudden decline, which prompted former team-mate
Valentino Rossi to make a much-publicised switch to
Bridgestone. A decision the Italian superstar, almost 0.7secs slower than Edwards on race tyres at Sepang, may yet regret...
"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."
