"I was licking my lips in the beginning because I thought some other guys had packages that would have worked better when it was hotter but it didn't happen. I have to say thanks to my guys for their effort this weekend. We got a pole position but obviously I expected more in the race. We'll look to put things right in Le Mans when I'll be giving it my all for Tech 3 and Michelin in their home race."
Poncharal meanwhile believed Edwards could have held on to third.
“Colin had a really good start and he led the first lap, and even when Valentino and Dani pulled away we were confident we could get a podium finish," said the Frenchman. "Casey wasn't catching Colin and at one stage Colin was pulling away. But then he went straight on at the hairpin and he lost a bit of time. It is a great shame because although we were not going for the win, I think a podium was a possibility. We missed it this time but I'm sure there will be other opportunities. Colin was the first non-factory rider today so there are a lot of positives to be taken from the weekend."
Edwards' team-mate
James Toseland had a tough Shanghai debut, slipping from seventh to twelfth.
"I don't want to be finishing 12th but in my first season this type of result is going to happen," said the level-headed Englishman. "I had a few problems with the set-up all weekend, which hasn't helped with me learning the track. I got a decent start but really found it difficult with the setting I had. We were going to try something this morning but it was wet and we gambled with it for the race. On paper it looked really good but unfortunately it wasn't quite right. You don't need too many problems to finish 12th in
MotoGP.
