As rumoured,
Colin Edwards will remain alongside
James Toseland at Tech 3 next season after agreeing a new one-year contract to stay at the satellite Yamaha team.
The deal was announced on the eve of Edwards' home US Grand Prix and means the double World Superbike champion will continue his M1 relationship for a fifth season.
"I am very happy to renew my contract with the Tech 3 team and Yamaha for 2009," said Edwards. "It is also extra special for me to be able to announce it at my home race in Laguna Seca. I have always had a fantastic rapport with the American fans, and a great relationship with many people at Yamaha US."
The double World Superbike champion had initially planned to step back from grand prix racing at the end of this year and spend a season racing for Yamaha in the AMA Superbike Championship before retirement.
However, Edwards has been rejuvenated by the switch from the factory Yamaha team to Poncharal's satellite outfit - taking two podiums and a pole from the first ten rounds - and soon made clear he saw no reason to quit when things are going so well.
"It is no secret that I had agreed with Yamaha to finish my
MotoGP career at the end of 2008 and continue my racing career with them in America," he confirmed. "But as soon as I began working with the Tech 3 team I instantly formed a great relationship with my guys. A big part of me wanting to stay is down to them, particularly Herve Poncharal and my crew chief Gary Reynders, but it has been a real team effort.
"With the amazing amount of work and dedication shown by Yamaha staff throughout last winter, I knew I wasn't ready to leave MotoGP before the season had even started. The fact that I have been able to produce the best form of my MotoGP career this season speaks volumes for the effort and commitment the Tech 3 team has put in."
Nevertheless, question marks had been raised over Tech 3's 2009 budget and Edwards had been linked with Kawasaki, but it seems Yamaha stepped in to help close the deal.
