"With his unique personality, Colin has brought a great atmosphere to the garage, and together with James, we are proud to have two such dedicated riders. To have both Colin and James signed already, and a two-year deal in place with Yamaha until the end of 2010, the future has never looked brighter for Tech 3."
Edwards won his second World Superbike championship for Honda in 2002 before signing to ride for Aprilia in MotoGP the following season. A switch to Honda Gresini for 2004 saw the Texan score his first podium finishes and he became Rossi's factory Yamaha team-mate from 2005-2007.
Still to win a MotoGP race, the 34-year-old has finished in second place on four occasions, with his best championship position to date fourth place in 2005.
"We are very happy to have been able to secure Colin as a Yamaha rider for 2009," said Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Lin Jarvis. "We have been working to improve the quality of the total Yamaha package in the MotoGP class and in 2008 we have achieved the best combined results to date for many a year.
"This comes down to the fact that we currently have with the Yamaha Factory Team and the Tech 3 Yamaha Team two excellent teams, with first class technical partners, a great bike and four top class riders.
"Colin's contribution to the improvement of results of the Tech 3 Team has been very important for the team and for the total Yamaha results. Colin has also played a very important role in the pre-season bike development for 2008 and we are very happy to have retained his skills and experience for the 2009 campaign. I hope Colin can celebrate this new contract this weekend with a top result here in front of his home fans in Laguna Seca!"
Of the four Yamaha rides in
MotoGP, three are now already confirmed for next season -
Jorge Lorenzo at the factory team, plus Edwards and Toseland at Tech 3.
Valentino Rossi is expected to announce a new factory contract before the conclusion of this weekend's event.
