Yamaha confirms Kocinski is to test OW-M1.

Following recent rumours, Yamaha have confirmed that American John Kocinski has been contracted by Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd, Japan, to carry out a preliminary test of the Grand Prix four-stroke prototype motorcycle, codename OW-M1.

The former 250GP and Superbike world champion has been invited for a single session on the new machine to assist Yamaha in evaluating the current state of development, with the date and location of the test have yet to be confirmed.

Once the results have been established, Yamaha will decide whether to request his services for further tests during 2001.

Yamaha stressed that the arrangement involves testing only and that there are no plans at present to engage Kocinski as a rider for the 2002 MotoGP season.