Checa signs for Tech 3 Yamaha.

As rumoured, Carlos Checa will ride a Dunlop shod Tech 3 Yamaha, alongside James Ellison, in the 2006 MotoGP World Championship - following official confirmation of the deal by Yamaha.

Checa was a Yamaha 500cc/MotoGP rider between 1999-2004, during which time he claimed 14 podium finishes and a best championship position of fifth. The Spaniard then switched to the Ducati Marlboro Team last season, with whom he took two podiums, before being replaced by countryman Sete Gibernau for 2006.

The #7 had looked set to join Honda Pons this season, but the loss of title sponsor Camel forced the team to withdraw from the 2006 world championship. According to the provisional MotoGP entry list, released last Friday, only Tech 3 had a 'to be announced' seat still available.

"Thanks to the combined efforts of Dunlop, Yamaha Motor and Tech 3, we have been able to finalise this project", explained Herve Poncharal, team manager of the French team. "After a difficult winter during which we developed our project with Dunlop, Yamaha and the young rider James Ellison, we are now really excited to see Carlos Checa joining the team.

"Carlos is the most experienced rider on this year's MotoGP grid. During his ten-year career as one of the top riders in the sport's premier category, he has ridden different bikes on different tyre brands and, based on this experience, his input to our development will be of great value, especially for Dunlop.

"With Carlos partnering James Ellison, one of the emerging talents and who raced on Dunlop tyres last year, we complete the ideal line-up of our team, a blend of youth and experience, in which we have strong hopes," he concluded.

"Yamaha is very pleased to be able to finally complete its two team, four rider line-up for the 2006 season," added Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing. "It was always our desire to try to have four riders on the grid, both to continue Yamaha's MotoGP participation at the optimum level and also to support the MotoGP sport which is very important for our business and provides us with great exposure and promotion for motorcycling worldwide.

"Yamaha would like to thank all the parties that contributed to the completion of this project and we wish the Tech 3 Yamaha Team every success in 2006."

Checa will get his first experience of the 2006 spec YZR-M1, on Dunlop tyres, during testing in Qatar on 5th, 6th and 7th of February.