Edwards set for factory farewell.

Amongst Edwards' highlights during three seasons with the factory team were the 2005 teams' and constructors' titles and a new MotoGP record of 17 point-scoring finishes. The Texan has also taken six M1 podiums, and came within one corner of a debut victory at Assen 2006.

This season, the former double World Superbike champion has taken a best finish of second and currently sits eighth in the points - just two ahead of fellow American Nicky Hayden.

"This season hasn't really turned out exactly how we had planned, there have been some high points and some low points but all I'm thinking about now is making sure that Valencia is one of the high ones!" said Edwards. "The last two races have been especially difficult but we're starting with a clean slate on Friday morning and we'll go from there. Of course it is not easy to win races in this series but that's the target we start off with at every grand prix.

"My guys have worked so hard all season and I really want to give them something to be proud of at the last race. It's going to be a strange race - my last with the team - but I'm really happy that I'm staying within the Yamaha family. My wife and a few friends from home are coming over too so I hope we can make it a weekend to celebrate," he added.

"This is Colin's final race with the factory team but he will be staying with Yamaha, which is important to us," stated team director Davide Brivio. "From our point of view he has been a great guy to work with and the combination with Valentino has been fantastic. In 2005, during his first season with the team, we won the teams' and constructors' titles, which was a great achievement together. That is why we are happy for him to stay in the Yamaha family and we wish him the very best for next season."

Edwards will join double WSBK champion James Toseland at Tech 3 next year, with 250cc champion Jorge Lorenzo taking his seat alongside Rossi at the factory team.