Edwards was second at Donington earlier this year

American Colin Edwards is having a solid year in MotoGP.

Edwards has won pole twice (Le Mans and Donington) and been on the podium at Jerez and Donington. The second-place in England tied his best ever MotoGP result.

The two-time World Superbike champion is seventh in points but has had some bad luck this season. His standing in the championship doesn't accurately gage his pace. Edwards was collected in Olivier Jacque's Turkey crash and his Le Mans wet weather tire gamble didn't pay off.

Edwards has also been racing on Michelins. The French firm has struggled with the new tire regulations early in 2007 but seems to be righting the ship.

The European press seems to think Edwards will be replaced in the Yamaha team by Jorge Lorenzo next year, but we don't buy it yet.

First of all, Edwards is running pretty well. Is a rookie going to come and perform better, getting some poles and putting the bike on the box? We doubt it.

The second factor is Edwards has been an ideal teammate to Valentino Rossi. Rossi likes Edwards and is comfortable having him on the team. And what Valentino wants at Yamaha, he gets.