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| Will Tornado Hopper Be John's Next Monster Move?
by dean adams Monday, January 05, 2009 Current speculation in both the printed info and electronic media worlds seem to indicate that the fall-out from Kawasaki's decision to leave the MotoGP class immediately puts American Colin Edwards II at risk of losing his Tech Three Yamaha ride for 2009. Speculation has it that if Kawasaki does leave MotoGP (there has as yet been no official announcement) that it will put John Hopkins back into open rider market and that Hopkins' relationship with Monster energy drinks could be used to ice Edwards from his ride. Meaning Hopkins would bring a Monster load of cash to Tech Three which would presumably boot Edwards from the team so that Hopkins and his money could be welcomed. The above is an interesting bit of fiction but probably little more than that. Why? Colin Edwards was a Yamaha motocross support rider in his teens and had a Yamaha contract before he could actually legally sign a legal document. There is an enormous amount of history between Edwards and Yamaha and it's doubtful that Yamaha will set match to that, even in the current economic slump. Edwards' contracted is written and signed. It would be completely out of character for Yamaha to try and negotiate a way for Hopkins to replace Edwards at this point. Beyond it being a major gamble, a move like that would destroy any confidence a rider has for the upcoming season. Edwards made several public and on the record comments at the Laguna Seca USGP where he thanked Yamaha US for helping him get his new MotoGP contract. Based on Edwards' comments one could certainly assume that Yamaha US is supporting the factory's commitment to Edwards in MotoGP. They're not going to throw a hand grenade into a situation supported by their office in one of their biggest markets. ENDS Post this story to: digg PRIVACY POLICY | HOME | RETURN TO TOP © 1997 - 2009 Hardscrabble Media LLC |
