Mika Kallio misses Forward Yamaha chance

Mika Kallio missed out on a last minute chance to return to the MotoGP world championship in 2015.

The Finnish rider was made an 11th hour proposal to join ex-Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl in the Forward Racing squad in Misano last month.

But he knocked back the chance to race the Yamaha YZR-M1 Open class project having already agreed a deal to remain in Moto2 with the Italtrans squad.

Kallio, who is being replaced in the Marc VDS Racing squad by Alex Marquez next season, has made no secret of his desire to return to MotoGP for the first time since 2010.

He had discussions with Aspar Honda and also spoke at length about a deal to join Aprilia’s new factory project, which will be launched a year ahead of schedule in 2015.

But Forward Yamaha boss Giovanni Cuzari told MCN: “We tried with Mika but he decided to try and win the Moto2 world championship with Italtrans. We were late to make a proposal in Misano and he told us he had shook hands with Italtrans.

“We lost some time because we left a place open for (Scott) Redding, as we were very interested in him. But when it was clear he was not available we made the offer to Mika. We also tried with our current rider Simone Corsi but he also decided to stay in Moto2 with us.”

Forward Racing confirmed French rider Loris Baz will join Bradl in 2015 during last weekend’s Magny Cours WSB round.