Sepang test: Colin Edwards delighted with 2009 debut

American Colin Edwards shrugged off a niggling neck injury to make a brilliant start to 2009, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocking the fourth best time in Sepang.

Making his debut on the 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1, the double World Superbike champion set a best time of 2.01.413 in a short 22-lap stint on the final day.

That left him just 0.370s off the best pace set by 2007 MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner and 0.27s slower than Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi.

Edwards, who was also making only his second appearance on Bridgestone tyres, was 1.4s faster than his best 2008 Malaysian GP race lap on Michelin rubber.

The Texan said: “I am really happy with this test because each time I’ve gone out on track I’ve made progress.

“The bike was so good on the first day it was hard to think how to make it any better. Yamaha has done a fantastic job on the new YZR-M1.

“The engine is better, the chassis is better and with Bridgestone tyres, we’ve got a really competitive package. I haven’t done a lot of laps but I’ve gone for quality rather than quantity.

“I did a long run on the second day just for my own database on Bridgestone and I’ve got to say they have a great product.”

Satisfied with his progress, Edwards packed up before 130pm this afternoon to head back to America for a medical check on his neck.

Edwards first damaged his neck when crashing out of the top six in a rain-lashed Sachsenring clash last July.

But he aggravated the old injury when putting his Arai helmet on for a run on the first day.

He added: “It was like a bolt of lightning going through my head. I first injured it when I crashed in the Sachsenring race last year and then it was giving a lot of trouble at Laguna Seca.

“I’ll fly home to Texas and get it checked out. It was manageable on the bike and certainly didn’t hurt my lap time once I had the adrenaline going, but I want to make sure I’m going to be 100 per cent fit for the start of the season.

“This test has left me really confident and optimistic for the new season already and I can’t wait for the next test in Qatar.”

Edwards will be back on track on March 1 for the night test at the Losail International Circuit in Doha.