Monster close to Tech 3 Yamaha deal

James Toseland and Colin Edwards are expected to line-up on the 2009 MotoGP grid with backing from energy drink Monster, MCN can reveal.

The American energy drink giant is close to signing a deal to back the French-based squad following the collapse of Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP, which Monster had signed to support again in 2009.

Monster backed Kawasaki’s factory team in a deal tied in with American rider John Hopkins.

And bosses don’t want Monster to lose its position in the MotoGP market with Kawasaki announcing last month it would withdraw from the premier class because of the worldwide recession.

The company recently signed a personal sponsorship deal with reigning world champion Valentino Rossi and the Italian now carries the famous green ‘M’ logo on his paddock cap and he has stickers on either side of his AGV helmet.