Tech 3 deny talks about all-Espargaro line-up in 2015

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal says he never spoke to Aleix Espargaro about the Spaniard joining his younger brother Pol Espargaro on a factory-backed YZR-M1 in 2015.

There have been several reports that Aleix was being considered as a serious option to join the French-based Tech 3 squad as replacement for British rider Bradley Smith.

But Poncharal said that has never been a serious consideration, despite impressive performances from Aleix in 2014.

He has finished inside the top six in four races on the new Open class Forward Racing project and scored a career first pole position with a brilliant qualifying performance in Assen last month.

But Poncharal says there has never been any contact with the 24-year-old, who will head up Suzuki’s new 1000cc MotoGP effort in 2015 having clinched a deal to partner reigning Moto3 world champion Maverick Vinales.

Poncharal told MCN: “I can deny 100% this rumour even though people have been talking about it. I don’t think Yamaha would have be keen, I am not keen and I don’t think Pol would have be keen. It has never been a possibility in my mind. Aleix is doing a great job and he deserves to go even further up in the way he is technically supported but we have never spoken.”