Yamaha Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal considering Andrea Dovizioso for 2012 season – MotoGP news
Monster Yamaha Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal has shortlisted Andrea Dovizioso and World Superbike championship rider Eugene Laverty for the 2012 ride along Cal Crutchlow.
The Tech3 squad was considering many names for the 2012 empty seat. The space was available because the Texan Tornado, Colin Edwards will end his contract with Tech3 this season. For 2012, Edwards has closed a deal with Forward Racing which will participate
under CRT regulation.
Herve Poncharal shared his views with MCN and said, “I would say now there are three names. There’s Andrea Dovizioso, Eugene Laverty and Alvaro Bautista. I think who will be the rider should be clear by Japan. I believe Alvaro is giving the priority to Suzuki
first and if nothing works out there it could be Aspar or us.”
In Poncharal’s opinion, the most likely names for the next season are WSBK rider Eugene Laverty and Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso.
Poncharal further commented, “Eugene is young and really fast and he made a good step from Supersport to World Superbikes this year. With Yamaha stopping in World Superbikes he’s facing a tough situation right now, but I have a lot of faith and trust in
his potential.”
Laverty is an important name because he is riding for the Yamaha WSBK factory team in the Championship. After Yamaha’s decision to walk out of WSBK with the end of 2011, Laverty is in search for a racing machine.
On the other side, current Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso is also coming to an end on his contract with HRC. The Japanese manufacturer has also decided to reduce the number of factory bikes on the grid which leaves him free for 2012. Considering his
potential performance, he is a valuable asset for 2012.
Another positive point for Dovizioso is his third position in the MotoGP championship so far. Having a good experience on a MotoGP prototype will help him quickly understand the M1 and deliver desirable results.
In Poncharal’s opinion, producing good results is the key factor to choose a rider and is a positive step in all aspects.
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