Colin Edwards

I thought Id got a good start but the next thing I know is everybody flying by me. I was way down and it cost me the chance to fight for the podium really. Colin Edwards - MotoGP - Losail
Rider: Colin Edwards
Nickname: Texas Tornado
Nationality: American
Team: Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Machine: Yamaha YZR-M1 (#5)
Born: February 27, 1974 in Houston, Texas
In the beginning the kid from Conroe Texas was one of the most dominant amature riders to ever ride in the US. After setting numerous records in WERA & CCS he moved to the pro level in the AMA 250 class in 1992. The Texas Tornado, aka: Colin Edwards II, raced his way through the AMA series before earning his WSBK ride with Yamaha in 1995. After several years learning the european circuits he took the ride with Castrol Honda aboard the RC45, a decision which may have been the biggest move of his career. The arrival of the long awaited RC51 V-Twin rewarded the young Texan with his first ever world championship in 2000. His title defense did not go as well yet he still finished second and may very well have held on to the title if not for a few costly mistakes.

In 2002 Colin Edwards overcame 14 victories to start the season by rival Troy Bayliss and took a one point lead into the finale at Imola. There Colin won both races after epic battles with the Aussie. That said: Colin was once again a Worldsuperbike Champion.

After being spurned by Honda for a GP ride, Colin was hired on by Aprilia to campaign the 2003 MotoGP series on the 3-cylinder Cube. Colin only spent a season with Aprilia before jumping to the Movistar Honda squad in 2004. Back on a Honda the Texas Tornado scored his first MotoGP podium at the British GP, but didn't seem comfortable on the RC211V throughout the year. In 2005, Colin joined Rossi on the Yamaha M1 and had his best season to date, landing 4th overall in the Series. In 2006 the Texas Tornado suffered a heartbreaking crash at Assen while in the lead and within sight of the finish line. Overall '06 was a bit of a setback for Edwards, with just one podium finish to his credit.
Yamaha Tech 3s Colin Edwards exults in his hard-fought podium finish. - Assen


Heading into 2007, Edwards was looking to break out but it was a rough season for all the Yamahas and their Michelin tires. In 2008 Colin joined the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team along side James Toseland. He initially had better success, but suffered towards the end of the year. For 2009 the laid-back Texan will be scrapping for points on the satellite Yamaha Tech 3 squad alongside teammate and fellow World Superbike champion James Toseland.

Career highlights:
2008 - 7th MotoGP (Yamaha)
2007 - 9th MotoGP (Yamaha)
2006 - 7th MotoGP (Yamaha)
2005 - 4th MotoGP (Yamaha)
2004 - 5th MotoGP (Honda)
2003 - 13th MotoGP (Aprilia)
2002 - 1st World Superbike (Honda)
2002 - Suzuka 8 Hour Champion (Honda)
2001 - 2nd World Superbike (Honda)
2001 - Suzuka 8 Hour Champion (Honda)
2000 - 1st World Superbike (Honda)
1999 - 2nd World Superbike (Honda)
1998 - 5th World Superbike (Honda)
1997 - 12th World Superbike (Yamaha)
1996 - 5th World Superbike (Yamaha)
1996 - Suzuka 8 Hour Champion (Yamaha)
1995 - 11th World Superbike (Yamaha)
1994 - 5th AMA Superbike (Yamaha)
1993 - 6th AMA Superbike (Yamaha)
1992 - 1sr AMA 250 GP (Yamaha)