Edwards: Honestly, our bike is the best.

Despite taking just five points from the last two rounds, both won by Ducati's Casey Stoner, Colin Edwards still believes that his factory Yamaha is the best bike on the MotoGP grid.

After taking a podium at Jerez, Edwards has qualified on the front row for both the Turkish and Chinese Grands Prix - only to be taken out on the first lap in Istanbul, then slip to eleventh at Shanghai after tyre problems.

"China was really gutting for me - after the way my bike worked on Saturday for qualifying I really had my hopes up and it was devastating not to be able to fulfil my potential," said Edwards.

Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi has also suffered mixed fortunes, finishing tenth and second in the last two races with a machine that visibly suffers a lack of top speed compared with the Ducati. However, Edwards insists the YZR-M1 has what it takes - and intends to prove it this weekend at one of Yamaha's most successful circuits.

"I honestly believe our bike is the best one out there and now I just want to get to Le Mans and prove it!" stated the Texan. "We know we go well there so I'm really hoping I can get back on the podium. We didn't have the right tyre in China but Le Mans is 'home ground' for Michelin and we've done a lot of testing there over the last couple of years, which will hopefully help.

"This is always the busiest and most intense part of the season with no time to rest and building up to what is the biggest race of the year for me in Laguna Seca. My target is to arrive there with several podiums under my belt and in a strong position in the championship!" declared Edwards.