Austin MotoGP: Edwards 'excited', Corti 'playground'

When Colin Edwards made his MotoGP debut in 2003, there wasn't a single American round on the grand prix calendar.

Fast-forward to 2013 and MotoGP has no less than three US-based events, including this weekend's COTA debut in Edwards' home state of Texas.

"I?m really excited about the Austin GP, it will be the first GP I?ve ever driven to, which is awesome!" said the Forward Racing rider. "As far as expanding the audience we?ve had one [MotoGP] out west side, one on the east side and now we get to have one south. I?ve got a lot of friends, a lot of family coming and I am looking forward to it. It should be good!"

Edwards failed to finish after mechanical problems with his FTR-Kawasaki in the Qatar race, while rookie team-mate Claudio Corti just missed out on the points in 16th. Edwards has ridden COTA on a road bike, but Italian Corti can't wait to sample the 'new playground'.

"I always look forward to going to a new circuit, it's like entering into a brand new playground when you are a little kid!" he said "I expect it to be a tough weekend since we have no data on this new track, but with the experience from Qatar I go into this race cool headed and confident about the team?s potential and my own."

As well as Edwards, Pramac Ducati's Ben Spies will be the other Texan racing in MotoGP this weekend.