Edwards is new Brit in GP250.

TSR has announced that veteran Nobby Ueda will have a team-mate in this year's MotoGP series, with the signing of Britain's Stuart Edwards to contest the GP250 class in 2001.

While Ueda competes again in the 125cc class, Edwards has added another string to TSR's bow by signing to compete in the higher 250cc category on the team's comeback to the class after a two- year break.

The British rider finished eighth overall in last year's European Championship 250cc class, but has suffered numerous ups and downs in a long racing career. Nevertheless, his ambition was always focused on racing, and he was very determined to break into the MotoGP arena.

"It's big news for us, adding a British rider in our team! !" commented team boss Masa Fujii, "Our team is based and operated from UK so having a British rider in our team is a natural choice.

"Stu is a younger brother of Ian who works at TSR UK in Milton Keynes. The plan to run Stuart for this year once fell through but Ian never gave up the idea, he had been putting his effort and kept the squad determined, he deserves my praise. Ian was involved from the day one of TSR UK and had been working hard so in return in '98 I gave him a used 250 frame for him with red ribbon tied on it! It was his request for his brother Stuart. We never forgot tears in Ian's eyes."

"I am so thrilled to be in the 2001 250cc World Championship," Edwards said, "It came as a big surprise because I thought my chance had gone for this year. I was getting ready to once again contest the 250cc European Championship when I received the news that I had gained a grand prix start.

"I am really looking forward to riding for TSR because they have a great history in grands prix at all levels, especially at 250cc. They have put a lot of faith in me by giving me this chance and I am looking forward to repaying them with a successful season. It is also an honour to be in the same team as Nobby Ueda, as he is one of grands prix's favourite riders and to be sharing a garage with him will be just brilliant.

"I believe I deserve the chance, as I finished eighth in last year's 250cc European Championship riding a standard Yamaha on a shoestring budget. My whole season was designed to get into grands prix in 2001, and that is why I only contested the European Championship in 2000.

"My goal for this year is to consistently finish in the top 15 and use it as a stepping stone to greater things in 2002. The first two grand prix will be a little difficult because the first time I get to ride my new Honda RS250 will be in unofficial qualifying at Suzuka for the first grand prix on 8 April."