Ellison: Yamaha, Dunlop and Tech3: That'll do me!

New for 2006, British MotoGP rider James Ellison joins Crash.net as a columnist and, in his first instalment, tells us all about his ride for this season at Tech 3 Yamaha, where he partners Carlos Checa...

Well who would have thought it? I am currently preparing to embark on the biggest year of my life running a factory Yamaha in MotoGP.

It was only a year ago when I thought my chances of ever making it into GPs were gone, having had to come back to the UK after spending six years racing around the world.

At the end of 2003 - after winning the World Endurance Championship with Phase One Endurance and finishing third in the European Superstocks with my privately run HAP Construction, HI-Peak and Southern Counties Carpentry team - I was left with no options for 2005 as the championships I was competing in were not considered to be of any great significance, (all I can say to that is "Lanzi" - he was a shock to the WSBK boys).

Anyway, as it was approaching the start of the season I was thrown a lifeline by Jentin Yamaha and we had a fantastic year - winning the BSB Cup along the way and collecting some good points in WSBK, which then led to Peter Clifford and WCM offering me a chance in MotoGP.

As you can tell, a lot happened over the space of a year, I believe everything happens for a reason and I would be riding in AMA Superstocks now if things had panned out how I wanted them to at the end of 2003. So I'm really happy knowing that - had things worked out my way - I have no idea where I would be right now, but as it happens I will be riding in the elite class of motorcycle racing on the best bike and tyres in the world. How cool is that?!

Although I am ecstatic about the coming season with Tech 3 and Yamaha, I was sad to leave Peter and the team as they were the ones that gave me the once in a lifetime opportunity of riding a MotoGP bike and I would have stayed with them to the end had there been a secure opportunity.

I have learned so much from them (technically and general paddock etiquette), and we became like a family, I will always be grateful for everything they did and I hope it all works out for the guys this year.

All that's left to say is, wish me luck, cross everything possible and thank-you to everyone that has supported me over the years, especially my Mum, Dad and Big Bro!

J :)