Wanted slighty faster rider than the one we picked.
OK Yamaha were on a bit of back foot to replace Rossi, but why pick the one they did, with respect to Yoshikawa san, is it just making up the numbers?
Toseland and Crutchlow were busy on Superbike duty and to be fair were on a hiding to nothing to get results, quickly.
How many riders have we seen come in to deputise for an injured rider not to perform and never be asked back.
Why not do as the F1 do have a test team with young test riders learning their craft in the background. These riders could be called upon to replace injured riders and act as first replacement. Tech 3 did it with Sylvain Guintoli testing Dunlop tyres.
Maybe the comments from Yamaha Managing director Lin Jarvis says it all.
"The benefit of Wataru's presence in our team will be threefold.
Firstly he brings with him a wealth of experience riding the YZR-M1. Secondly his presence allows us to fulfill our contractual obligations and to join the team's quest to accumulate points for the Team Championship. Thirdly he will gain valuable first hand MotoGP race experience in three challenging circuits which will surely be very useful to assist him and Yamaha with the future development of the YMR-M1.
"We look forward to welcoming Wataru into our team while we wait for Valentino's return to full fitness."