Edwards frustrated by conditions

The American rider eventually finished fourth, but explained that his chosen Michelin tyre struggled in the cool and damp conditions of the opening laps.

"When you are sitting on the grid with big rain spots on the visor, it is the worst feeling because you just don't know what to expect," Edwards said.

"I actually got a good start but then somebody was out of the seat in Turn 1 in front of me and then somebody else did the same at the second corner. I thought, 'it must be real slick because of the rain.'

"And it was a bit like being on ice. I just got my head down but it seemed they were just driving away from me. I was on it and the electronics were kicking in and working but I wasn't really going anywhere.

"Basically I couldn't build any heat in the tyre early on. Running that different tyre from Michelin for acceleration grip instead of maximum corner speed, for those conditions it didn't really work.

"Had it been dry from the start we'd have been good to fight for the podium. But with a bit of moisture I couldn't get any heat in the side of the tyre and no edge grip in the middle of the corner.

"Once I got heat into it I was motoring, which proved had it been dry, I'd gone for a good direction with Michelin."

The result was Edwards' highest finish since the Sachsenring last July, and he hopes it will be a springboard for better things now that Tech 3 have Yamaha's latest pneumatic valve engine.

"I wanted to be on the podium but I'll settle for fourth," he said.

"It's something to build on and now we have got the new engine we can look forward with a lot of confidence. It was my best result for a long time so thanks to Tech 3 Yamaha and Michelin for that."