Edwards says race will be 'on the edge'

Many riders, including all three front row qualifiers Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Edwards, had falls during the build-up to the German Grand Prix, and Edwards believes the unique tyres required for the twisty and abrasive track will make the race particularly challenging.

"We had a little bit of a front issue because we've got to run such hard tyres to put up with the surface here," Edwards said.

"I tipped off yesterday, but I think just about everybody tipped off yesterday if I'm not mistaken. So to do a 30 lap race distance is going to be pretty much on the edge the whole time."

He explained that it took time to acclimatise to the Sachsenring tyre compounds as they were so distinct from the rubber used at all other venues.

"Michelin, and I'm sure the other tyre manufacturer, have to build such different fronts to withstand all the stress that (the tyres) have around this track," Edwards told BBC television.

"It's a tyre that we never use anywhere else, and we're just trying to get used to it. You obviously can't push it as hard as your other tyres and it's a bit of a strange feeling, but we're getting used to it."

But while he believes the race will be challenging, he was delighted with the performance of his bike and tyre package in qualifying trim.

"It just seemed to work right off the bat. My Tech 3 guys, the Yamaha and the Michelins have been working great," said Edwards.

"As far as today goes, it felt good. As soon as you put the qualifiers on here, the Michelins are just like super-glue and you can just go out and nail it. Thanks to them and to the team - it's good to be on the front row."

Edwards' front row start for this year's Sachsenring race is comfortably his best qualifying performance at the track, a venue he admits that he still mainly associates with the dramatic fire on his Aprilia in the 2003 GP - an incident the American now refers to as "the infamous barbeque".

He has now qualified on the front row five times in ten races this season, and has yet to start lower than sixth since joining the Tech 3 team.