Yamaha say - Following recent rumours in the media, Yamaha would like to confirm that American John Kocinski has been contracted by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan to carry out a preliminary test of the Grand Prix four-stroke prototype motorcycle, codename OW-M1. 

The former 250GP and Superbike world champion has been invited for a single session on the new machine to assist Yamaha in evaluating the current state of development. The date and location of the test have yet to be confirmed. Once the results have been established, Yamaha will decide whether to request his services for further tests during 2001.

Yamaha would like to clarify that this arrangement involves testing only and that there are no plans to engage Kocinski as a rider for the 2002 MotoGP season.

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