Britain's Cal Crutchlow has refused to comment on paddock speculation that he will be replaced by Moto2 star Pol Espargaro in the Monster Yamaha squad next season.
Rumour is rife that the young Spaniard is in talks with Yamaha for 2014 and Crutchlow's seat is the only one open after Valencia as team-mate Bradley Smith, and factory riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi locked into two-year deals.
“I have nothing to say on it. There’s not anything I know at the minute, so we can concentrate on the job on hand which is to race this weekend and race next weekend, until Herve tells me something. Until Herve tells me I’m not riding the bike, I won’t not get on it," said Crutchlow, speaking at Le Mans.
The only other factory seats for Espargaro, and Crutchlow for that matter, to consider are Nicky Hayden's spot at Ducati and the planned return to MotoGP by Suzuki.
Monster Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal says he has had no talks with Espargaro but added that it was more than likely the Pons rider had been in touch with factory boss Lin Jarvis.
"That Yamaha and Espargaro have spoken is a certainty. He is one of the most talented young riders in Moto2. Marc Marquez, Andrea Iannone and Bradley Smith have already made the jump to MotoGP and so that would also be a logical step for him next year," said Poncharal.
"The road to Honda is closed because they have four riders under contract until the end of 2014: two at Repsol Honda, one at Gresini and one at LCR. If Espargaro does want to compete in MotoGP next year, he will obviously have to do it with another marque and so it is obvious that he is in talks with Yamaha.
"I do not know the depth of those conversations; whether something has been agreed, is almost agreed or whether there is still a lot to sort out. What I do know is that Yamaha has four bikes and, when Cal Crutchlow is the only rider who is contracted only for this year, some think Espargaro could take his place.
"The current situation is that we are in May, that I have a contract with Cal for 2013 and that Yamaha has opened up some negotiations - nothing more than that. I love Cal and will be keeping him informed of what I know, simply to allow him as much time as possible to remain attractive on the rider market - whether that will be to stay at Yamaha or to go somewhere else."