Pata Yamaha’s Alex Lowes is not in talks with Herve Poncharal’s Tech3 MotoGP team for a 2017 deal, according to manager and former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson.

Hodgson spoke to bikesportnews.com at Imola this afternoon and said that no talks had taken place for Lowes to switch to MotoGP next year.

“I haven’t talked to Tech3 about next year. In fact, I haven’t spoken to anyone about next year as Alex has a contract with Yamaha,” he said.

Speculation started about a move as former Yamaha WSBK rider Marco Melandri is a guest of the team at Imola this weekend. He is a close friend of Andrea Dosoli, who oversees the WSBK project, which has led to a substantial amount of talk in the paddock after Lowes spent some time at the Jerez MotoGP round supporting twin brother Sam, who is moving to the Aprilia MotoGP team next year.

The fact that Lowes was seen in a Monster T-shirt at Jerez should come as no surprise, given he has been backed by the energy drink company for several years.

Melandri is, apparently, on the verge of signing a deal that will bring him back to the championship next season.