By Julian Shea

Colin Edwards has had a frustrating time this season

Fiat Yamaha rider Colin Edwards says a decent display at the British MotoGP at Donington this weekend can help him salvage something from a poor season.

After seven rounds Edwards lies 10th in the championship but he says tracks like Donington and Holland suit him.

"I just want to win races, that's my only goal," he told BBC Sport.

"I'm not in the championship, I'm done with that, but there are still some places where I've got a chance. You don't go into this half-heartedly."

Last season regular top-10 placings saw the two-time World Superbikes champion finish the season seventh overall, but this year has been a huge disappointment, particularly in France, where he finished 12th after starting on pole.

And Edwards says this season's new tyre rules are entirely to blame for his poor performance.

Teams are now restricted to nominating 14 front and 17 rear tyres before a race weekend and having to stick with that choice whatever the conditions.

Edwards and team-mate Valentino Rossi have their tyres supplied by Michelin, who used to make up bespoke tyres for the race based upon the results of practice and qualifying.

Edwards' early season optimism seems a distant memory now

"The tyre rule is 100% the problem - if this was any other year than this one, it'd be a hell of a lot better than it is right now," he said.

"Bridgestone are ahead of the game with the new rule.

"They've always run this rule as they didn't have the ability to build tyres overnight and ship them to the track.

"With Michelin, we've always worked on Friday and Saturday, and then after whatever work we've done, they could ship something in for the race on the Sunday.

"We don't have that ability any more, we have to make the gamble before we even get on the track.

"As far as the development goes, Valentino is getting his tyres developed the way he wants but we know from the past that I can't use his and vice-versa".

Two years ago Edwards came fourth at Donington in monsoon conditions, and with more rain forecast this weekend, tyre selection could be more important than ever.

"If it's wet, Donington poses hydroplaning hazards - it puddles in places and doesn't have a drain like most tracks, so that's a hazard," he said.

"We found that a couple of years ago, when you're locking your front brakes going into corners, it puts you on pins and needles."