Although the speculation on whether Michael van der Mark would join Jonathan Rea in the all-conquering Kawasaki WorldSBK team has died away, the Dutchman has also been linked with the spare Petronas Yamaha MotoGP chair.

Currently, the new MotoGP squad has Franky Morbidelli in one seat and the world awaits Dani Pedrosa's decision on whether to join or retire. If it is the latter, then van der Mark could be in line but will have Alvaro Bautista, Bradley Smith and Scott Redding to beat.

“For me it is no problem to go, and it is a nice opportunity,” van der Mark told bikesportnews.com. “I think they are still finalising a plan and I am also seeing what I will do next year.

"Everybody is speaking with each other, everywhere, so I am not going to say I am speaking with them, or them, everybody speaks with each other but for sure it would be a nice opportunity.”

The MotoGP decision might be why van der Mark's Pata Yamaha team have not made any rider announcements as yet. It is believed that Alex Lowes has either signed or is very close to an agreement.