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Yamaha's MotoGP managing director Lin Jarvis is expecting a "very interesting" year of off-track discussions to form the 2017 silly season.

In a unique situation, the contracts of all eight Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki factory riders expire at the end of the this year, along with a number of leading satellite riders.

KTM will return to MotoGP in 2017, while one of Jarvis' current riders, Valentino Rossi, has admitted that he will be considering whether to even remain in the series next year.



"It will be very interesting to see what's going on off the track this year as well," Jarvis said during Yamaha's 2016 launch event on Monday.

"All of the major teams, all of the major riders, their contracts expire.

"Normally riders would sign up for two-year agreements, so there will be a lot of discussions going on."

With 2016's regulation changes including a new control electronics system and the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tyres, there is the potential for the MotoGP hierarchy to change.

After Marc Marquez claimed the title for Honda in 2013 and '14, the brand struggled last year, as Yamaha's Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo fought it out for the title.

Jarvis expects riders will wait to see how each manufacturer adapts to the platform, before locking in their new contracts.

"What most riders will probably do in the beginning, is see indeed how their manufacturer is performing with the new circumstances," he added.

"Obviously every rider's number one desire is to be competitive in the next two years of their life.

"Before that, they need to be sure and have confidence that the Honda or the Yamaha, or the Ducati will be competitive.

"I don't know when the first move will come, for the contracts, but I guess it will probably be after three or four races.

"But maybe sooner, you never know."