Rumours Mills 2008/09

[ChrisS]

Lorenzo Lanzi to Squadra Corse Italia Honda
Karl Muggeridge to Celani Suzuki

I hope that Celani Suzuki come up with a machine as competitive as the Superstock 1000 unit Aitchison was aboard in 2007 so Muggers can get up with the front-runners......I hear Alstar will have some input into the development of the bike........ :D Velly interesting year ahead in WSBK.

[ChrisS]

I havent seen an official release anywhere but it looks like PSG-1 will still use Kawasakis next season.

Their website has Ayrton Badovini as rider and a ZX-10R in San Marino's white and blue colours

http://www.psg-1net.com/3Sommario.html

[ChrisS]

Regis Laconi has signed for DFX next season, the team will switch to Ducati.

[axxexs]

Robbin Harms have signed with Team VEIDEC Honda.
http://sporten.tv2.dk/motorsport/article.php/id-18231298.html

[ChrisS]

Brendan Roberts to BSB with NW200 Ducati to replace Rutter?

http://www.realroadracing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2311

The latest news from the Macau Grand Prix indicates that British Superbike legend, Michael Rutter has ridden his last race for the North West 200 Ducati team.

Rutter is believed to have been offered a management role within the team with his racing outings restricted to the North West 200 and potentially the TT, however the move would bring an end to his 301 race old BSB career. European Superstock Champion Brendan Roberts is expected to replace Rutter as team leader for the 2009 British Superbike campaign.

Keen to extend his career in the worlds most prestigious domestic Superbike series, Rutter is thought to have turned down the offer to pursue other options in BSB including running his own team. This would be a move that is likely to see him also contest the North West 200 and potentially a return to the TT.

[patnicholls]

Quite amusingly, this thread is a couple of days ahead of crash.net for news now...I posted the Badovini at PSG-1 story up on the crash comments page, and it appeared as a separate story shortly afterwards. The Robbin Harms news was also on here first.

:p

[axxexs]

Stefan Bradl stays in 125GP next year. No money from Red Bull and the reason for that is the econmical situation in the world right now. Bradl will be the only rider in Keifer and right now they dont have any main sponsor for next year.

Looks like Talmacsi will be riding in 250 class for Althea Honda in 09.

[jonny hurlock]

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/bsb/news/172123-0/walker_back_to_bsb_with_rob_mac_yamaha.html

return of the stalker in bsb with rob mac yamaha, I guess his team mate will be karl harris then, hope so.

[jonny hurlock]

Both Delson Derbi and the team that was known as Lotus Aprilia will continue. Lotus Aprilia will now be known as Team 48 (they are hoping to resign Lotus Watches) and the team is now owned by the team members themselves. The retirement of Amatriain many link to his bust up with former protege Jorge Lorenzo, that's also the reason Jorge is on the lookout for a new racing number, (I hear he wanted #0 but Dorna said no so he has reserved #23 and #99).

http://www.crash.net/picture_view.asp?cid=6&category_id=303&event_id=MotoGPtestjerez_26112008&search_string=&pid=14

note dani got the number 3 for next season, last time some had the no 3 on a works honda, got the sack memory serve, me right one max biaggi, imo I wouldn not swap my no plate for a million years just ask rossi 46 (good luck charm scene back 1996) so I hope Jorge doesn't swap either the hear its #99 plate

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/bsb/news/172148-0/harris_set_for_hydrex_honda_return.html

dreaming of a karl harris and stalker at rob mac no chance, what a shame, but his off to hydrex honda instead

[patnicholls]

Brendan Roberts will be on a Guandalini Ducati in WSB in 2009 (where Jakub Smrz was this year; not known if he'll be retained too):

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wsbk/news/172145-0/roberts_to_race_guandalini_ducati_in_'09.html

Good move I think, decent private team who prepare a good fast bike for his WSB debut. :up:

[tha_jackal]

Tis good news, deserves a shot..
Wonder what it means for Kuba Smrz...

[patnicholls]

It means Jakub is staying too and the team is now a two-bike effort:

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wsbk/news/172176-0/guandalini_double_efforts_with_smrz.html

[racer69]

Any word on the Boulder Motorsport Ducati?

Rumoured rider Jake Zemke is seemingly riding an Erion Honda at the upcoming Daytona tyre test

[tha_jackal]

Any word on the Boulder Motorsport Ducati?

Rumoured rider Jake Zemke is seemingly riding an Erion Honda at the upcoming Daytona tyre test

not looking good im afraid...

Boulder Motorsports: Is The Dream Dead?
Monday, December 01, 2008

"Boulder Motorsports made a big splash when they announced plans to go AMA Superbike racing on Ducati 1098s at selected events this year. After the DMG take-over stalled, their principle, Brian Sharp, said that Boulder would be racing in the World Superbike championship on Ducatis in '09 instead.

It is known that the slowing global economy drastically altered Boulder's '09 plans. There they are not alone.

The rumor at the Portugal WSBK round was that Boulder would be teaming up with the Guandalini Racing World Superbike team in 2009 and running one American rider. Guandalini Racing entered the very talented Czech rider Jakub Smrz in 2008. Smrz, who, although he sometimes looks like an extra in the prison boat scene in Papillon, is a big talent in World Superbike, a promising rider for the future. He will continue with the team for '09.

Riders such as Jake Zemke and Josh Hayes were mentioned in regards to the Boulder ride last Summer.

However, Guandalini Racing announced recently that former Superstock world champion and Ducati Xerox Junior Team rider Brenden Roberts will fill their second rider position for 2009. The announcement on Roberts made no mention of Boulder Motorsports.

Ducati sources could not confirm that Boulder Motorsports have an '09 Superbike ordered. E-mail messages sent to Boulder's Brian Sharp requesting comment on their '09 plans have not yet been returned.

ENDS"

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Dec/081201a.htm

[patnicholls]

And from the "Wild and Wacky" end of the spectrum, a rumour of Valentino wanting to race WSB against Troy Bayliss:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Dec/081203b46.htm

The article makes no reference to the fact that Troy Bayliss has now retired...

[ChrisS]

The "Rossi vs Bayliss" story first came out of Italy and I think it has lost a lot in translation.

If I understand correctly Rossi's said he would like to take part in a F1 race and a SBK race and he would love it if Bayliss was also persuaded to make a return for a race against him.

[jim mcglinchey]

With Honda out of F1, who is going to start the Honda out of MotoGP rumours? Heh, heh.

[The Phantom]

With Honda out of F1, who is going to start the Honda out of MotoGP rumours? Heh, heh.

Well I heard today that Suzuki has quit AMA and MX...

[alleskids]

There are many difference between their F1 adventure and the MotGP:
Honda has succes in MotoGP.
Honda has many sponsors in their MotoGP team and big paying clients.
Their motorbikes are more related to their showroommodels then their F1 car which helps to sell and bring the technology to their showroommodels.

[jim mcglinchey]

Most of thats true, except that they havent had much success since Rossis departure, and unless Dovi can turn things around they may not have much success in the near future, but in the cold light of the Japanese and the global financial crisis the other factors may not be enough to swing it.

[myuu007]

With Honda out of F1, who is going to start the Honda out of MotoGP rumours? Heh, heh.
:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Krigen]

What is happening with Fonsi Nieto?? I will rather pick him over Kagayama

[jim mcglinchey]

Well I heard today that Suzuki has quit AMA and MX...

Honda out of AMA too now.

Why the feck has nobody on here anything to say about this critical issue??????

Honda out of AMA too now.

Why the feck has nobody on here anything to say about this critical issue??????

Jim........The US situation was discussed in the thread "US Superbike Classes"in July/August after being posted by Bobby C . Seems like the US situation needs sorting and that the problem lies with different groups in the States who need to get their acts together if they want to retain and increase international interest.

If grid numbers drop any further, viewing interest with lower accordingly!

Refer to this latest info at http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/557/1911/Motorcycle-Article/3.3-Mil-AMA-Road-Racing-Purse.aspx

[ChrisS]

Alstare Suzuki will only race 2 bikes in 09 with only Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama so Nieto is left without a ride

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wsbk/news/172675-0/alstare_suzuki_drops_nieto_from_line-up.html

[ChrisS]

The FIM released the provisional entry lists for the MotoGP World Championship, Pedrosa is using #3, I guess because he finished 3rd in 08. why is Lorenzo using #99?

MotoGP
N°-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
3-Dani Pedrosa-SPA-Repsol Honda Team-Honda
4-Andrea Dovizioso-ITA-Repsol Honda Team-Honda
5-Colin Edwards-USA-Tech 3 Yamaha-Yamaha
7-Chris Vermeulen-AUS-Rizla Suzuki Motogp-Suzuki
14-Randy De Puniet-FRA-LCR Honda Motogp-Honda
15-Alex De Angelis-RSM-San Carlo Honda Gresini-Honda
21-John Hopkins-USA-Kawasaki Racing Team-Kawasaki
24-Toni Elias-SPA-San Carlo Honda Gresini-Honda
27-Casey Stoner-AUS-Ducati Marlboro Team-Ducati
33-Marco Melandri-ITA-Kawasaki Racing Team-Kawasaki
36-Mika Kallio-FIN-Pramac Racing-Ducati
46-Valentino Rossi-ITA-Fiat Yamaha Team-Yamaha
52-James Toseland-GBR-Tech 3 Yamaha-Yamaha
59-Sete Gibernau-SPA-Grupo Francisco Hernando-Ducati
65-Loris Capirossi-ITA-Rizla Suzuki Motogp-Suzuki
69-Nicky Hayden-USA-Ducati Marlboro Team-Ducati
72-Yuki Takahashi-JPN-Scot Racing Team Motogp-Honda
88-Niccolo Canepa-ITA-Pramac Racing-Ducati
99-Jorge Lorenzo-SPA-Fiat Yamaha Team-Yamaha

250cc
N°-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
4-Hiroshi Aoyama-JPN-Scot Racing Team 250cc-Honda
7-Axel Pons-SPA-Pepe World Pons WRB-Aprilia
8-Bastien Chesaux-SUI-Racing Team Germany-Honda
9-Toni Wirsing-GER-Racing Team Germany-Honda
10-Imre Toth-HUN-Team Toth Aprilia-Aprilia
12-Thomas Luthi-SUI-Emmi - Caffe Latte-Aprilia
14-Ratthapark Wilairot-THA-Thai Honda Ptt Sag-Honda
15-Roberto Locatelli-ITA-Metis Gilera-Gilera
16-Jules Cluzel-FRA-Matteoni Racing-Aprilia
17-Karel Abraham-CZE-Cardion Ab Motoracing-Aprilia
19-Alvaro Bautista-SPA-MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM 250cc-Aprilia
21-Hector Barbera-SPA-Pepe World Pons Wrb-Aprilia
25-Alex Baldolini-ITA-Wtr San Marino Team-Aprilia
28-Gabor Talmacsi-HUN-BALATON RACING TEAM 250cc-Aprilia
35-Raffaele De Rosa-ITA-SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc-Honda
41-Aleix Espargaro-SPA-Campetella Racing-Aprilia
48-Shoya Tomizawa-JPN-Team Cip-Honda
51-Stevie Bonsey-USA-Aprilia Madrid-Aprilia
52-Lukas Pesek-CZE-Auto Kelly - Cp-Aprilia
58-Marco Simoncelli-ITA-Metis Gilera-Gilera
63-Mike Di Meglio-FRA-MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM 250cc-Aprilia
75-Mattia Pasini-ITA-Team Toth Aprilia-Aprilia

125cc

N°-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
5-Alexis Masbou-FRA-Loncin Racing-Loncin
7-Dominique Aegerter-SUI-Ajo Interwetten-Derbi
8-Lorenzo Zanetti-ITA-Wwc-Aprilia
11-Sandro Cortese-GER-Ajo Interwetten-Derbi
12-Esteve Rabat-SPA-Blusens Aprilia-Aprilia
16-Cameron Beaubier-USA-Red Bull Ktm 125-Ktm
17-Stefan Bradl-GER-Kiefer Racing-Aprilia
18-Nicolas Terol-SPA-Jack & Jones Pons Wrb-Aprilia
24-Simone Corsi-ITA-Jack & Jones Pons Wrb-Aprilia
27-Stefano Bianco-ITA-Cbc Corse-Aprilia
29-Andrea Iannone-ITA-Wwc-Aprilia
30-Pere Tutusaus-SPA-Matteoni Racing-Aprilia
32-Lorenzo Savadori-ITA-Fontana Racing-Aprilia
33-Sergio Gadea-SPA-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc-Aprilia
34-Randy Krummenacher-SUI-Degraaf Grand Prix-Aprilia
38-Bradley Smith-GBR-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc-Aprilia
44-Pol Espargaro-SPA-Derbi Racing Team-Derbi
45-Scott Redding-GBR-Blusens Aprilia-Aprilia
60-Julian Simon-SPA-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM 125cc-Aprilia
66-Matthew Hoyle-GBR-Maxtra Team-Maxtra
71-Tomoyoshi Koyama-JPN-Loncin Racing-Loncin
72-Marco Ravaioli-ITA-Cbc Corse-Aprilia
73-Takaaki Nakagami-JPN-Wwc-Aprilia
81-Jasper Iwema-NED-Kiefer Racing-Aprilia
88-Michael Ranseder-AUT-Maxtra Team-Maxtra
93-Marc Marquez-SPA-Red Bull Ktm 125-Ktm
94-Jonas Folger-GER-Wwc-Aprilia
99-Danny Webb-GBR-Degraaf Grand Prix-Aprilia
-To Be Advised- -Derbi Racing Team-Derbi

[leopard]

Great choice for number 3, and 99, I've been waiting so long ...

[patnicholls]

Interesting lists there, and not as bad for the 250cc class as some had feared, which is good.

We're missing Hector Faubel in 250s (Thai SGG Honda I believe, MotoGP.com had interviewed him about it so it's presumably happening) and probably Joan Olive on a 125cc (his current seat is the unconfirmed Derbi at the bottom) amongst others, so there may be a few more.

-----------

Other news includes Pedercini Kawasaki announcing David Salom and Luca Scassa in WSB, and BSB team Rob Mac Yamaha announcing the capture of Michael Rutter and Graeme Gowland alongside Chris Walker, with Dan Linfoot riding for them in Brit Supersport.

[ChrisS]

Other news includes Pedercini Kawasaki announcing David Salom and Luca Scassa in WSB, and BSB team Rob Mac Yamaha announcing the capture of Michael Rutter and Graeme Gowland alongside Chris Walker, with Dan Linfoot riding for them in Brit Supersport.

Rutter brought his NW200 sponsorship with him so there aren't going to be any Ducatis in BSB next season

[patnicholls]

According to my reckoning, WSB looks something like this at present:

Xerox Ducati: Haga & Fabrizio
Sterilgarda Ducati: Alessandro Polita & Shakey Byrne
RG Ducati: Lorenzo Lanzi?
Guandalini Ducati: J. Smrz & Brendan Roberts
Ten Kate Honda: Kiyonari, C. Checa & Jonathan Rea
PBM Kawasaki - Tamada & Broc Parkes
DFX Ducati: Regis Laconi & Lorenzo Lanzi?
Squadra Corse Honda - Iannuzzo
Althea Honda: Tommy Hill
Pro Race Honda: Lavilla
Stiggy Honda: Leon Haslam & Roby Rolfo
Yamaha Italia: Tom Sykes & Ben Spies
YZF Yamaha: Katsuyuki Nakasuga
GMT94 Yamaha: D. Checa (Gimbert stays with the team, but only in enduro and French Superbikes)
Grillini Yamaha: Zaiser?
Alstare Suzuki: Neukirchner & Kagayama
Alstare Eng. Suzuki? - Nieto?
Celani Suzuki: Muggeridge
PSG1 Kawasaki: Badovini & Matteo Baiocco
Pedercini Kawasaki: David Salom and Luca Scassa
Aprilia: Biaggi & Nakano
BMW: Xaus & Corser

I count 32 confirmed riders there already plus a few more possibles (i.e Nieto, Lanzi, Zaiser are excluded from the 32).

[patnicholls]

And while we're at it, a half-complete WSS list with lots of gaps:

Ten Kate Honda - Sofuoglu & Pitt
Yamaha Supersport - Foret & Cal Crutchlow
Stiggy Honda - Antony West & Gianluca Vizzielo
Provec Motocard.com Kawasaki - Katsuaki Fujiwara & Joan Lascorz
Althea Honda - Aitchison & Lagrive
Parkalgar Honda - E. Laverty & Praia?
Veidec Honda (formerly Benjan) - Harms, Gundher, Vos
Intermoto Honda - ? & ?
Triumph BE1 - McCoy & Nannelli
Triumph SC?
Gil?
Glaner Honda?
Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha? - Roccolli?
Yamaha Spain
Hoegee Suzuki - Venemann & van Keymeulen?
Berry Honda?
HP Honda?
CRS Honda?
Factory Honda?
PMS Honda?
etc.

[Corny]

Yes Lorenzo with 99, because 48 was a number that had to do with his manager, and as he broke their relationship, he had to choose a new number..

[NinjaMaster]

Honda out of AMA too now.

Why the feck has nobody on here anything to say about this critical issue??????
Kawasaki also out. Perhaps AMA will become more like WSB with factory assisted teams rather than full blown factory teams.

Also, Tommy Bridewell to race FIM STK1000 and Italian Superstock.
http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2774

[patnicholls]

Autosport - not entirely sure on their accuracy regarding bike news - reckons Marco Simoncelli plans to race the first two rounds of WSB with Aprilia:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72566

Be interesting to compare he and Ruben Xaus's riding styles then, being they are both really tall.

[jonny hurlock]

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/172950-0/canepa_to_onde,_pramac_down_to_one?.html

Onde 2000 could be having Niccolo Canepa on their books too, because Pramac team could only afford one drive that will be kallio, because of no Alice sponsorship next year

[patnicholls]

BikeSport News reports that Jon Kirkham will take the Jentin Yamaha seat in BSB for 2009:

http://www.bikesportnews.com/articles/article.html?id=KIRKHAM_TAKES_JENTIN_YAMAHA_BSB_SE AT_1

Looking forward to seeing how that works out - Kirkham was a cut above the rest in the Yamaha R1 Cup and did well on a one-off BSB outing at the end of the year, and the Jentin squad are an excellent tight-knit squad who had a great 2008 with Simon Andrews (who's moved onto Kawasaki for 09).

[tha_jackal]

Hopkins To Join Stiggy Motorsports In World Superbikes?
Submitted by Kropotkin on Sun, 2009-02-01 22:28.

The MCN London Motorcycle Show at the ExCeL London exhibition center provides all the necessary ingredients for scandal and rumor: Over the course of four days, the motorcycling press, manufacturers, racers, teams and bikers are packed together with little more to do than gossip and gawp at bikes and biking celebrities.

So it is hardly surprising that along with the news emanating from the show comes the rumor that John Hopkins could be moving to World Superbikes. With the chances of a rescue package for Kawasaki in MotoGP fading every day, the American could end up riding a Honda alongside Leon Haslam for Stiggy Motorsports.

At the moment, that seat is held by Roberto Rolfo, but the Italian is still suffering from a fractured shoulder picked up early last year. Rolfo had decided not to have surgery to stabilize the shoulder, as any operation would have required a very lengthy period of physical rehabilitation, causing the Italian to miss most of the 2009 season. But after a difficult test at Portimao, where Rolfo didn't ride much, and only managed to finish second-from-last when he did, there is a good chance that he may be forced to change his mind about surgery.

This would leave the ride open for Hopkins, and as Rolfo brings with him a lot of personal sponsorship, any money that Hopper could bring would be more than welcomed by the Scandinavian team. With Hopkins' Monster sponsorship covering his salary, the American could effectively ride for Stiggy Motorsports for free. And with John Hopkins and Leon Haslam, both riders with proven talent, the team could well be a serious threat in the already crowded World Superbike championship.


http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/02/01/hopkins_to_join_stiggy_motorsports_in_wo.html

[NinjaMaster]

Clearly Hopper enjoyed Westy so much as a teammate that he's decided to team up with him again at Stiggy (albeit in different classes). ;)
Also, am I correct in believing that Leon Haslam also has a Monster Energy sponsorship of his helmet?

[Mach24]

Also, am I correct in believing that Leon Haslam also has a Monster Energy sponsorship of his helmet?

Both Haslam and HM Plant team mate Cal Crutchlow had Monster Energy sponsorship in BSB last year, both appear to have carried the dollars over to WSBK & WSS in 09'.

[tha_jackal]

Westy has retained his Monster sponsorship also..

Stiggy Monster Racing?

[NinjaMaster]

Monster certainly appear keen to spend some money in motorcycle racing which is nice to see after a few years of disappearing sponsorship $ from two-wheeled racing. I read somewhere rumours of them becoming involved with the Tech3 Yamaha team.

[ChrisS]

Monster certainly appear keen to spend some money in motorcycle racing which is nice to see after a few years of disappearing sponsorship $ from two-wheeled racing. I read somewhere rumours of them becoming involved with the Tech3 Yamaha team.

I think the Tech3 rumors were that Hopper would replace Edwards and take his monster sponsorship with him.

[NinjaMaster]

I think the Tech3 rumors were that Hopper would replace Edwards and take his monster sponsorship with him.
True but Rossi now having a personal sponsorship deal with them and the fact they also sponsor the Rinaldi Yamaha MX1 team also lends some weight to it. All will be revealed in good time I guess. Be nice to see Tech3 get a sponsor.

[ChrisS]

Speaking of Rossi's monster sponsorship. Looks like 2.5 mil euro doesn't buy you much ad space on Rossi's helmet, just a small m logo on the side of the visor and a logo at the front. Though Rossi drinking a monster energy drink before and after the race will be a much greater ad than the logos.

big pic, not dial up friendly
http://images.yamaha-racing.com/photo/high/P20090202120249421.jpg

[mx311]

Not really rumours but Fonsi Nieto will continue with the Alstare Suzuki team (but not with a factory bike) whilst Joan Olive will continue with the factory Derbi team in the 125 class. He joins Pol Espargaro and Efren Vazquez at Bainet Derbi.

[jonny hurlock]

note in this pic with the sepang test of caprirex, no rizla sponsorship, are they sponsoring suzuki this year? i know they not sponsoring suzuki in bsb this year, but not in motogp?

http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/2009/Loris+Capirossi+in+action+at+Sepang+test

[Corny]

still in talks is the last I've heard of it..

I hope not: suzuki's look far better without the Rizla sponsoring..

[Mach24]

still in talks is the last I've heard of it..

I hope not: suzuki's look far better without the Rizla sponsoring..

However without the Rizla cash perhaps there will be no Suzuki in MotoGP to look at......

[ChrisS]

However without the Rizla cash perhaps there will be no Suzuki in MotoGP to look at......

Rizla cash was never a big deal for Suzuki. Its believed that Rizla paid very little for the sponsorship, an amount that was more suited for Superbikes than MotoGP.

[The Phantom]

It's entirely possible that one of the conditions of the BSB Rizla sponsorship was a MotoGP option, whereby they got a bargain deal - I've read that many other teams were extremely unhappy about the Rizla deal as it devalued MotoGP sponsorship for every other team.

[ChrisS]

True but Rossi now having a personal sponsorship deal with them and the fact they also sponsor the Rinaldi Yamaha MX1 team also lends some weight to it. All will be revealed in good time I guess. Be nice to see Tech3 get a sponsor.

looking at the test pics I noticed Toseland now has Red Bull personal sponsorship so cant be riding a monster sponsored bike

http://resources.motogp.com/files/images/xy/2009/MotoGP/n496549_toseland.preview_big.jpg

[Roby44]

Troy Bayliss to trade bikes for new career in Supercars

By Mark Hinchliffe
February 19, 2009 Another motorcycle racer is planning a switch to four wheels.
Retired three-time World Superbike champion (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24451173-23770,00.html) and MotoGP race winner Troy Bayliss will test with a V8 Supercar team in May and has been invited to race in the Audi Star Series in Europe.
"Cars are something that I love and I've been watching the V8s for many years," Bayliss said in Brisbane.
He will not disclose the team he will test with until March 11, but he is now living on the Gold Coast so it is expected to be a southeast Queensland team, possibly Triple 8, which shares management links with Bayliss.
He follows world and American supercross champion Chad Reed of Newcastle, who has also tested with Triple 8 and Toyota's rally team and plans to go four-wheel racing in his retirement.
Bayliss said his commitments with Ducati as the current world champion meant he would have several overseas duties this year, but said it should leave him free for wildcard entries in V8 endurance events such as Bathurst or the Fujitsu development series.
"Bathurst would be good. I've done my time there on a bike. It would be my favourite place," he said.
Bayliss is hoping for a permanent driving post in 2010.
"I finished World Superbikes on top and in my heart I know I still have a lot of racing left in me," he said.
"I've done tests in a race car before and I know the V8s are quite hard to drive, but I know how to race. I just have to get used to four wheels.
"I'm under no illusions how difficult it will be. I've been thinking about this for a while so (racing) is not an easy thing to pack up and just stop."
Bayliss said he wasn't too old for a change of racing format.
"You don't have to be young. I feel at the top of my game at 39," he said.
"I tried to put a few kilos on at Christmas but I didn't sit well with it so I'm back in training again."
Bayliss ruled out a return to motorcycle racing and said that a challenge by MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi for a one-off race at Qatar had now lapsed (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,20797,24837155-23210,00.html)
"I won the last race in Valencia in MotoGP in 2006 and Valentino finds that a little hard to take," Bayliss said.
"My team has now been assigned to (Noriyuki) Haga and they can't just pull that team away from him now just before the season starts."
But Bayliss hasn't hung up his leathers entirely.
"It's that time of year when things start to click into gear so I'm starting to feel a little edgy," he said.
"I might do a test at Mugello on the superbike and GP bike just to keep my eye in, but I won't be an official test rider for Ducati."

[maxu05]

I heard that Sue Bird is really a guy, and shaves 3 times a day :s hock:

[maxu05]

There has got to be a bite soon, come on Matt, where are ya mate :laugh:

[mx311]

I heard that Sue Bird is really a guy, and shaves 3 times a day :s hock:
Oh dude, not cool, not cool at all. I mean c'mon, she's soooooo cute. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2847883418_677ffd1738_b.jpg

Anyway, I don't want to wonder off topic so I'll leave it there. ;)

[ChrisS]

It's now made official that Melandri will ride for "Dornasaki" in a single rider team

[jonny hurlock]

Oh dude, not cool, not cool at all. I mean c'mon, she's soooooo cute. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2847883418_677ffd1738_b.jpg

Anyway, I don't want to wonder off topic so I'll leave it there. ;)

who is she I want some more info?


It's now made official that Melandri will ride for "Dornasaki" in a single rider team

shame about hopper though, where will hopper go?

[Rod Richardson]

[quote="jonny hurlock"]who is she I want some more info?



I'd guess they are the daughters of Whoopie Goldberg and Nat King Cole..............Haven't a clue as to the identity of the white birds. :cheese:

[Corny]

Somehow I think it's good for Hopkins not to have a ride..

If there's a rider injured for few GPs, which happens every year, he's the ideal rider to replace him. I hope that somehow one top 3 bike will come free a few GPs (not that I wish a horrible crash to anyone) so Hopper can step in. Then we'll finally, after almost 10 seasons, be able to see what he can do on a good bike

[maxu05]

Oh dude, not cool, not cool at all. I mean c'mon, she's soooooo cute. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2847883418_677ffd1738_b.jpg

Anyway, I don't want to wonder off topic so I'll leave it there. ;)

Yeah, she's a hotty, but, I got a bite. Just making sure you are about Matt :cheese:

[ChrisS]

Monster energy is confirmed as Tech 3's title sponsor for the next 2 seasons

I wonder what will happen with Toseland's red bull personal sponsorship?