You mean in with the JD and Coke.. :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
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You mean in with the JD and Coke.. :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
Found this little article stating Toseland's management are in discussion with Tech3 Yamaha for a MotoGP ride.
I like the last little quote which says he needs the right package.
TAKE A LOOK AT TECH3 RESULTS SINCE THEY MOVED TO MOTOGP.
Now tell me if this is the right package?
I am not JT but I would prefer to be in WSBK with a chance to win rather than in GP with a chance to not finish last.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/140620...gp-switch.html
Every week there are different rumours of who is talking to whom.
All I gather from that article is that Toseland's management have touched base with Tech3. I'm sure they would just find out what sort of package Tech3 will have next year as far and tires and support to just weigh up their options.
I read a magazine recently (of the tree-killing kind, yes they are still around, they aren't all on-line yet!) that had a pretty comprehensive list of silly season talk. Some of the main points:
- Edwards out at Yamaha and favoured to join KR, either in MotoGP or WSB
- Melandri disillusioned with Gresini and Honda is expected to leave with Suzuki a possible destination or Ducati if Capirossi leaves
- Suzuki to field at least one more bike through the Aspar team fielding Alex deAngeles or more likely Toni Elias as the plan is being pushed by Suzuki Spain. Kevin Schwantz will manage the team which may leave opportunity open to run a second bike with current AMA superbike champ Ben Spies
- D'Antin to keep Barros with Toseland and Capirossi other possibilities
- Ten Kate to join MotoGP if one of the Honda teams falters. This may be Gresini as they are apparently having problems within the team and also with sponsors
- Toseland and Dovizioso are main candidates for Ten Kate/Gresini seats
- Konica Minolta want to run a second bike next year
- Chris Vermeulen has the pick of a number of rides but is expected to stay with Suzuki
- John Hopkins to move to Kawasaki with his Monster money (interestingly, that article said Hopkins will move, not "likely" to move like other rumours). Also, that team green may run three bikes next year with Jorge and Chris the V contacted, but most likely Capirossi who apparently already has a contract on the table to join incumbent RdP.
- Finally, depending on where you read it, Lorenzo either has already signed a contract to join Yamaha next year or Rossi has blocked a move by Yamaha to try to sign him.
Phew!!! Well, if this is the way the silly season is now, imagine how nuts it will be by seasons end!
Thatll keep the rumour urges at bay, at least for a while! :D And your damn right, imagine what its going to be like towards the end of the year! Especially with a few new teams rumoured to be joining ranks..
Just so that WSB doesn't miss out on all the rumour talk, there may be a US round next year.
http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamn...780.xml&coll=2
Suzi Perry and Charlie Cox were talking in the BBC Moto gp programme a few months back (maybe at le mans) sas Rossi will have his own one bike team (like in 2000/01 seasons) with Lorenzo and Edwards in the other team (works yamaha team)?Quote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
Hmm, thats about right, minus Edwards :D I heard Rossi and Lorenzo will each have their own one bike teams in 08 (FIAT Yamaha/Fortuna Yamaha) in order to nip potential friction and ego clashing in the bud..Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny hurlock
If you ask me, Id love to see Lorenzo and Rossi sharing a garage, imagine the conflict/tension! Rossi just has too much influence with Yammy im afraid (hence Edwards even riding this year.)
this could be yamaha's new line for next year what I heard off from the BBC
rossi will be teaming up with Chris Vermeulen! in the works team
lorenzo will have his own team
edwards and some else to team up with tech 3
5 yamaha bikes
Eurosport had the same story about Yamahas and with the same riders mentioned as possibles. You'd think Sylvain Guintoli would stay at Tech 3, he's having a quietly impressive season on such uncompetitive tyres.
Other rumours doing the rounds include:
Dovi to D'Antin Ducati?
Alex de Angelis to Suzuki/Gresini Honda?
JT to Suzuki?
Toni Elias to a Kevin Schwantz/Jorge Martinez-run Suzuki team?
etc...
we can't know if the dunlops are uncompetitive! Put a good rider on the dunlops, and we all know where they areQuote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
his done a better job than Tadama imo. also, he should be in tech 3 for next season imo.Quote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
Dovi to D'Antin was a bit of a intresting choice to hear.
Well, Tamada won two races in 2004 (on Bridgestones) and in the second half of that season was as strong as anyone. He really looked set to take the title fight to Rossi until he got on Michelins and it all went wrong. He's also won three World Superbike races as a wildcard in the past, so is no slouch! Guintoli, as the top privateer in 250s last year but not near the front of races overall, wasn't really expected to do anything this year but he's been a very pleasant surprise imho.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corny
Dunlop have their moments, but overall are some way behind Michelin and Bridgestone (as is attested to by the tyre limiting rules for M and B). At Donington, their rain tyre was woeful - both riders were nine seconds a lap off the pace and were lapped twice. They also suffer (in terms of the big class) by supplying the entire 250 and 125 field with their tyres. It would be nice if they were more competitive, but at present they aren't.
Tamada is a good rider yes, I know, if he's got the right package for him (bridgestone), which he hasn't got right now..Quote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
Guintoli had to start from 0 this year, so it's a bit easier for him maybe
I'm sure the dunlops are not that good, but with a real top rider (Burgess tried to get Casey on the Dunlop Yamaha didn't he?) like Casey they could be a lot closer to the front..
Tamada WILL be gone at the end of the year. He's being outshone and outclassed by a rookie former 250 privateer.. Sorry, there's no excuses, he's just plain average at the moment and Guintoli (who i rate) is doing superbly.. A good rider has to be able to adapt, Makoto cant, so hes gone..
the main problem with the Dunlop tyres as I understand it is that the race tyres are worn out after just a few laps.
The tyres are still inferior to Michelin and Bridgestone but at the first 4-5 laps of each race the Tech3 bikes are able to keep up with the rest but after their tyres are gone they just drop to the back
Any word on Spies getting a shot at Mot GP ?
From what I've read somewhere, Spies may be lined up for a MotoGP wildcard later this season. But the problem with this is that Suzuki's wildcards have supposedly already been determined for the year. The other option was to set up a test for Spies. Whether any of this is the case or not, IMO Suzuki would be unwise not to line up some kind of a test/wildcard for Spies in the very near future.
Spies is obviously a talent, however going from Superbike to MotoGP is not a walk in the park - very few have been able to really make it work. Especially since the move to 800s, where corner speed has become even more critical to good laptimes.
For every Spies there are two 250GP guys who could also potentially do the job. It will take a sponsor/factory looking to raise their profile in the US to sign him.
I think he should go to WSB, they need more Americans. Already 4/5 of 'em (not sure if Junior is completely out) in MotoGP.
Welcome, Dr Gellar : )
Giving Spies a wildcard ride at any track other than Laguna will mean he will finish last probably a long way behind everyone else if he manages to keep the bike upright.
Also as Phantom said there are 250GP guys (and also World SBK and BSB guys) that could do the job better. He is doing well in AMA but the truth is AMA is an one team championship with only Spies and Mladin having race winning bikes, if Spies wants to move up in the motorcycle racing world he should take a risk and move to World SBK
I dont know if this deserved a new topic, Bayliss says he'd like to win the title on the 1098 and then retire
http://superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jul/070717v.htm
Nah its fine here :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisS
I think its great TB wants to stick around. He'll keep showing the young upstarts how its done, especially when he gets his hands on the 1098 ;) Gooo Troy .
Thank you for the welcome. It's great to finally be part of this forum.
Regarding Ben Spies and MotoGP, a feel he at least deserves a shot at a test. He's currently the best young racing talent here in the U.S. (my opinion), the defending AMA Superbike champ and possibly a back-to-back Superbike champ (if he can hold off Mat Mladin...which will be difficult at best). I'd just like to see what he is capable of. Given a test or two to get comfortable on a Suzuki MotoGP bike, I doubt he'd finish way behind everyone else. Maybe not top 10, but definitely not last.
Spies could go to World Superbike. But I don't know...I think if he can beat Mladin this year again, he proves what he can do on a Superbike.
Yes, having a sponsor with him would help to get a MotoGP ride. We'll see if that ever happens. I was hoping Spies would have been part of a Suzuki satellite team for '08 that was rumored earlier this year (Alstare, Aspar...take your pick) but looks unlikely now. After all, I believe MotoGP could use an increase on riders and teams on the gird, but that's another story.
I agree with you guys about some 250GP riders that could be just as good as Spies. Their knowledge of the tracks on the MotoGP alone gives them some advantage. Nonetheless, I am excited to see what Lorenzo, Dovisioso, and De Angelis, to name a few, can do when/if they get to the big show.
Well here's what we know about MotoGP season 2008.
Repsol Honda - Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa
Marlboro Ducati - Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri
Fiat / Fortuna Yamaha - Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo
Then on top of that Gresini are currently deciding between Toni Elias, Alex de Angeles, Andrea Dovizioso and James Toseland.
D'Antin Ducati have Alex Barros, Alex Hoffman, James Toseland and Toni Elias on speed dial.
Suzuki look like they want Chris Vermuelen and Loris Capirossi for next year, whether they get them both is in the air.
Kawasaki have John Hopkins and are chasing Loris Capirossi. Randy de Puniet may well stay there alongside is Capirex choses Suzuki.
Konica Minolta want two bikes next year. Shinya Nakano and James Toseland were said to be the riders but if they get two bikes the other one will probably be ridden by whoever Honda need to place so that could be Elias, Dovizioso etc.
Tech3 will keep Sylvain Guintoli (if he doesn't get a better offer) and their second rider will probably be the best guy left without a ride, ie Colin Edwards, Ant West etc.
Anyone else? Oh if their is a Aspar Suzuki team then Toni Elias or Alex de Angeles should be their top picks.
Great to see you back Matt!
Agreed - if you can beat Mladin on a Superbike you can probably run at the front of a WSB field with the right bike.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Gellar
Umm, ive heard Kawasaki are likely to run three bikes next year, so if Capirossi is going to Suzuki, then a likely Kawasaki three rider team would be Hopkins, DePuniet and West? No?Quote:
Originally Posted by mx311
Also, I think Ant has a great chance to show Randy up for the remainder of this year. Hes adapted very well to the Ninja and will only get quicker, (bar Laguna, as he doesnt know it) i think he's been impressive (watch out for him at Misano, where he won in WSS)..
Matt, its amazing how Ant's fortunes have changed since the last time you were around, what are your thoughts?
Cheers.
I wouldn't go as far as saying Kwak are likely to run three bikes but are considering it. Kawasaki ran three bikes in WSB and found it logistically too difficult so I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to stick with 2 factory bikes unless they can find someone willing to run a satellite team. Maybe Aspar if Zook can't come to the party?
As far as I can gather, this is what 2008 is looking like so far:
confirmed, likely
Repsol Honda: Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa
Gresini Honda: Andreas Dovizioso, James Toseland, Alex de Angeles
LCR: Carlos Chucka
JiR: Shinya Nakano
Fiat Yamaha: Valentino Rossi
Fortuna Yamaha: Jorge Lorenzo
Tech3 Yamaha: Colin Edwards, James Toseland, Sylvain Guintoli, Ant West
Rizla Suzuki: Chris Vermeulen, Loris Capirossi
Aspar Suzuki: Toni Elias, Ben Spies, Alex de Angeles
Monster Kawasaki: John Hopkins, Randy de Puniet, Ant West, Roger-Lee Hayden, Alex de Angeles
Ducati Corse: Casey Stoner, Marco Melandri
D'Antin Ducati: Alex Barros, Alex Hoffman, Sylvain Guintoli, Ant West, Andreas Dovizioso, Alex de Angeles
Pretty close i rekon, ill add some stuff..
LCR: Carlos Chucka, Ant West (Cecchinello wanted Ant for 250s in 2006, but he ended up moving all the resources of the team to GP with Stoner after Pons' team folded (Stoners option at that time.))
Rizla Suzuki: Chris Vermeulen, Loris Capirossi, Ben Spies
Aspar Suzuki: Toni Elias, Ben Spies, Alex de Angeles (team unlikely, more like 2009)
Monster Kawasaki: John Hopkins, Randy de Puniet, Ant West, Roger-Lee Hayden, Alex de Angeles, Loris Capirossi
Ducati Corse: Casey Stoner, Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi (third bike)
There is a lot of 'third bike' talk (Ducati, Suzuki, Kawasaki) - is this down to the field being a teeny bit thin at 19 this year after Ilmor's departure and with the possible/probable departure of Team Roberts? (although Dorna want them in)
Let's hope they come to fruition, more competitive bikes is good. And the grids this year have been very close, with even Tech 3 in the mix more than I thought they would on the grid at least.
The Kawasaki one is a tough one - Randy has been very fast, particularly in qualifying, but has started crashing a little too much. Roger Lee put himself in the frame too but is probably an outsider - another season of AMA maybe. Ant is going well too, pretty consistant. Although if he hadn't gone off track at Donington in the wet, could have been a lot higher.
Certainly this weekend's chat puts Capirossi either staying at Ducati on a third bike or Suzuki rather than Team Green.
There is always talk of more bikes on the grid and it almost never happens. Why? Because the factory teams really struggle to run more that two bikes. Ever heard the old saying, "it takes four times the work to run two bikes, it takes ten times the work to run three."Quote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
Team Roberts is interesting, from what I've heard if Gresini leave Honda then their two bikes will be offered to JiR and Team KR. I've also heard Team KR linked with running Kawasaki's. It would be a shame to lose them altogether. Running a customer bike may be the way to go. Shame though after last years performances.
Well from what I've heard if the Monster deal comes off then they have the say on who rides the Green (and black) machines in '08, so that's a big hello to Roger-Lee Hayden as Monster want two Americans. If Kawasaki are left to choose then I think failing signing a 'big name' rider then they'll stick with RdP, simply because they invested a lot in him. Again the old saying goes, "you can teach a fast rider to stop crashing".Quote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
Just want to start off by saying I love reading your posts. Great stuff!Quote:
Originally Posted by mx311
I wish I'd seen this before I had replied to a post of yours on another thread. I'm surprised to hear that KR could run Kawasaki's next year. That's good news, if for no other reason than that it shows there is plenty of interest in the KR effort. I'd read somewhere that Ducati is also interested in the KR engine situation for next season. If the Kawasaki rumor were to pan out, would it actually be customer bikes, rather than just engines??
I will say it too, please post more!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Gellar
I love reading matt's posts to, for a laugh :D Coz i know from experience that probably half (maybe more) of them never come anywhere near to fruition.. Still great to read what is possibly in the works.. Keep it up :up:
Just read a bit more speculation.
Apparently Loris has signed a 1 year deal to ride for Suzuki next year.
Alex de Angeles says he is 99 percent sure of being in MotoGP next year, likely with D'Antin.
It seemed universally believed that Lorenzo would be run in a separate Yamaha team to Rossi. However Davide Brivio has stated that this isn't possible so it looks like they will be teammates after all.
Kawasaki seem particularly up-in-the-air. As Matt mentioned, R.L. Hayden is apparently a big show due to sponsorship and was told that he needed to impress at Laguna for his chance, which he did. Edwards is also on Kawasaki's list due to his experience but he's likely for Tech3 with Michelins.
De Angelis???? WTF? Waste of time IMHO. As for Lorenzo, the rumors are all over the place. There still is a belief that Yamaha may run a fully backed 1 bike team effort for Lorenzo....... now if thats not a pointer to no-one wanting to ride with him, then i don't know what is!!Quote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
I kinda understand where you're coming from osg but think you're perhaps a little harsh. Yes, he only has one race win in 123(?) starts even with some real top equipment but he has really matured a lot in the last couple of years and is putting in some real solid results. I kinda see him as like a Nicky Hayden, just lacking that extra edge for consistent race wins which is what would keep him out of a real top MotoGP ride.
According to MCN (take it or leave it :p ) Carlos Checa has been offered a role as a full time Ducati test rider for 2008, replacing Itoh. It is believed Checa is likely to take this job as his career is 'winding down'..
That leaves the LCR seat free and it is believed Dovizioso's wage demands are two expensive for Cecchinello's outfit which leaves him in discussion with more 'affordable' riders; (i.e Randy DePuniet) I think Ant West would be the most affordable rider in the paddock and he'd give you damn good value for money! ;)
Furthermore, Ben Spies to Suzuki GP in 2009 is 'a done deal' according to the man himself, he will also ride several wildcard races next year (likely to be the US rounds and Valencia) .. Colin Edwards will not know his future with Yamaha and in MotoGP until after Brno and Livio Suppo belives its highly likely Loris Capirossi will leave Ducati in 2008 and the option of a third bike will only be run if Capirossi is riding it..
Again, this is MCN reporting, so take it on what it's face value as british rumour and pure speculation..
some World Superbike rumours also from MCN, World SBK will race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah in 2008
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp.../?&R=EPI-93022
superbikeplanet.com throws out an interesting theory on the Yamaha line-up, saying a possibility could be a Rossi one-man team on Bridgestones.......Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
this rumour is noot even remotely accurate. wsbk is negotiating with barber motorsports park for the usa round, not miller.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisS