Printable View
There's still a lot of Ten Kate seats to decide, Jonny Rea and Kenan are the only ones confirmed so far.
I'm still sitting in abject horror at the rumour that Carlos Checa will be getting one of the WSB seats. Although I'm a total hypocrite as I rate Alex Barros but not Checa, even though their career results have been about the same :p
Ill take a stab at what i think the Ten Kate lineup will look like:
WSBK: Rolfo - Checa
WSBK(Satellite): Sofuoglu - Kiyonari
WSS: Rea - Pitt
Well, I thought the Ten Kate rides are pretty much sorted unless money (or egos) become a problem?Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
Hannspree WSBK - Rolfo & Sofuolgu
HRC WSBK - Kiyonari & Checa or Barros or Nakano (HRC's choice)
Hannspree WSS - Rea & Charpentier or Muggeridge
Remember, Charpentier has been injured all year and I think it's a bit harsh if he's given the flick after one injury plagued year, he is still a two time WSS champ. Muggas is also well loved by Ten Kate and would be an instant title contender if he drops back down. I've heard Pitty is close to (or has) signed with someone else (I've heard Virgin Yamaha in BSB).
As for the PSG-1 ride, well Alex Barros, Alex Hofmann and Shinya Nakano have been mentioned if Fonsi leaves. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
MotoGP meanwhile, it seems that Jorge Martinez Aspar has turned down the chance to enter MotoGP with Yamaha and Dunlop. It seems that Yamaha offered Aspar a fifth M-1 for the 2008 season to be run on Dunlops (with Tech3 going to whatever tyre brand the factory team is on) but Aspar said 'thanks but no thanks'. Jorge bascially said that he wants at least a three year deal with a manufacturer and enough time to set the team up properly, something that wasn't there with the Yamaha deal.
Apparently Pitt is Ten Kate's favourite to partner Kiyo but HRC want Checa. Hopefully having given Kiyo a ride (almost certainly at HRC's request), Ten Kate will insist on hiring Pitt. Checa would be a backward step as would Barros.
Pitt knows the circuits and was looking good until he got shafted by Yamaha.
It appears that Rolfo will leave Ten Kate to ride an Altea Honda with Hannspree sponsorship
http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/moto....htm?menu=news
the works yamaha team will be on michelin tyres next season, some good news for michelin
Agree that he's one of the top men in WSS, but he's been there an awfully long time now... as always, the balance must be found between experience and new blood.Quote:
Originally Posted by mx311
Any word on Curtain? It's fairly obvious he won't be back, but there's a lot of fans who'd just like to know that he's ok...
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~154421.htm
Dunlop are trying to bring tyre deals to LCR, Team KR, and the Konica Minolta team, for next season
I see Lorenzo has been 100% confirmed as Valentino's team mate for next year......... errrghhhhhhh.
Yeehaa!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
Hopefully Dunlop can find a couple of teams to team up with and remain in MotoGP. They are much improved this year and I hope they can continue that progression next year.
Word has it there will be an announcement on Monday confirming Alex de Angelis at Gresini in 2008.
Alex de Angelis has 125 race starts for 1 win!
Perhaps Fausto see's something I don't? However I think it is a good thing Gresini has not picked up one of the 'old guys' of GP.