Sounds good to me! indy is a bit lame as a bike track IMO as the whole point of going to indy is to use the banking!
Map of the new track at Austin.
http://autoweek.com/storyimage/CW/20...inTrackMap.jpg
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Sounds good to me! indy is a bit lame as a bike track IMO as the whole point of going to indy is to use the banking!
Map of the new track at Austin.
http://autoweek.com/storyimage/CW/20...inTrackMap.jpg
I prefer Indy than Austin imho, anyway good luck to themQuote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
bring this thread back up the list, anyway Honda could be having only 4 bikes next season. A strong Possibility that nether Dovizioso and Simoncelli won't be on a HRC next year
Honda unlikely to retain Dovizioso and Simoncelli as it reduces budget - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com
bring this thread back up the list, anyway Honda could be having only 4 bikes next season. A strong Possibility that nether Dovizioso and Simoncelli won't be on a HRC next year
Honda unlikely to retain Dovizioso and Simoncelli as it reduces budget - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com
That puts a bit of a hole in the grid if that happens. Be a couple of good options for Suzuki available if Team Zook continue on next year (fingers crossed!).Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny hurlock
I would suggest that perhaps Hopkins might be on a Suzuki next year. Depending on if Monster are still wanting to be helpful finance wise, the noises are there with wild cards etc this year, and Samsung is basically Dennings team anyway.
I would imagine Aoyama will make way for Dovi, but will Dovi and Sic both have factory bikes? I doubt it, depends what Repsol do with their 1000's. I guess Sic and Dovi could have this years 800's?
Elias will obviously be gone, replaced I reckon by De Puniet again? I can see perhaps Bradl, Marques, Redding, Haslam, Iannone coming over in the new class for buy in bikes. I think there will be no Elias, Aoyama maybe LCR, Capirossi (who would want to ride for Pramac anyway) perhaps even Edwardsm get Laverty on it!!
I would suggest that perhaps Hopkins might be on a Suzuki next year. Depending on if Monster are still wanting to be helpful finance wise, the noises are there with wild cards etc this year, and Samsung is basically Dennings team anyway.
I would imagine Aoyama will make way for Dovi, but will Dovi and Sic both have factory bikes? I doubt it, depends what Repsol do with their 1000's. I guess Sic and Dovi could have this years 800's?
Elias will obviously be gone, replaced I reckon by De Puniet again? I can see perhaps Bradl, Marques, Redding, Haslam, Iannone coming over in the new class for buy in bikes. I think there will be no Elias, Aoyama maybe LCR, Capirossi (who would want to ride for Pramac anyway) perhaps even Edwardsm get Laverty on it!!
It would be great if Suzuki came back again with two bikes next year. They would be better chasing Dovizioso than Hopkins though imo.Quote:
Originally Posted by chunder27
According to that Autosport article then there will only be two factory Hondas (Stoner, Pedrosa) so Dovi and Sic would have satellite bikes and either Gresini becomes a one bike team or LCR disappear which is a shame. There also seems to be significant rumour of Simoncelli alongside his mate Vale on a thrid factory Ducati, funded by Phillip Morris (so plausible).
I think Capirossi will retire but Edwards may well go round one more time, especially for Yamaha development and to continue mentoring young Cal.
As for who else will fill the grid with Pramac and the CRT bikes is anyones guess. I just hope the CRTs aren't an embarrassing way to fill the grid.
interesting rumour (in MCN newspaper this week) that Valentino Rossi could leave Ducati at the end of this season. Go to Honda have his own team what I've read.
Also Andrea Dovizioso, could be going on a LCR Honda next season as-well.
I'd be surprised if Valentino was on anything but a Ducati next year. Firstly, he's said he will be on a Ducati next year (Rossi staying with Ducati for 2012 - Motorcycle racing news: Moto GP - Visordown). Secondly, I can't see any reason Honda would want him when they already have Pedrosa and Stoner as contenders and he definately won't be riding a satellite bike. If he went anywhere it would be good to see him land at Suzuki but I think he will really want to make the Ducati work rather than admit defeat and walk away.Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny hurlock
Erm Yamaha are pulling out of WSB as an official team...
Yamaha pulls out of WSB - News | Motorcycle Sport | WSB Results | World Supersport | MCN
WTF!
Well......that's a pity.......so where will Melandri and Laverty go from here.........I reckon the best bets at this stage would be Tenkate/Castrol Honda in place of Xaus and Kawasaki if Chris Vermeulen's condition doesn't improve...........
Regardless, with Melandri and Laverty available, riders in other teams will be under pressure to up their performance for the rest of the season.
I wonder what's going through Biaggi's mind right now......would be great to see Melandri on an Aprilia.
Yep, sadly saw this this afternoon - pretty gutted for Marco, Eugene and the (Belgarda) team members who clearly didn't know what was coming (the *team* re-signed Marco recently with Eugene set to follow, but Yamaha Europe shut down the operation).
There is a possibility the bikes may get picked up (by, say, the Parkingo team currently leading WSS or the current team with private backing), but troubling times ahead.
WSB has to cut costs and veer away from the near-prototype route it's currently involved in. Anyone reading Dennis Noyes or Julian Ryder's tweets - along with anything from Motomatters - has the right idea.
Shame to see Belgarda Yamaha go, especially as they were technically the defending series champion just last year.
Rod mentioned Vermuelen as a further potential casualty of changes to come - I'm afraid that is likely to be the case, his career is truly in dire straights at the moment.
Finally, good news for MotoGP with HRC Vice President, Shuei Nakamoto announcing that Honda will field 6 bikes next year:Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny hurlock
The HRC Vice President then confirmed that there will be six Hondas on track in 2012.
"The bikes will all be equal to start the year, aside from the transmission. The satellite teams that want to use the new gearbox must pay for it separately; it's very expensive, and costs more than the house I live in! The design isn't relevant for use on production bikes, however, since it's only designed to work at very high revs. It wouldn't be useful on the street. Honda will not be selling engines alone, only complete bikes."
GPOne
I like your thought's on Melandri at Aprilia but Biaggi is still running 2nd and I really hope they persist with Camier who is a very talented rider. I sadly have to agree with you on Vermeulen. I still think he's talented and skillful enough to be in WSB but injury has crueled him this last two years. Would love to see him on a two-rider Yoshimura Suzuki team with Josh Waters. Eugene joining Rea at Ten Kate would be spectacular and I'd be chuffed to see Marco on a green machine (his Kawasaki outing last time was black).Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod Richardson
Dunno about ParkinGo. On one hand, Guiliano Rovelli (ParkinGo team principle) says they want to go WSB next year and Yamaha is an option if they have the resources.Quote:
Originally Posted by patnicholls
But then in another article he says that they will not be with Yamaha next year. BE1 has been listed as an option but whatever happens, hopefully someone can take over the reigns (I'd love to see Francis Batta get the gig).
Also, Kawasaki's superbike contract is up for renewal too with the Pedercini and Motocard.com teams also interested but I'd be amazed if Paul Bird lost the contract.
100% agree about the need for cost cutting. They have announced that their attempt to reduce costs is only allow each rider one bike. That works fine for supersport who only have one race. I became convinced that WSB needed to 'dumb down' the spec of the bikes when I heard that either Haga or Fabrizio perferred to use MotoGP spec forks in their Ducati whilst the other one preferred the WSB spec forks. That coupled with Rossi testing the R1 and announcing that it was by no means a production bike but a prototype racer and I think the WSB has lost sight of what it is really about and is in danger of again 'outgrowing' itself.
WSB is going to have a very interesting silly season I think.
Hmmm, seems Dorna is to acquire WSB. Hopefully this can be positive.
bad news for PBM and Tom Sykes:
Kawasaki to drop PBM, Sykes for 2012 | WSBK News | Sep 2011 | Crash.Net
they even started winning too.
In a follow-up article on Crash.net they said that Sykes hasn't been given his marching orders from Kawasaki (only PBM) and the he and the big K would like to continue together. Hope it works out as he's done a power of development work for them. I'd assume that Motocard will step up and get the Green WSB team contract, apparently with closer factory involvement, and that PBM probably lost the contract due to the drugs/guns scandal earlier this year. Stuart Easton should be riding for Bird next year too, wherever that may be.Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny hurlock
BMW has re-signed Haslam for 2012 with his teammate to be announced at a later date. I'd figure on Corser being out and replaced with either Badovini or an ex-GP rider.
Also, Rossi and Ducati just completed a test at Mugello with lots of talk that they ran an aluminium twin-spar frame. Interesting times ahead for them.
Toni Elias to test BMW Italia at Misano | WSBK News | Sep 2011 | Crash.Net
Elias could be going to SBK next season with this news.
Ive read on another forum that despite huge crowds the Sachsenring has been dropped from the 2012 Moto Gp calendar due to financial issues :(
Nurburgring next season?Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
Sachsenring out, Argentina in it seems:Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
motogp.com ยท MotoGP to return to Argentina in 2013
Sucks that Sachsenring can draw a raceday crowd of 130,000 and can't be financially viable. Something seriously wrong there.
Toni the Tiger (Turtle?) tested the BMW Italia superbike today with a chance to ride it next year (hope so, he'd be good).
Yoshimura Suzuki will race the final round of WSB at Portimao this year with Josh Waters aboard again.
The word on the Sachsenring is that Dorna wanted to up the sanctioning fee by 100% and the ADAC - who run the race - (understandably) said no. Some pocket-lining going on on someone's behalf - it's unbelievable that the Sachsenring has been a sell-out since 1998 and is making a loss.
Hopper or De Puniet at LCR next year?
LCR Honda confirm Hopkins and de Puniet talks - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN
Also Gresini, could have a 1000cc Works Honda and a 800cc Honda for half the price in MCN newspaper this week.
Really hope DePuniet gets his old seat back at LCR, was a travesty it was taken off him in the first place for Elias. Speaking of travesties, that Sachsenring could lose it's round of MotoGP because it's not financially viable after attacting 130,000 spectators on race day alone is a joke but I'm far from laughing.
Simoncelli got a works honda at Gresini in 2012. Honda found some more money.
Simoncelli stays with Gresini, gets factory Honda | MotoGP News | Sep 2011 | Crash.Net
Paul Birds team in MotoGP, you having a laugh
MotoGP bosses keen to secure Paul Bird entry for 2012 - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN
BSB yes, SBK yes, MotoGP no, can't see it
What new teams are coming to MotoGP and which riders are confirmed for 2012?
Yamaha Factory Racing: Lorenzo / Spies
Monster Tech 3 Yamaha: Crutchlow / Dovizioso
Repsol Honda Team: Stoner / Pedrosa
San Carlo Honda Gresini: Simoncelli (factory bike)/ ??
LCR Honda MotoGP: De Puniet / Hopper ??
Ducati Team: Rossi / Hayden
Cardion AB Motorracing: Abraham
Pramac Racing Team: ??
Mapfre Aspar: Barbera
Rizzla Suzuki ?: ?
Marquez should definitely move up to Moto GP, he has nothing more to prove in lower classes. I also think it could be "now or never" for Bradl to get a good Moto GP ride. It will be difficult to replicate a season like that for him, so he should try to move up.
Interesting, who will join Pramac. Looks like both riders are leaving and the vacant places are not particularly attractive, having been the worst team in MGP this season. Perhaps Bautista will race a Ducati if Suzuki pulls out? He doesn't seem to have many other options sadly.
I think Dovizioso at Tech3 will be a good fit for both sides. Tech3 will get a good experienced lead rider, who can score consistently good points, after the departure of Edwards. Dovi can try to rebuild his career. There are so many riders coming up at Honda (like Marquez) that he won't have a shot at a factory bike any more in the future, but with a different manufacturer he could still make it.
Crutchlow will have real pressure in 2012 - very tough task of beating Dovi if he wants to retain his seat or inevitably he will have to make way to Smith.
look almost signed and sealed
Dovizioso
Marques backed Moto2 squad had asked to reserve an RC213V 1000cc machine, if he wants to jump up into MotoGP next season, I heard Bradl might not come up due to sponsorship problemsQuote:
Originally Posted by jens
Leon Camier at Crescent next season, who his team mate I wonder?
Leon Camier signs for Crescent Suzuki | WSBK News | Nov 2011 | Crash.Net
That's good news for Camier. He's shown in bits that the potential is there and he's talented enough to belong in WSB. His likely teammate would appear to be between John Hopkins and Tommy Hill.
Reports have been saying that Chaz Davies and his team are headed for WSB in 2012 with Ducati and whilst they are indeed stepping up from WSS with an Italian bike, they have been testing Aprilia RSV4's not Ducati's. Perhaps the first sign of expanded factory support from the new one bike rule in WSB?
More than likely Suzuki staying for 2012, possibly one bike team, 800cc bike for the start of the season switching over 1000cc in the middle of the season:
Suzuki poised to confirm 2012 MotoGP deal - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN
Bautista possibly staying if not LCR Honda team
if a second rider, Hopper could be the second rider
Apparently Andrea Iannone is to get the vacant ride at Gresini but the factory bike is likely to go to LCR and be piloted by RDP now that Bautista would stay with the all-but-certain to return Suzuki MotoGP team.
Hector Barbera joins Pramac Ducati - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN
the worse kept secret of the season
Kenan Sofuoglu is heading back to WSS (unfortunately in my opinion, shame to bail on Moto2 after only one season). He will join Kawasakis new WSS 'factory' team, Lorenzini by Leoni, alongside South African rider, Sheridan Morais.
So Tony Elias is the MotoGP yo-yo , up and down, up and down at Aspar on a Moto2 bike!?!
Aspar: Elias And Terol Confirmed In Moto2, Espargaro And De Puniet Options In MotoGP | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks
and Randy de Puniet on an Aspar Aprillia CRT bike next season?
btw what's going on with Marc VDS CRT next season seen Mika Kaillo driving the Suter BMW bike early on the season in testing, no news recently?
Hoppers on a Crescent Suzuki in SBK next season, possibly on bike #21 (is bike #21 retired in SBK?)
Hopkins Confirmed With Suzuki In World Superbikes, Could Run #21 | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks