Rumour Mill 09/10

The last two years of Edwards at Yamaha Factory were when the bike was not on form. So it's difficult to judge whether or not he should have won at least a race. Rossi could not retain the title for two years at that time. The situation might be different whether he rode for his own favor or as far as possible to play supportive role on Rossi, than today that enable two riders have the same opportunity to perform development and deserve the same support from the team.

His current team although Yamaha claimed they gave the same spec of bike to all team they supplied, it's open secret that main parts will always go to the factory team besides more development immensely carried out. Edwards in many occasions outperforms his teammate, this may indicate that he is fairly good. At the end if we have to compare the strength I get feeling that Lorenzo is better.

I was a bit down on Colin during his time at Gresini and particularly at Fiat Yamaha, but he was clearly the second rider on those bikes (with hindsight) and has been able to grab the clear advantage over James this year at Tech 3 which has restored his reputation. You could argue that the crew-chief swap completely backfired on James - Guy Coulon being the one with the greater reputation as far as I'm aware.

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In other news, the official MotoGP site is reporting that Hiro Aoyama will be in the main class next year on a team being started by Daniel Epp (who runs Thomas Luthi's 250 team, I think), on a Honda obviously.

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And, the Moto2 teams list has been published:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/moto2+announcement

...with 39 seats up for grabs!

The ONDE 2000 project with Sete Gibernau is over, or wil they come back, maybe with a different rider?

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Originally Posted by NinjaMaster

I think it's a good move Leopard, regardless of whether he wins WSB or not, similar to Vermeulen a few years ago. He now has the stability of a guaranteed 2 years with Yamaha in MotoGP with which to learn and test himself. I really hope he has the goods to be competitive at the pointy end.

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It's preferable to leave the series in happy ending, the probability stands for nearly fifty-fifty for both Ben and Nori. This year is one of seasons exciting where the last round will decide the winner.

From last year's result Ducati was strong at Portimao, Yamaha riders Corser finished couple distances behind Ducati riders while Haga was struggling. It looks the track didn't suit Haga situation which Ben seems to take advantage from his cleverness illustrating to ride at any track totally new.

However the strength of Ducati may favor Haga to fix his last year's problem and chase the title after winning the race.

Let's wait.

Kawasaki have had a fairly lean period on the tarmac over recent years but off the beaten track things have been far more successful. To continue this trend, Monster Kawasaki look like running a fairly solid lineup of Chad Reed and Ryan Vilopoto in AMA Motocross and Supercross next year. Love it! :up:

http://www.mxlarge.com/news/2855-cha...nergy-kawasaki

http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/featur...,20941/GuyB,64

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam have been confirmed at Suzuki Alstare in 2010.

Yep, WSB is coming together with Haslam and Guintoli to Alstare Suzuki after Max Neukirchner has been sacked.

Neukirchner looks to be going to Ten Kate to partner Jonathan Rea (great lineup), leaving Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari out of rides.

Yukio Kagayama will return to Britain to take Guintoli's place at Crescent Suzuki - a seat he held in 2003/4.

Tom Sykes will be partnering Chris Vermeulen at Paul Bird's WSB Kawasaki squad, and Birdy says he's possibly hoping to run a bike in BSB and British Supersport as well.

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Originally Posted by patnicholls

Yep, WSB is coming together with Haslam and Guintoli to Alstare Suzuki after Max Neukirchner has been sacked.

Neukirchner looks to be going to Ten Kate to partner Jonathan Rea (great lineup), leaving Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari out of rides.

Yukio Kagayama will return to Britain to take Guintoli's place at Crescent Suzuki - a seat he held in 2003/4.

Tom Sykes will be partnering Chris Vermeulen at Paul Bird's WSB Kawasaki squad, and Birdy says he's possibly hoping to run a bike in BSB and British Supersport as well.

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It is a great lineup but I reckon all the Japanese manufacturers have great lineups.
Ten Kate Honda - Jonathon Rea, Max Neukirchner
Yamaha WSB - James Toseland, Cal Crutchlow
Alstare Suzuki - Silvain Guintoli, Leon Haslam
PBR Kawasaki - Chris Vermeulen, Tom Sykes

The Euro brands are also strong with Ducati (as always) the pick of them.
Xerox Ducati - Nori Haga, Michel Fabrizio
WSB Aprilia - Max Biaggi, Shinya Nakano(?)
BMW Motorrad - Troy Corser, Ruben Xaus

Is it possible that next year could be even better than this year? I hope so!

True, you've gotta think that Xerox Duc, the Yamahas and Ten Kate will consider themselves title contenders with Suzuki, Biaggi + 1 and the Kawasakis and BMWs being dark horses by comparison but still podium threats on their day.

It certainly does look very strong again. Factor in a some quick private Ducatis and a rumoured second Aprilia team (for Shakey and Leon Camier) and things are just as good as this year already.

Carlos Checa to ride in WSBK for Althea Ducati in 2010. Second rider not yet named.
Commentators at MotoGP practice at Phillip Island were talking about Camier going to Moto2..............can't see it myself. I thought the deal with Yamaha Tech 3 was done and dusted.