Ducati Monster Forum

It started early this year with MM resigning with HRC (duh!). I would be very surprised if Pedrosa did not get renewed as well.

Rossi has already stated that he wants to race for another 2 years, similarly to what he did 2 years ago. MV should also stay put, he dominated the first quarter of the season last year, even if he didn't finish so hot.

I almost guarantee Dovi will keep his seat, but Jorghey needs to show results ASAP. Ducati will likely tell Dovi that he has a guarantee contract, but will wait until they see his teammates results before presenting it. At least that's what I would do.

If Jorghey gets the boot, then that will be a huge blow to his ego. His riding style should fit pretty well in Suzuki, who will be very happy to attract him. It would be cool to see how Demented Joseph would play nice with Jorghey.

KTM is somewhat of a wildcard since they seem committed to improving quicker than any other factory in recent years. Based on the article posted in the "News" thread, Zarco would be a prime candidate to move into a KTM seat, maybe demoting either Smith or Pol back to Tech3.

I don't think You'reghey will get booted. He will be asked to take a huge pay cut, which he'll refuse, and then he'll go on his own.

That leaves room for Petrucci on the factory team. ;D

LIKE!  [thumbsup]

I forgot to mention Aprilia will continue to be the second class factory team.

MV signed for '19 & '20 at the Movistar Yamaha Team presentation ~ a month and a half ago.
Pecco Bagnaia is signed at Pramac '19 & '20, so that puts Petrucci out on the street.

Cal Crutchlow, Franco Morbidelli, and Xavier Simeon have contracts through '19.

I'm thinking Zarco at Factory KTM alongside Pol Espargaro.
Tossup between Binder, Oliveira, and Bradley for the 2 seats at Taureau Rouge Tech3.

Still want Krazy Joe back on the Duc.

Maybe Aprilia for AI.

Nope...

+11tybillion

If Petrux can get better results than Jorghey...

He did last season, and did during testing.

Exactly. This is why I don't think Petrux will be out on the street, at least not for too long even if Ducati smokes some bad weed and extends Jorghey's contract.

Danilo should have a factory ride.

There are no more grid spots, so Ducati can't just add a bike to the team. To sign Petrucci, You'reghey has to go.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/03/15/rossi-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-movistar-yamaha/251856

He's still kickin'. [thumbsup]

Heck of an achievement to be so competitive for so long.

This is more in the silly department:

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/135215/lorenzo-says-dovizioso-tries-to-undermine-him

Wel...he does undermine him.

He makes him look like an amateur. ;D

If he keeps up with that crap he'll be out the door.

12 mil Vs 2mil. The results are undermining.

http://www.motogp.com/en/in+the+media/2018/04/11/lorenzo-heading-for-suzuki/255095

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/893406/1/im-concentrating-making-ducatilorenzo-work

I wonder if Suzuki are chasing JL and how hard? It wouldn't surprise if the Suzuki is a better match for his riding style than the bike that has dented a few careers.

They're going to have to find somebody to ride next to Rins, JLo would be a good choice.

All fixed. ;D

If it's just based on the rider + bike, Jorghey should switch immediately to Suzuki. The biggest issue will be the $$$

Pol Espargaro will stay at KTM through 2020.

Smith is screwed.

I think Zarco will end up signing for KTM. Once that happens I expect HRC to make an offer to Pedrosa.

David Emmett said Zarco/KTM a done deal, to be announced at LeMans.

Looks as if there's some interest in the satellite Yamahas:
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2018/april/motogp-sepang-pitching-for-a-motogp-team/

More:
https://motomatters.com/news/2018/05/02/pol_espargaro_renews_with_ktm_for_2_more.html

Not sure it would be smart to bring in Bagnaia. I would bring up Petrux on a 1 year deal, then see if either Miller or Bagnaia could do better on similar bikes.

Swap to Italian
A very delicate moment for Jorge Lorenzo after the disappointing start of his second season in Ducati. According to Carlo Pernat, who spoke at Paddock, the Mallorcan is likely to remain without a bike next year: "Lorenzo has already already offered several times through his Suzuki manager Suzuki is not interested in certain figures and has not looked for Lorenzo, but it could be one of those that can be blessed, and I throw it there, saying a sporting blasphemy: Lorenzo must be careful because he could even take a sabbatical year.With the numbers he asks and how he is put, it can be difficult for him to find a saddle " .
According to the Genoese manager, the Ducati has now rejected the Spaniard: "I believe that in Ducati they have already put a line over it.I think that now the problem is how to replace it.In the paddock turns a voice, quite safe, according to which they are looking at Miller , which among other things is already under contract Ducati even if he runs with Pramac, he is Australian like Stoner, he seems to be very well looked in. Petrucci, his team-mate, is suffering a bit '.

http://www.sportal.it/moto/lorenzo-senza-moto-l-anno-prossimo.html

Wow. JL better not be too precious then.
And Wow about Miller. I really thought Monkey was first in line. I hope Miller gets his chance and continues the Aussie love affair with Ducati.

Pedrosa on a Duc?

Imagine the top speeds. ;D

383 1/2mph on the long straight at COTA.

and maybe 0 tyre degradation

correct

Zarco officially going to KTM

Speculation that Jorghey might have already signed with Suzuki

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2018/may/motogp-lorenzo-signs-for-suzuki/

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/pol-espargaro-ktm-contract-2019-2020/

Man has a valid point:

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/895729/1/tech-3-smith-return-makes-no-sense

Maybe KTM needs two test riders. :-\

Herve isn't going to sign him.

Dunno, Pit seems pretty happy with Mika for testing, and he rips pretty good on wildcards, so I think Bradley's hosed on that.

Which race was it he got run over, practice for Suzuka?
I forget exactly, but that seems to have taken quite a bit pace away.
He was hurt a long time after, too, yes?

For reliability testing, someone not on hot pace will do the job, perhaps Bradley would slot in that way.

I don't remember, Nick.

Bradley's future in GP is tenuous to say the least.

It is indeed.

Such a competitive grid, if you've got a factory seat that you're hardly getting warm, likely you won't have it long.
Same knife cutting from the other edge, Iannone runs hot and cold while being a steady disturbance, teams would rather have a more consistent and calm rider.

I think Suzuki needs to make a final step to where the bikes can podium without superhuman rider effort.
This sort of approach will see them losing concessions and they'll be right back in the barrel.

Just a couple of years ago that would describe Dovi and Cal. Look where they are now...in the hunt.

Iannone isn't worth the trouble. Just one man's opinion.

Two more dominos that were pretty obvious:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/05/17/rins-to-stay-with-team-suzuki-ecstar-for-two-more-seasons/258673

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/05/17/aleix-espargaro-continues-with-aprilia-for-2019-and-2020/258685

And possible good news:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/05/17/dovi-future-maybe-there-will-be-news-this-weekend/258755

How much more than the original offer did it take?

That’s the multi million dollar question.

George numbers... :P

I'm imagining the numbers are the same as the last contracts, just swapped between the 2 documents.

He's earned with loyalty, long term development, hard work and results.

Absolutely, deserves every Euro he gets.

It’s official! 2 year contract for Dovi

Pay??

Haven't seen any numbers so far.

All MotoGP contracts are confidential until the riders themselves leak it. I'm sure Dovi is very happy.

Something tells me that Jorghey might be considering staying. Only HRC or Yamaha could offer as much as Ducati, even if it's considerably less compared to his current contract. During Lemans FP1 the announcers were discussing how Suzuki seem to be building an offer for Iannone. They were also talking about Aprilia going after Petrux.

His pay rise will no doubt be substantial.

Worth every cent.

Pecino says Iannone is out, Jorge wants too much, and Mir likely to get the Suzuki seat, if some pesky paperwork can be handled.
http://pecinogp.com/joan-mirs-future-between-suzuki-blue-and-repsol-orange/

I don't recall who said it, but apparently Lorenzo's opening number on salary made Brivio laugh until he cried.
<edit mgm, here :https://motomatters.com/comment/85188#comment-85188>

I'm seeing a significant chance of JLo riding his couch next year.

IMO, if this MarcVDS trainwreck continues much longer, there'll be no Yamaha Satellites in '19.
<edit - not that it appears anyone would be that chuffed to have them>
 

I doubt Jorghey will be out of MotoGP unless he insists on the money he’s currently getting from Marlboro. Someone will make him an offer.

Who?

Certainly not DP! 😆

In all seriousness, he will probably need to lower his demands somewhat.
Even if he does, and I would think that he would, would Ducati really want him? I doubt it.

His style is super tight and smooth, the Ducati needs blokes who can handle loose!

Monkey said that the Pramac boys are at the top of the list to join Dovi because they're the cheap option! A bargain compared to JL. He said he was dead serious although seen laughing about it. He said he was laughing because it was true.

Whatever happens both Monkey and Jackass will be on the latest factory equipment. It might be better to be the no 1 guy in Pramac then the 2nd guy to Dovi in the factory team since the three riders will get 2019 bikes.

Petrux has been linked to the Aprilia for weeks. They’re just waiting to see if Ducati offers him the seat.

I’m sure everyone knows the situation. Jorghey is still Suzuki’s first option. Bringing in the possibility of Mir just puts pressure on him to negotiate. After this weekend results, both Pramac boys out riding him, Jorghey’s manager is likely begging him to just sign the contract.

Not necessarily true for Danilo. He could end up with the short straw...no ride...since his seat at Pramac is gone.

Aprilia. They really really want him on their bike.

So Monkey to Aprilia or Factory Ducati, but no option to stay? Who ended it with Pramac, his manager or Pramac?

He told Pramac that he’s looking for a factory option only next year

...are they going to make a supersized version for Magilla? :P

Well, Redding is one of the "larger" riders. He's not doing all that great on it, but to be fair, he wasn't doing any better on any bike on the grid.

Maybe they'll build a version that lasts a race. [evil]

That is to be seen. Redding has been able to finish, dead last, but he finishes.

http://www.motogp.com/en/in%20the%20media/2018/05/23/miller-factory-or-not-i-ll-have-a-gp19/260033

Judging by his comments (if you can read anything into it), Gigi prefers Monkey to join Dovi over Jack.

I suspect Petrucci is a pretty well known quantity for Gigi, Jack is a risk partly due to being an unknown.

Mir to Suzuki. Allegedly.

https://as.com/motor/2018/05/25/motociclismo/1527205307_812046.html?id_externo_rsoc=comp_tw

Has Pedro signed yet?

He has not.

Let’s hear it from a reliable source first

The momentum seems pretty high on the Suzuki/Rins deal.

https://motomatters.com/analysis/2018/05/25/motogp_silly_season_after_le_mans_mir_in.html

So much info here! Mir is the key here. Once he makes a decision, both Jorghey and Pedrosa's situations will be resolved, with one getting the short end. If Ducati wanted to keep Jorghey they would have made him an offer by now. If Marc VDS moves to Suzuki, I would hope Dorna would figure out a way to build a "satellite" Yamaha team, ala LCR. It would have 1 rider (Jorghey) with semi factory support. I was surprised to see that Puig is desperately trying to get rid of Pedrosa.

I think Ducati will make an offer to either Petrux or Miller depending on the results of Mugello. I'm really surprised that Petrux is not next to Iannone on the possibility to get the Aprilia ride.

http://www.motogp.com/en/twitter_update/2018/05/24/rea-s-worldsbk-farewell-motorsport-magazine-reports-that-top-motogp-teams/260147

link only shows a pic of Johnny.

Is there more?

MotoGP page is FUBAR.

http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2018/In%2Bthe%2BMedia%2BReas%2BWorldSBK%2Bfarewell

Sorry fellas, the link seems buggered.
That's a better one. Cheers.

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/896819/1/ducati-pointless-go-if-it-doesn-t-work-jorge

Sounds like Jorghey's sentence will be signed during Mugello. I also think that Suzuki is going after Mir both as a negotiation tactic and also to make sure they have a good option if Jorghey sticks to his guns. At this point and based on the way Ciabatti was talking, I highly doubt Jorghey will be offered anything. Personally, I would offer Petrux a 1 year deal. Jack will get his factory bike next year with Pramac and if he out performs the factory guys, then they can promote him. Considering the past success of Aussies on the Duc, I would definitely be looking at Jack long term.

Similar view:

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/motogp-2018-peak-silly-season

Like most in life, it boils down to $$$. No team is going to pay Jorghey remotely close to his current salary. His best choice will be Suzuki. I'm going to laugh my ass off if he ends up without a ride.

And there's this:

http://www.motogp.com/en/in+the+media/2018/05/30/jarvis-lorenzo-return-could-happen/260287

I think this is more Jarvis being a dick and adding fuel to the fire. Rossi will never allow for Jorghey to come even remotely close back to Yamaha and considering the rumors that Yamaha is lining up Sky to be their "junior" team when Rossi retires this rumor is even more far fetch. But as Jarvis said “could happen”.

 Jorghey would do fine in the Repsol CEV series.

Lorenzo's best chance would be to eat humble pie on $$$ with Suzuki and we know he won't do that. Maybe he's hanging out for a factory bike in a satellite team (does Jarvis know something?), maybe he'll crack the shits, grab his bat and ball and go home..

We can only hope

He might also take a page from Stoner’s book and “retire”. The biggest difference is that at the time Stoner was one of maybe 4 aliens. Now both talent and machinery are more on par.

Be interesting to see if he holds his ground.

Iannone confirms no Suzuki for him, no shocker there.

Jorge claims to have multiple options for a competitive bike in MotoGP.
https://www.gpone.com/en/2018/05/31/motogp/lorenzo-retire-no-ill-have-a-competitive-bike-in-2019.html

Iannone will likely end up in Aprilia. At this point I’ll be happy with Jorghey off the Ducati, don’t really care where he ends up. Move Petrux to the factory with a one year deal, then bring up Jack in 2020.

The only other domino would be Pedrosa, who I would hate to see having to go down to a satellite team. I would prefer he retire.

He’s very confident indeed. I’d like to see him take a substantial pay cut, stay with Ducati and start getting on the podium.

Ducati did everything for Rossi, who couldn’t make it work. If Lorenzo could gut it out, that’d be huge.

He’d have to take that aforementioned pay cut though, which I doubt he’d do.

For my mind, he’s won many championships, this is about finishing what he started with the switch to Ducati.

It’s official. Poor Dani :(

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/06/05/hrc-and-dani-pedrosa-to-end-partnership-at-the-end-of-2018/261595

Pedrosa's had many years to win a title on that bike. I think that move is long overdue.

Such a warm, thoughtful, and detailed Press Release.

The HRC President really goes the extra mile to put into words how much they valued Dani all these years.

All those people who said Honda doesn't care about their riders, just proven wrong, full stop.

-----------------------

Now there's rabid speculation of Jorge taking Dani's seat.

Honda signs Lorenzo for 2 years.

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/lorenzo-two-year-deal-honda-pedrosa-1044691/

The crazy talk continues:

https://www.gpone.com/en/2018/06/05/motogp/marquez-and-lorenzo-to-make-up-hondas-future-battleship.html

Isn't the Honda a bike that doesn't respond well to You'reghey's style?

Doesn't Gorgeous George think Marc is an irresponsible rider?

Walls in the box?

Is it April?

They'd need a brick wall.

I guess its not that crazy, being Repsol and all.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/ryder-notes-safe-distance/

I guess that Puig figured that since he missed his chance to hire Rossi to be Marc's teammate, he'd do the next best thing.

Did Puig and Marc consider Lorenzo a threat on the Ducati, and decided they wanted him on the squad to control the outcome?

Well, we all saw how well George takes team orders.

I'm just trying to figure out what's motivated the deal.

I'm missing an upside (or six), I see neither side with a significant good reason to do the deal.

Is this part of Puig's master plan to oust Alzamora?
Seems that would only work if Jorge sat on the RCV and immediately started mopping the floor with Marquez.
This is not Rick & Morty, he cannot shop around for a reality where that happens, it does not exist.

You'reghey cannot sit on a bike and mop any floor with anyone.

He requires a very special set of parameters.

The Honda, in it's current form, does not meet those requirements. Why would Honda build a bike that suits a former champion instead of a bike that suits a current champion? The same bike won't work for both. Historically, Honda builds a bike, and finds riders that fit it...not the other way around.

250 GP is gone. My hope is You'reghey follows suit. I'd much rather see the young guns come up.

As far as the battle between Puig and Alzamorra...that's just ego and politics.

I'm not interested.

btw, I had to check wikipedia for rick and morty...yes...I'm a dinosaur.

This is insane in the membrane

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I don't get it, Lorenzo on a point & shoot bike. [laugh]

Monkey Magic gets the factory ride.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/06/06/petrucci-joins-factory-ducati/261638

More about denying Yamaha the chance to get a rider that can win on the bike on day one and maybe also removing one of MM’s critics. HRC only cars if MM wins.

Read somewhere yesterday that one theory is that Honda thinks Lorenzo can "steal" points from the competition to benefit Marquez championship runs.

That might be true...in a year or two.

We'll see how much HRC change the bike for him, enough to get in the way of MM's rivals, but not too much.  ;) While helping Lorenzo adapt, the base line structure will be built around MM, and fair enough as MM is the the best out there, but I wonder how long until Lorenzo complains they are not changing the bike enough for him? I wonder in his heart of hearts if he can accept that he is the No.2 rider?
HRC must be confident that on the same bike and all things being equal, MM has it over Lorenzo and must be chuffed to have a multiple world champion as a No.2 rider. Maybe Pedro is just plain worn out from so many years as bridesmaid, so time for a new bridesmaid.
It seems the failure at Ducati eroded Lorenzo's negotiating power enough to make him affordable. What was too expensive for Suzuki [drink] was probably a bargain for HRC. [wine]

I think Pedro got worn out by hitting the ground.
Not sure about the actual numbers, but it sure seems like most of the time he's getting taken out.
Gotta be one hard sonufapregnant dog to spend that much time hurt.

I think Puig is just executing a payback with an 'enemies closer' move.
I see little else beneficial besides that.
Lorenzo will struggle, HRC will fob him off, for 2 years, or more.
He may win a race where MM has a DNF.
Otherwise, MM will continue to storm the bastille* with full HRC/Repsol support.
And the war with Alzamora continues.

If Lorenzo had won this race a year ago, perhaps I'd go along with the 'transformation'.

I'd really like to be proven wrong by reality.

*perhaps that's not a good expression, no offense intended

True. It's a HRC master stroke keeping Lorenzo on a bike not suited to him. It really does nullify the threat and uses him as a buffer against MMs other rivals. Might help with the team and mfr's championships too. Anyone know how much Lorenzo was paid by HRC? Surely he knows he's a pawn in Spanish racing politics?

We shouldn't underestimate the negative effect the Ducati can have on a riders career trajectory. It's taken Rossi awhile to get back to form after that lost time and he's a real benchmark for "the Ducati effect".
Surely people realise they underestimated Dovi and Stoner? One thing's for sure, young Marky has the ability to ride the wheels off a misbehaving bike like no one else out there. I like the little shit, but he might just as easily have competed in the UFC.  [evil]

I wonder how many bones Pedro's broken? He looks more than physically broken.

He’d get destroyed in UFC by a female in his weight class. Let’s not confuse riding like a maniac to getting choked the make the beast with two backs out. Which Danilo still might do. Fingers crossed.  :D

 [laugh]

I reckon he'd be a tough little make the beast with two backser if trained right. Forget F1 and try a real sport son! He better start training, Magilla's gonna get him next chance they're alone with no CCTV. Next racing opportunity I foresee a very hard pass.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/motogp-silly-season-update-mugello-2018/

Good overview . [thumbsup]

Iannone could win on the Yamaha.

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/suzuki-andrea-iannone-part-ways-motogp/

Matt's got some ideas & a history lesson.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/lorenzo-and-honda-will-they-win

Informative article. 👍🏻

Moto2; Hector Barbera has just vacated his seat on a Pons Racing Kalex.

Well, Pons sent him packing 'cause he got a DUI and lost his license.

Good read.

There'd be a naughty clause in the contract.

I've got a naughty clause where I work too. Pisses me off!

 ;D

That’s because you’re naughty!
😉😉

 
;D

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/888/40978140280_1a3de577e5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25r6Fs1)

Aprilia raises the bar in team professionalism again.

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/redding-learned-of-aprilia-split-from-social-media-1046087/

Disgraceful.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2018/june/motogp-pedrosas-deal-with-petronas-yamaha-imminent/

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/899634/1/redding-offered-aprilia-testing-role-iannone-opportunity

Good move considering Iannone is not known to be interested in actually developing a bike.

Staff Silly Season starting in 3... 2... 1...

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fes.motorsport.com%2Fmotogp%2Fnews%2Florenzo-confirma-gabarrini-no-ira-honda%2F3131020%2F&edit-text=

Interesting. Another set of dominos to fall.