2010 Silly Season

[derby]

first shot fired:

Simoncelli to Gresini Honda Motogp 

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/148874/1/marco_simoncelli_to_motogp_with_honda.html

[Spidey]

The part that stuck out when I first read that article was how he "politely declined" a satellite Duc.   

[Spidey]

Let me quote myself . . .

The MotoGP field for 2010 should be:

Rossi, Lorenzo, Stoner, Hayden, Crashy McSmurf, Dovi, Capi, Melandri, Bautista, Simoncelli, Spies, Hayden and half-a-dozen others --  I don't care who.  Maybe Edwards?   Sete should re-retire. 

WSBK should include Toseland & Hopper and anyone else who currently has a GP ride and isn't on the list above.  Hacking should be there too.

Mladin should either run WSBK or Moto2 (King Kenny already told him no on the Moto2 gig). 

[DanTheMan]

Who's spot is he taking?

[derby]

Who's spot is he taking?

FTFA:

Gresini Honda is currently experiencing a difficult season with Toni Elias and Alex de Angelis. de Angelis is 13th in the championship with 25 out of a possible 150 points while Elias, who has a factory spec RCV, is one place and two points behind the San Marinese.

At least one rider will now leave the team at the end of the year, and possibly both.

[ducpainter]

WSBK is looking really good next year.

[Spidey]

Spies is talking to Aprilia?!?  Gossip from DaineseDan . . .

Both Motosprint.com and GPone.com have confirmed and reported that Ben Spies is in talks with Aprilia for a ride next year.  The head of Aprilia Racing has stated that they have made Ben "an offer he can't refuse".

Ben is apparently furious after his fourth mechanical issue with the Yamaha and the fact that Yamaha initailly refused to sign a new contract over a 10% salary increase.

Aprilia is seriously upping their efforts in WSBK for next year with the addition of a second full factory two bike team.  Since the demise of the 250 class in MotoGP, Aprilia will be focusing their efforts on a WSBK champoinship.

Colin Edwards has also stated that he has approached Aprilia about a possible return to World Superbikes with them.  Aprilia could very well end up with an all Texas team!

http://www.motosprint.it/sbk/superbike/2009/06/24-458/Contatto+Ben+Spies-Aprilia

The U.S. has not signed with Yamaha and thinks the house Noale
 Last Sunday at Misano Ben Spies has refused to sign the renewal with Yamaha.  It seems they have no rush to define the future.  Yamaha has completely the wrong strategy.  After the success of the American race of the World Superbike Championship was Ben to come forward and define the agreement in 2010.  Asking € 1.1 million, 10% more current of recruitment.  But in America Koerkamp Lawrence, head of sport for Yamaha Europe, has left Spies with the palm of a nose by refusing to sign the agreement because even without the necessary coverage burdget for next season.
 On the eve of the Misano Yamaha has tried to run a shelter.  Lin Jarvis, a number of races Yamaha, the sum voted and sent the contract in Italy ready for signing.  But after the fourth fracture mechanics in sixteen races and arrabbiatura that followed, this time it was Spies do not want to conclude.  Meanwhile the Aprilia has already come forward.  "Spies interests us, and how" said the head of sports Piaggio Group, Giampiero Sacchi.  "In the weekend I will be at Donington, if Ben believes in our project, we can also sign up now.
 The outstanding U.S. confirmed a www.motosprint.it to have contact with Aprilia.  "Their interest made me happy, what they feel from propormi.  There is no hurry to decide the future. "

[derby]

Spies is talking to Aprilia?!?  Gossip from DaineseDan . . .

john ulrich:  http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?p=2591539#post2591539

[Spidey]

John Ulrich is gonna be racin' a WSBK priller?!?  Now that's some good gossip!


 

[OT]

"...has left Spies with the palm of a nose..." 

Gotta love those translator apps   

[gm2]

Lorenzo to a new single-bike HRC team?  ...pedro to fiat yamaha??

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/07/07/lorenzo_rumors_increasing_telefonica_hon.html

[Jester]

I think Pedro is the logical choice for Rossi's teammate tbh.  Those two get along pretty decent it seems, regardless of how fast Pedro is.  I dunno how Yammy would take to Puig though.  Lorenzo would improve Honda and in turn improve the field, since so many riders are on Honda.  You would imagine Honda would ditch that pocketbike and redevelop a slightly larger version if Lorenzo were to move, which would probably benefit all the Honda guys.  Also, rule changes or not, the 800cc era is getting itself some age and hopefully the performance gap will shrink in the next few years as is the norm with this sort of thing.  By next year all the factories should have proper chassis for the stones and the engine performance should be even closer.

So lets say Lorentho leaves and Pedro stays.  Who then for the other Fiat seat?

[desmoquattro]

So lets say Lorentho leaves and Pedro stays.  Who then for the other Fiat seat?

Kurtis Roberts

[Triple J]

So lets say Lorentho leaves and Pedro stays.  Who then for the other Fiat seat?

Spies  

[Jester]

I think Spies still qualifies under the new "rookie" rule though, doesn't he?