2010 Silly Season

[Jester]

One of the MotoGP World Championship’s longest running sagas could come to an end as early as this weekend, as Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’ looks to finalise an arrangement to move his successful lower cylinder category project up to the premier class.

The Spaniard is moving ahead with a potential deal with Ducati to run a satellite team in 2010, explaining to motogp.com at Sachsenring that “the idea is to work with Ducati and we are going forward with this plan. We have to tie up the last few details –the matter of the rider more than anything- and hope to be able to announce something at Donington at the latest.”

Whilst current Aspar 250cc star Álvaro Bautista would be the logical choice and hot favourite for the spot in the new team, his name has not yet been confirmed by either party. The quarter-litre title contender is, however, looking to progress to 800cc competition having engaged in talks with a number of premier class managers.

Aspar expressed his interest in a MotoGP ascension last year, negotiating to run satellite squads for both Yamaha and Suzuki in addition to links with a third Kawasaki bike.

[Spidey]

I'm amazed that anyone would consider running a Duc at this point unless the "make it so that Nicky can ride" project actually turns the GP9 around.

[Speeddog]

Well, if they keep putting new riders on ducs, statistically they should eventually find another one who can ride 'em. 

Agreed, though, that doesn't seem like a smart move.

[Jester]

I'd bet Ducati is offering the bikes at a cut rate compared to the other manufacturers.

[gm2]

there have been at least 2 250 riders this season who want to come up but have refused to ride the ducati.  it's become known as the "career killer"

[gm2]

...but apparently there's one who'll risk it

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77246

[gm2]

there's now definition of "rookie" in motogp: <9 races

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/07/25/fim_clarifies_rookie_rule_less_than_9_ra.html

[tufty]

there's now definition of "rookie" in motogp: <9 races

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/07/25/fim_clarifies_rookie_rule_less_than_9_ra.html

So I guess Mr. Spies won't be heading to FIAT-Yamaha.

Can anyone say Suzuki?

[Jester]

So I guess Mr. Spies won't be heading to FIAT-Yamaha.

Can anyone say Suzuki?

Who's riding for Tech-3 next year?  Its up in the air who rides for Fiat.  Lorenzo/Pedro or Colin, but I'd imagine Toseland is toast.  Why wouldn't Spies head to the Tech-3 team?

[Spidey]

Can anyone say Suzuki?

I doubt it.  I'd say Tech3 Yamaha.  Dunno who'll fill the FIAT seat -- Edwards or Pedrosa.  Very outside chance of Dovi.   I'd like to see Edwards (cuz he and Rossi get along as teammates) and then Spies on FIAT a year later with Edwards retiring. 

If I were FIAT however, I'd go for Pedrobot.  A Pedrobot/Spies team in two or three years sounds pretty good in terms of having a contendah.      [moto] 

[tufty]

Who's riding for Tech-3 next year?  Its up in the air who rides for Fiat.  Lorenzo/Pedro or Colin, but I'd imagine Toseland is toast.  Why wouldn't Spies head to the Tech-3 team?

Spies is on record as saying he isn't interested in riding for a satellite MotoGP team, so that excludes FIAT/Yamaha but not Suzuki.

The chances of Edwards going back to FIAT-Yamaha are pretty slim.

[gm2]

Spies is on record as saying he isn't interested in riding for a satellite MotoGP team, so that excludes FIAT/Yamaha but not Suzuki.

there is supposedly a deal out there already that leaves him at yamaha wsbk for one more year and then goes to tech-3 but with full factory support... basically going around the rookie rule.  or potentially next year if he wins this year.  may have been in this thread, even..

[Jester]

Provisional 2010 calendar announced by FIM A provisional race calendar for the 2010 FIM MotoGP World Championship has been released today.

The provisional 2010 Grand Prix schedule for the FIM MotoGP World Championship is as follows:

Date - Grand Prix - Circuit:
11 April - Qatar* - Losail
25 April - Japan - Motegi
2 May - Spain - Jerez
16 May - France - Le Mans
30 May - Italy - Mugello
6 June - Great Britain - Silverstone
26 June - Netherlands** - Assen
4 July - Catalunya - Catalunya
18 July - Germany - Sachsenring
25 July - United States*** - Laguna Seca
15 August - Czech Republic - Brno
29 August - Indianapolis - Indianapolis
12 September - San Marino & Riviera di Rimini - Misano
19 September - Hungary - Balatonring
10 October - Malaysia - Sepang
17 October - Australia - Phillip Island
31 October - Portugal - Estoril
7 November Valencia Ricardo Tormo-Valencia

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class

In the event that one of the circuits is not able to comply with the requirements to hold the scheduled Grand Prix, the Motorland Aragon Circuit would host a reserve “event” on the same day.

[MadDuck]

Spies is on record as saying he isn't interested in riding for a satellite MotoGP team, so that excludes FIAT/Yamaha but not Suzuki.

The chances of Edwards going back to FIAT-Yamaha are pretty slim.

Spies will follow the money. Count on it. With the rule clarification I can understand why FIAT/Yamaha is out but why wouldn't Suzuki be ruled out as well?

[Triple J]

Spies will follow the money. Count on it. With the rule clarification I can understand why FIAT/Yamaha is out but why wouldn't Suzuki be ruled out as well?

I think because they don't run any satellite teams.