2011 Silly Season

[gm2]

may as well have a topic for it... the damn thing is already in full swing.

Graziano Rossi: "Valentino Will Stay With Yamaha Until He Retires"

Ducati: Retaining Stoner is priority

+ innumerable mentions already in other threads re what happens to the Big Four next year.  Honda is positioning themselves for a bigtime comeback as well.

[pennyrobber]

I don't believe the parents comments on these issues. Wasn't it Spies mom who said he wasn't going to GP this year.

[Spidey]

I started to make some predictions as to who would go where, but then I had like 20 permutations.  This is the only thing which I'd bet on:  Lorenzo and Rossi will not be teammates in 2011.  

Other random thoughts re 2011:
Stoner will either be at Ducati or Honda.
Spies will be on a factory Yamaha.
Hayden will be riding for John Deere.
Dovi will lose his factory ride or go to Suzuki (which is like a satellite team).
Simoncelli will not get a haircut.
Pedrosa will still be a douchenozzle.  

[desmoquattro]

Other random thoughts re 2011:
Hayden will be riding for John Deere.
Dovi will lose his factory ride or go to Suzuki (which is like a satellite team).
Simoncelli will not get a haircut.
Pedrosa will still be a douchenozzle.  

LOL!

1) The Zukes will still be backmarkers, even with the switch to 1000cc
2) Some douchebag guest commentator will call them "drivers" again
3) Someone, somewhere will miss Chris Vermeulen.

[zooom]

LOL!

1) The Zukes will still be backmarkers, even with the switch to 1000cc
2) Some douchebag guest commentator will call them "drivers" again
3) Someone, somewhere will miss Chris Vermeulen.

AND SOMEONE will lament the loss of the suck formerly known as James Toseland...

[desmoquattro]

AND SOMEONE will lament the loss of the suck formerly known as James Toseland...

Toseland vs. The Mole in WSBK...the battle for 7th place will be epic!

[gm2]

Toseland vs. The Mole in WSBK...the battle for 7th place will be epic!

  the mole does really have a lock on 7th, doesn't he...

regarding the Suzuki factory-satellite team: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81001

[zooom]

Toseland vs. The Mole in WSBK...the battle for 7th place will be epic!

WOW...you are being REALLY nice giving them 7th to fight for...especially given the satelite 'Priller's and privateer Duc's that are highly competitive out in that field....I was thinking more like 10th/11th-ish...

[gm2]

given the satelite 'Priller's that are highly competitive

uhh, based on what? 

i still think there's a good chance that Cal and Johnny are going to stomp on JT a bit, but i don't think he'll be riding around in the back of the pack.

[EvilSteve]

As much as I dislike JT, the guy can ride a SBK. I'd be surprised if he's lower than 5th on average.

[gm2]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/156250/1/yamaha_boss_worried_ferrari_will_lure_rossi_to_f1.html

[Drunken Monkey]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/156250/1/yamaha_boss_worried_ferrari_will_lure_rossi_to_f1.html

There's plenty of precedent. Plus the money/fame is better there...

[derby]

There's plenty of precedent. Plus the money/fame is better there...

if you're not talking about rossi, maybe...

he's already one of the most famous, highest paid athletes in the world. last year's "highest paid athlete" list had raikkonen tied for 2nd @ $45MM and rossi in 9th @ $35MM. the second highest-paid f1 racer was lewis hamilton in 13th place @ $32MM.

the list:

1. Tiger Woods $110 million
2. Kobe Bryant $45 million
2. Michael Jordan $45 million
2. Kimi Raikkonen $45 million
5. David Beckham $42 million
6. LeBron James $40 million
6. Phil Mickelson $40 million
6. Manny Pacquaio $40 million
9. Valentino Rossi $35 million
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. $34 million
11. Roger Federer $33 million
11. Shaquille O'Neil $33 million
13. Oscar De La Hoya $32 million
13. Lewis Hamilton $32 million
13. Alex Rodriguez $32 million
16. Vijay Singh $31 million
17. Kevin Garnett $30 million
17. Jeff Gordon $30 million
17. Derek Jeter $30 million
17. Ronaldhino $30 million

Our list of the highest-paid athletes looks at earnings derived from salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements and licensing income between June 2008 and June 2009 and does not deduct for taxes or agents' fees. Overall the top 20 earned $789 million, down 1% from last year. The cut-off to make the list was $30 million.

[ducpainter]

if you're not talking about rossi, maybe...

he's already one of the most famous, highest paid athletes in the world. last year's "highest paid athlete" list had raikkonen tied for 2nd @ $45MM and rossi in 9th @ $35MM. the second highest-paid f1 racer was lewis hamilton in 13th place @ $32MM.

the list:

1. Tiger Woods $110 million
2. Kobe Bryant $45 million
2. Michael Jordan $45 million
2. Kimi Raikkonen $45 million
5. David Beckham $42 million
6. LeBron James $40 million
6. Phil Mickelson $40 million
6. Manny Pacquaio $40 million
9. Valentino Rossi $35 million
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. $34 million
11. Roger Federer $33 million
11. Shaquille O'Neil $33 million
13. Oscar De La Hoya $32 million
13. Lewis Hamilton $32 million
13. Alex Rodriguez $32 million
16. Vijay Singh $31 million
17. Kevin Garnett $30 million
17. Jeff Gordon $30 million
17. Derek Jeter $30 million
17. Ronaldhino $30 million

Our list of the highest-paid athletes looks at earnings derived from salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements and licensing income between June 2008 and June 2009 and does not deduct for taxes or agents' fees. Overall the top 20 earned $789 million, down 1% from last year. The cut-off to make the list was $30 million.

Mickleson makes more than Rossi?

He never wins...

[gm2]

retired guy #3 on the list.. .sheesh.