Silly Season...already?

[ducpainter]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Honda+Racing+Corporation+renew+with+Marc+Marquez+until+end+of+2016

So who thinks Yourghey will actually want to get beaten by his team mate?

[duccarlos]

Apparently HRC said that their focus is to resign both MM and the Turd, who I doubt would turn down any offer. That closes the door and basically keeps everyone where they are. Ducati might be rethinking CC, but I think he signed a 2 year deal. Dovi won't go anywhere unless they can promote Iannone. I would be very interested in Aleix, but I assume that HRC and Yamaha are looking at putting him on a satellite.

[thought]

Yeah, I'm guessing that the aliens wont change spots at all... but I could see AE taking Bautista/Bradl's spots.

[ducpainter]

Apparently HRC said that their focus is to resign both MM and the Turd, who I doubt would turn down any offer. That closes the door and basically keeps everyone where they are. Ducati might be rethinking CC, but I think he signed a 2 year deal. Dovi won't go anywhere unless they can promote Iannone. I would be very interested in Aleix, but I assume that HRC and Yamaha are looking at putting him on a satellite.

I must missed the part about HRC wanting to keep Pedrosa.

You have a link?

[thought]

I must missed the part about HRC wanting to keep Pedrosa.

You have a link?

I think he might be talking about this article:

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/marc-marquez-contract-hrc-motogp/

"With Marquez under contract, Honda’s need for a rider that can win championships is already filled. That means that Dani Pedrosa’s seat looks safe in the Repsol Honda team, the Spaniard having proven that he can pick up the baton whenever Marquez falters, and is capable of pushing for a championship himself.

Pedrosa is 8th on the list of all-time winners in the premier class, and has shown that he can win races and, more importantly, finish ahead of the Yamahas consistently. Team principal Livio Suppo has repeatedly expressed his support for Pedrosa, which makes his spot at Repsol Honda look secure. Marquez and Pedrosa are clearly a winning combination, so why change?"

Nothing direct from HRC cept for Livio's support

[duccarlos]

I also read it on another article, but can't remember where. Livio's support is key, not to mention that pressure is off Pedrosa to perform, which should help him in the end. There's no reason for HRC to pay a premium for Lorenzo.

[ducpainter]

If Livio's talking and Nakamoto has gone silent about Lorenzo I'd take that as a sign.

That article also talks of Daa'Igna wanting Lorenzo.

I want to find a shoebox full of thousand dollar bills...

I think I have a better chance than Gigi does.

[Speeddog]

Rossi to start talking to Yamaha about two more years.

 http://m.crash.net/motogp/news/204490/1/valentino-rossi-to-start-yamaha-contract-talks.html

Purportedly Suzuki is pursuing Dovi.
IMO, that'd be worse than staying put at Ducati.

[duccarlos]

Ducati needs at least one Italian rider on the factory team. Iannone is not ready.

[Triple J]

Rossi is a given at Yamaha if he wants, and it seems he does.

My speculation:

Too early to tell on JLo. I'm guessing he prefers to stay on the Yamaha, but he needs a win or two to convince himself the bike can do it. Otherwise he goes to HRC. I'm guessing he'll stay at Yamaha though. No way in hell he goes to Ducati...no matter what they offer.

Pedro will likely stay at HRC as well, unless JLo wants his seat. He's still an alien, so I think his seat is safe otherwise.

Aleix E. to Suzuki maybe? He deserves a factory ride, and not on a red bike. The 2 good factories are taken.

I think Cal stays at Ducati, despite the pregnant doging. There isn't another factory seat for him (his current complaining ruling out Suzuki). Dovi on the other hand could become Suzuki's second rider...leaving Ianonne to fill his seat at Ducati.

[ducpainter]

IMO, Cal's pregnant doging is warranted. How many other bikes do you see parked along the wall? He's having the same kinds of stupid issues Spies had at Yamaha.

J...you think Honda makes a seat for Jorge and drops one of the satellite bikes, or do you think they'd ditch the midget.

Yourghey won't ride a bike with Showa and Nissin components like Bautista, and I don't think Honda will give up the development of their in house bits..

[Speeddog]

I've read that Bautista and/or Barbera are likely to get sent packing due to Espeleta's aversion to so many Spaniards in MotoGP.

[duccarlos]

I've read that Bautista and/or Barbera are likely to get sent packing due to Espeleta's aversion to so many Spaniards in MotoGP.

Both could be in the hot seat. Bautista has only completed 1 race. Barbera does not have the engine to get towed like the old days. Maybe they demote Bradl to the Gresini bike with Showas and Nissin. That would open the LCR Honda for AE. I doubt that HRC will offer JLo the amount that he would get at Yamaha.

[Triple J]

IMO, Cal's pregnant doging is warranted. How many other bikes do you see parked along the wall? He's having the same kinds of stupid issues Spies had at Yamaha.

J...you think Honda makes a seat for Jorge and drops one of the satellite bikes, or do you think they'd ditch the midget.

Yourghey won't ride a bike with Showa and Nissin components like Bautista, and I don't think Honda will give up the development of their in house bits..

I agree that Cal's pregnant doging is warranted. Doing it in public likely isn't making fans from any of the manufacturers though, and could be hurting future factory rides. I'd suspect the Japanese like it even less than the Italians.

I think if JLo wants a Honda, then Pedro is given the boot. My guess is HRC will delay inking Pedro until JLo makes a decision. Pedro would then likely end up at Yamaha. I agree that JLo won't ride anything subpar, and I doubt HRC would do 3 bikes again.

I think if JLo gets his confidence back he stays at Yamaha though. He's still the #1 rider there, whereas MM is the #1 at Honda...and would remain so. Even with Rossi's possible resurgence, being a challenged #1 or at worse equal rider at Yamaha may be better in his eyes than being a clear #2 at HRC.

I could be completely wrong though!  

[ducpainter]

it is all silly after all... ;