Silly Season...already?

[ducpainter]

They'll bring Johnny into the MotoGP gunfight and hand him the knife again.

Hope it isn't dull...

[duccarlos]

Rea has milked every last inch of fast from that bike.

[ducpainter]

Bradl to Forward Racing.

JLo signs 2-year deal with Yamaha.

According to David Emmett tweet.....

The Bradl deal confirmed...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/NGM+Forward+Racing+sign+Bradl+for+2015

[Speeddog]

JLo gets 2-year deal with The Big Y.
Rumored 1 year bail-out clause not mentioned, but that doesn't mean it's missing from the contract.

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2014/08/07/lorenzo_confirmed_at_movistar_yamaha_thr.html

[duccarlos]

Do we know what was the stumbling block?

[Speeddog]

The hangup seemed to be that he wanted a one year deal, or have a one year bail-out option.

Seemed his bargaining position wasn't very strong in light of this year's meltdowns and the fact of all other remotely desirable seats being filled.

I suspect that he fears that Michelin is going to provide tire constructions in squidgy, extra squidgy, and super squidgy.
Which wouldn't surprise me at all, their production road tires are only slightly more substantial than a condom.

And that Yamaha might continue to fail to get their bike any closer to the Hondas any time soon.

[duccarlos]

Or his feedback being less weighty than his teammate's.

[ducpainter]

<snip>
I suspect that he fears that Michelin is going to provide tire constructions in squidgy, extra squidgy, and super squidgy.
Which wouldn't surprise me at all, their production road tires are only slightly more substantial than a condom.

Not everyone makes tires that resemble bricks.

[Speeddog]

Not everyone makes tires that resemble bricks.

Indeed.

I'm not at all convinced it's necessary for a MotoGP tire.
Just one particular way of doing it.
Pirelli provides a rather floppy construction for WSBK that gets heavier and less powerful bikes to a lap time that's quite reasonable.

[duccarlos]

All the riders just want tires that wear at a manageable rate. BS has done a much better job this year with tires that are not a complete pain to bring up to temp, but that will last a whole race and them-some. 

[Speeddog]

According to MCN via Matthew Birt:

Both Lorenzo and Yamaha have early termination options.

MarcVDS team will not have Miller on a Moto2 bike next year.
HRC talking with LCR about providing a RCV1000 for Miller to ride.
Noting that it would be the 5th RCV1000, they only wanted to have 4, so means they want Miller pretty badly.

Bradley Smith *may* get a 1 year deal for 2015 with Tech3.

Scott Redding will be on Factory RCV at Gresini.
Brembo/Ohlins or Showa/Nissin bits not decided yet.

< Some grains of salt may be necessary>

[Triple J]

MarcVDS team will not have Miller on a Moto2 bike next year.
HRC talking with LCR about providing a RCV1000 for Miller to ride.
Noting that it would be the 5th RCV1000, they only wanted to have 4, so means they want Miller pretty badly.

I don't get the rush to move Miller to GP. He could learn a hell of a lot in the ultra competitive Moto2 class, not to mention get used to additional power incrementally. I think moto racing is about 70% mental and confidence...it seems a stop in Moto 2 could only help that. Fighting for wins (hopefully) in Moto2 would seem better than being automatically relegated to backmarker in GP...especially with the tire changes coming to GP in 2016, when he could start fresh with everyone else.

[Speeddog]

PBM folding their tent and going home.

Grid slots for 2015 to be sold, Aprilia or Suzuki likely the buyers.

http://motomatters.com/news/2014/08/11/pbm_selling_motogp_grid_slots_focusing_o.html#comments

[ducpainter]

Bradley back at Tech3...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Smith+and+Monster+Yamaha+Tech3+to+continue+together+in+2015

[thought]

Bradley back at Tech3...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Smith+and+Monster+Yamaha+Tech3+to+continue+together+in+2015

One hell of a hail mary negotiation for him I'd say... lets hope he can produce next year.  Always wondered why he got that MotoGP slot so early.

Good synopsis of the current talks here too:

http://motomatters.com/analysis/2014/08/13/brno_crunch_time_for_motogp_silly_season.html

Most interesting thing is this to me:

"The most intriguing name being linked to MotoGP rides is Cameron Beaubier. The young American has made a big impression in the AMA Superbike class, as teammate to Josh Hayes. Beaubier has previous experience in Europe, having ridden the Red Bull Rookies Cup and in the 125cc class as teammate to Marc Marquez."

I think Dorna is pretty desperate to get some new American blood into the paddock and I dont think there is any other real choice.  Really wanted Herrin to do better but that's looking like a bit of a lost cause at this point.