Silly Season 2016

[duccarlos]

WTF . . .

http://www.macaumotors.com/#!LORENZO-WITH-DUCATI-VIÑALES-TO-TAKE-HIS-PLACE-IN-YAMAHA/c1wxa/57045dd10cf2efb3747d0419

Ok, so using this article as our base, let's look at what we have:

Ducati - Jorghey and Dovi
Yamaha - Rossi and Vinales
HRC - MM and X
Suzuki - Pedrosa and A. Espargaro
KTM - Smith and X
Ape - Bautista and Bradl

These are all the factory rides. If assuming Iannone is gone, then I can see him either on the KTM or pushing Espargaro off the Suzuki.

I have issues thinking that HRC will not offer Pedrosa another contract. He is still one of the best riders in the field. If anything, they might low ball him a bit by included bonuses for actually winning races, but I can't fathom them at least not trying to keep him. If he stays put, then a Iannone/Espargaro team at Suzuki would be nice and clean. KTM can then go after one of the satellite guys, like Petrux or Barbera.

[m9hundo]

This will be exciting as it unfolds. I had no idea Malboro was the major backer of Ducati, hence the major deal they're offering to JLo.

http://www.cyclenews.com/2016/04/article/motogp-jorge-lorenzo-set-to-join-ducati/

[ute]

IF Jorghey does go to Ducati, he would be dumb not to want to keep Dovi as his teammate. Dovi is a great #2 rider, not so much a #1. If there's one thing that he does well is block other riders. Imagine the scenario where Dovi qualifies in the front row and Rossi on the second row. If Jorghey gets poll and Dovi is right behind, he is practically assured a clear track for the first few laps while the rest of the Aliens find their way around the human speed bump. Ducati would love it because they don't really care to have their riders first and second, the manufacturers' points only come from the top finisher. Iannone is more of a loose canon and I can already see the wall coming up the first time Crazy Joe makes an aggressive move on the douchebag.

Good points , that does make sense

[duccarlos]

Apparently the rumor mill is going bonkers. Obviously this one is coming from an Italian source that spoke to Rossi. It's pretty much speculation, but if there's a signed deal, I doubt Ducati will be able to keep it under raps until Jerez

http://www.morebikes.co.uk/rossi-confirms-lorenzo-ducati-deal-is-done-he-had-the-balls-he-will-do-well/


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[triangleforge]

Apparently the rumor mill is going bonkers. Obviously this one is coming from an Italian source that spoke to Rossi. It's pretty much speculation, but if there's a signed deal, I doubt Ducati will be able to keep it under raps until Jerez

I imagine you're right - and if Rossi knows one way or the other, the number of folks who'd need to keep the secret would have to be in the dozens, not the handful of principal players and lawyers you'd conceivably be able to manage.

[duccarlos]

It's plausible that Jorghey told Yamaha that the deal was signed and Yamaha told Rossi. The fact that no one is denying it is more telling.

[MadDuck]

If the secondary rumor of Iannone being out at the end of the season is true imagine what that does for one's morale & motivation...........

[triangleforge]

Not to mention your willingness to take an overly ambitious move up the inside on your own teammate...

(For the record, Iannone's explanation of the incident is that he didn't expect to make a pass, but was instead blocking an expected pass by Rossi & thereby protecting the team's spots on the podium. I guess only he knows for sure what was in his head at that moment.)

[greycode]

Dean & co over at Soup say it's a done deal (for what that's worth), as well: http://superbikeplanet.com/2016/Apr/160410mnx.htm

Not happy about Boy George riding for Ducati, but such is life. I hope they ditch Dovi, just to keep things interesting. I don't think Dovi has it in him to win. Iannone does, if he can calm it down a bit. And, if worse comes to worst, at least he'll be torpedoing Whorehey.

[triangleforge]

OK, I'll officially turn in my skeptics badge; that sounds pretty definitive.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Lorenzo on the red bike, and the fact that he's willing to take a risk & make a change counts for me on the plus side of my opinion of him.

I like Crazy Joe, too, but this year Dovi has shown better race pace. I can picture him fighting his way to the top step, while when I try to imagine Iannone trying a last-turn bid for the lead I keep seeing him taking out the entire podium...

[ducpainter]

I don't necessarily believe that Soup article. You'reghey didn't ride in a separate car. He ditched the whole circus after his warmup crash.

I'll believe it when...

a) Yamaha announces they've signed someone besides You'reghey

b) I see him in red leathers.

I still think it's a bad move for Ducati. He's too rigid to ride a bike that's still in development. I'd much rather see kopf's boy in red.

[duccarlos]

I still think it's a bad move for Ducati. He's too rigid to ride a bike that's still in development. I'd much rather see kopf's boy in red.

+1 but that's a personal choice. Lorenzo is still 1 of 4 people with the skills to consistently win. Unfortunately Vinales is still a gamble.

Again, no one has even attempted to deny it. We will know in less than 2 weeks.

[greycode]

He ditched the whole circus after his warmup crash.

I'd much rather see kopf's boy in red.

Part of the reason I don't like Boy George. He's not as mentally tough as he thinks he is. Shirking his PR responsibilities because he had a get off during warmup? Get over yourself. Same thing with getting booed last year. Either work on your image, or stop getting butthurt because people don't like you.

On the other hand, I'd love to see Mav in red...

[kopfjäger]

When this goes down, there's gonna be limited seating on the 'bandwagon' so you guys better reserve your seats early. 

[koko64]

Seat Reserved.  I wanna see Ducati win again.