MotoGP Silly season

[Yamadog]

First it was Hopper to Kawi, the Melandri to Ducati, and Capirossi potentially to Suzuki replacing Hopper (or a third Duck).

Now comes: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61133

Yamaha confirm Lorenzo for 2008

By Glenn Freeman    Wednesday, July 25th 2007, 10:25 GMT

Yamaha have confirmed that reigning 250cc world champion Jorge Lorenzo will ride for them in MotoGP in 2008.

The Spanish rider has been linked to securing a ride with the manufacturer for a long time, although Yamaha did not announce if he would partner Valentino Rossi in the same team.

A statement from Yamaha said: "Jorge Lorenzo will make his MotoGP debut in 2008 aboard a YZR-M1, with direct factory support.

"The exact structure of Yamaha's team and rider organisation is still under consideration at the present time. Further details, including Lorenzo's team structure, will be announced in due course."

Lorenzo is currently leading the 250cc championship riding an Aprilia, although Yamaha have made no secret of their interest in the 20-year-old.

"Yamaha has been watching Jorge's career with interest for some time and we are delighted that he will be joining our MotoGP line-up from next season," said Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing.

"We are sure that he will be a valuable asset for the future and we look forward to the commencement of his MotoGP career with Yamaha."

[Mr Sunshine]

Why do you call it the "silly season"?  People are just looking for the best job for them.  Nothing silly about that.

[DogBoy]

Silly season is a term that has been used for years to describe the contract negotiations that are often a distraction from the actual racing season in all forms of motorsports. I'm not sure of the origin of the term but I've heard it used for over 20 years.

[jerome_oneil]

Silly season is a term that has been used for years to describe the contract negotiations that are often a distraction from the actual racing season in all forms of motorsports. I'm not sure of the origin of the term but I've heard it used for over 20 years.

It's also used in professional golf to describe the tournament's played after the fourth major has been completed.

[Mookie]

Place your bets on where Colin ends up

I'm going to vote World Superbikes, maybe taking over Toseland's ride if he jumps to GPs

[DogBoy]

It's also used in professional golf to describe the tournament's played after the fourth major has been completed.

No gol...gawf...gull...gah. I can't even bring myself type the word. No talk of lawn bowling, croquet or similar sports in Pit Row.

[Lawn Dart]

It's really the silly season because Stoner's gonna run away with the title despite Rossi's best efforts.  That Duc is just plain fast.

[atypical1]

It's really the silly season because Stoner's gonna run away with the title despite Rossi's best efforts.  That Duc is just plain fast.

No, it is God-Damned fast!  

[bizarro]

I wasn't aware of any rumors about Colin. I thought he was staying put with Rossi at Yamaha?

[Mookie]

I wasn't aware of any rumors about Colin. I thought he was staying put with Rossi at Yamaha?

Did you miss the first post?  Lorenzo is in at Yamaha next year and I kind of doubt they are gonna boot Rossi for him.  Unless Factory Yamaha decides to run 3 bikes, which would be odd.

[bizarro]

One would think there'd be an announcement of Edward's departure though. I thought the first post said direct factory support, that doesn't mean he's on Rossi's team.

[Mookie]

One would think there'd be an announcement of Edward's departure though. I thought the first post said direct factory support, that doesn't mean he's on Rossi's team.

Well, maybe they are going to make up a whole 'nother team, cause I don't see them putting him on a satelite team running on crappy dunlops  

[Allan]

It's really the silly season because Stoner's gonna run away with the title despite Rossi's best efforts.  That Duc is just plain fast.

Give credit where credit is due. Stoner is riding the Duc like its on rails. If it was just the bike id be a 1-2 Stoner Capirossi top billing.

[kevrider]

Well, maybe they are going to make up a whole 'nother team, cause I don't see them putting him on a satelite team running on crappy dunlops  

don't assume that the dunlop team will be a dunlop team next year.

- Edwards could take Michelin to Tech Trois.
- they could (and should) run 'stones.
- Lorenzo could go there.
- Lorenzo could have his own one-bike team.
- they might (and should) get better supprt from Yamaha, a la Gresini or better.

there's a reason they didn't announce his team... they don't know yet.  i think the factories have figure out that they need to have a strong bike/rider or two on Michelins and a strong bike/rider or two on 'stones.  Honda got it last year, they just finally got around to putting a bike under Melandri.  too late, though.  now Yamaha may make a similar move with Tech 3.  

if Ducati are smart (and the contract allows it) they would put D'Antin on Michelins.  ya gotta hedge.  another plus for the satellite teams if they run diff tires from the factory... the potential to beat the factory on any given weekend.  aside from Gresini, none of them can expect that to happen now.

about Edwards: read this.

i vote that he replaces DiSalvo, but in '09 or '10.  not just yet.  

[Mookie]

That would be awesome to see him in AMA.  Lord knows we need more top tier riders to make the racing more interesting (and more respected outside the US).

[DFH]

Give credit where credit is due. Stoner is riding the Duc like its on rails. If it was just the bike id be a 1-2 Stoner Capirossi top billing.

......and Barros and the Hoff 3rd & 4th.... Remember unlike the situation a Yamaha their bikes are the same as the factory Ducks with the same tyres.

Its not like the ( bad) old Repsol Honda days with Doohan, Creville and Okada 1,2 &3 in the championship and the only interest being the order of Repsol Hondas on the podium.

DFH

[Nugroho]

No, it is God-Damned fast!  

+ 70 degree on turn.. Wow.. = Stoner is Damned Good and Cool..

[Yamadog]

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/daisy/archive/2007/07/26/263127.aspx

here is a snip

With all the news emerging about riders switching teams for the 2008 season with only half the season done, MotoGP followers were expressing incredulity that the "Silly Season" had started so early. Now, it just got worse: For the first news is starting to emerge about the 2009 season, some 17 months away.

Motorcycle News is reporting that Ben Spies believes he has a deal to ride with Suzuki in MotoGP in 2009. Spies told MCN that he really wanted to ride in MotoGP next year, but with Chris Vermeulen already signed, Suzuki being close to a deal with Loris Capirossi, and the chances of a third Suzuki bike running next year looking increasingly unlikely, the possibility of switching was not open to Spies for 2008. Spies also stated that he expects to have several wildcard rides next year, as preparation for a full-time switch in 2009.

[Busy Little Whiner]

+ 70 degree on turn.. Wow.. = Stoner is Damned Good and Cool..

Amen... a V4 racer will give you the cool confident to crank it over...

[Yamadog]

Another seat taken. I hope James does well but those non-factory seats are not the best way to go for sure.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=29791

[Mookie]

If Tech 3 switches to Bridgestones next year it could work out decently

[ZX10BURNER]

I agree with Mookie would be great to see Colin in AMA, that would shake things up quite a bit.  Btw he's never won the AMA title so that would be something to motivate him to ride.  

[Yamadog]

From autosport.com

Loris Capirossi says Ducati's announcement that they had signed Marco Melandri to ride alongside Casey Stoner in 2008 was like being "stabbed twice".

"The thing that hurt me, as a man, is that no one told me anything beforehand," the Italian told Motosprint of the deal that was announced at the US GP. "I was in the pits, watching the last part of a race that for me ended as soon as it had started.

"A journalist comes over with a sheet in his hand that read 'Ducati announces that Stoner and Melandri will be their drivers for the next two seasons.' It was like being stabbed twice.

"I knew about the option on Melandri. It was written everywhere. But Livio Suppo talked to me about it only in America, without adding anything else."

He added: "I chose Ducati when the bike didn't yet exist, when it was just on paper. I took up the Bridgestone challenge when it wasn't yet competitive. If the bike and the tyres are winning now, then it's also thanks to me for putting them on the right track.

"(The job has been) paid handsomely, but there must be some gratitude. I'm a romantic, I place respect ahead. Things must be done methodically, with some elegance."

The veteran rider has been offered a Ducati ride next year, with the Italian squad saying they would field a third bike for him.

But Capirossi has insisted that his position would not be the same as Stoner or Melandri.

"In the end it's not really a third bike," he added. "I would have to race with Team Pramac d'Antin, but (Pramac owner) Paolo Campinoti was totally oblivious about this... And I wouldn't have my race engineer anymore."

Capirossi said Kawasaki is interested in him, and he plans to give Ducati an answer about his future by the next race in Brno.

The Italian, however, has ruled out retiring from the sport.

"No. I'm absolutely not quitting," he added. "And even if I quit I wouldn't stay as marketing testimonial. They haven't been honest with me the way I was with them.

"Kawasaki want me too. I'm taking the time to give Ducati an answer by Brno."

Loris, it's a performance business! Should have ridden faster man. Now no more whinging.

[Scoop]

+ 70 degree on turn.. Wow.. = Stoner is Damned Good and Cool..

Ya, but he still looks like Howdy Doody, no matter how fast he is!  

[highside]

I have a hard time seeing Lorenzo and Rossi coexisting on the same team. Lorenzo seems to have an odd sort of personality that demands a lot of attention, and Rossi is similar enough that it could create some serious problems. As far as i know there is only one fully supported Yamaha team, so it would seem that is how it is going to work.

The thing is that Edwards isnt such a bad rider that they can't find a place for him in Moto GP. He provides good support to Rossi and is quite happy to play second fiddle to him. That is a team combination that seems to work.  I doubt very much that Lorenzo would present those qualities. When you have Rossi on your team it really doesnt matter where the other rider finishes as long as he doesnt get in Rossi's way. The lack of any announcement regarding the fate of Edwards is a little puzzling too. I kinda suspect that the cryptic nature of the announcement is deliberate and that in the end things arent going to be quite as compelling as they seem now.

[cooter]

 

Another great rumor is the report of a teeny-tiny shadow in Repsol orange sneaking in the back door of the Suzuki trailer at a couple of events this summer.

 

[Yamadog]

 

Another great rumor is the report of a teeny-tiny shadow in Repsol orange sneaking in the back door of the Suzuki trailer at a couple of events this summer.

 

Or was it the Kawi?

The MotoGP paddock has spent a long time waiting for Dani Pedrosa to finally sign the new contract which HRC have waiting for him. It was thought that much of the delay was due to disagreements about the length of the contract, with HRC wanting Pedrosa to sign for 3 years, while Pedrosa only wanted to extend for a single year. With Pedrosa's displeasure with HRC becoming ever more public, delaying signing the contract seemed understandable, but rather pointless. After all, where, realistically, could Pedrosa go?

The answer to that is Kawasaki, according to Spanish sports daily AS.com. Although the move seems risky, as despite Honda's problems with the RC212V this year, you wouldn't bet against the Japanese giant not catching up next year, but there is more to it than just bikes. Pedrosa is also believed to be disgusted with the Michelin tires, and switching to Kawasaki would also guarantee a switch to Bridgestone tires. Kawasaki is said to be helping the negotiations along by offering a much more generous financial package than Honda, as having both John Hopkins and Dani Pedrosa sharing a garage would virtually guarantee success.

Although it's too early to tell just how much of this will come to fruition, it would be a fascinating and brave move by Pedrosa. And the mere mention of Pedrosa leaving Honda could put enough pressure on HRC to decide to switch to Bridgestones, in order to keep the Spaniard. The tire wars are claiming ever more casualties, and with Yamaha rumored to be considering a switch to Bridgestones, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that there will be not one but two tire manufacturers leaving the MotoGP series at the end of the year.

[Orson]

Although the move seems risky, as despite Honda's problems with the RC212V this year, you wouldn't bet against the Japanese giant not catching up next year

Yah...Honda is the 900 pound gorilla. If they don't bounce back, it will be seen as a sure sign that Soichiro's spirit really has perished.

Kudos to Dani if he does make the switch. It would be a brave man that would give up what is seen as the best seat in GP racing.

Doohan pondered making the switch to Yamaha but never managed to pull the trigger.

[Busy Little Whiner]

Yah...Honda is the 900 pound gorilla. If they don't bounce back, it will be seen as a sure sign that Soichiro's spirit really has perished.

Don't worry Orson... Soichiro's spirit will always be alive and well at the Sac Ca annex of HRC famously
know as the BLS...

[LicketySplat]

I wish I knew enough Spanish to have a sense of Pedrosa's fan base. That is, what value he really brings to a team, besides enhancing the power-to-weight ratio anyway.

With just a minimal amount of Spanish, it's plain that Carlos Checa enjoys ten times the fan support that Pedrosa has, even with one-tenth of his success. Sullen is sullen in any language. Add in the fact that Pedrosa has never ridden for anyone but Honda in his professional life, and you've gotta wonder: does anyone else really WANT him?

[Tyrroneous]

Its weird, but I somehow feel as if I'll like Dani more if he switches to Kawasaki.  Right now, Dani riding for honda is like one huge emotionless robot controlling another, small robot.  If Kawi has the cash, and Dani has the robotic balls to do it...I'd have to give him some credit.  

But, Kropotkin had mentioned that Kawi blew almost their whole stash on Hoppers and only had enough coin left over for a second tier rider like West or DePuniet.  Dani won't come cheap.  Maybe Kawasaki has got a few more bills stuffed under a mattress somewhere...

[spinmaster]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Aug/070824a.htm

de Puniet Signs With Honda

Hello and welcome to one of the most interesting silly seasons in recent memory. Current Kawasaki MotoGP rider Randy de Puniet has signed a two year deal to race for the LCR Honda team.

Current Suzuki man John Hopkins is signed to Kawasaki for 2008 and Loris Capirossi will be leaving Ducati to race a Suzuki.

More rider changes are expected to be announced soon.


de Puniet rode for the LCR team as a 250 rider.

[Mr Sunshine]

Maybe Kawasaki has got a few more bills stuffed under a mattress somewhere...

They save so much money with running their parts bin bikes for so long.  

That and their heavy industries....

[Tyrroneous]

Well, it appears Kawi didn't have too far to look to find a second rider for the 2008 season.  Anthony West will be staying on with Kawasaki next year.  

Nakano and Tomada are most likely on their way out of the MotoGP circus...which means no Japanese riders in an arena made up largely of Japanese manufacturers.  

[squeezer]

Well, it appears Kawi didn't have too far to look to find a second rider for the 2008 season.  Anthony West will be staying on with Kawasaki next year.  

Nakano and Tomada are most likely on their way out of the MotoGP circus...which means no Japanese riders in an arena made up largely of Japanese manufacturers.  

That's great news about West.  And I'll be surprised if there are no Japanese riders next year.  If all current seats get filled, I imagine Honda would create a new satellite team.  I mean, they did that for F1.

[Yamadog]

Good for Ant West! He has shown well this year and deserves the seat IMO.