So what happens to Marco's spot on the Honda MotoGP team next year?

[garry]

Think Dovi will get a shot to stay on the team? Just eliminate the spot and run two bikes?

[scottzilla]

A little too soon dude.  

[phoenix]

pretty sure Dovi already signed a contract with Tech 3 Yamaha.

Might become an opportunity for someone like Mark Marquez.

[garry]

pretty sure Dovi already signed a contract with Tech 3 Yamaha.

Might become an opportunity for someone like Mark Marquez.

I know it's really soon after Marco's tragic accident (RIP, no disrespect intended), but that is arguably the most valuable seat on the grid given Honda's success this year and it's the middle of silly season with 2012 testing right after the last race.

[Snowdog]

Gresini  were rather dependent on the sponsorship Marco brought in, the future of the team is not guaranteed without him.

[DredheadV2.0]

^ that

Marquez has already said he'd stay in Moto2 in 2012 - not sure how his Repsol sponsorship would translate to Gresini's team if he did go to MotoGP, though - would they fund 3 bikes again?  Dovi's already signed, Aoyama's gone to Ten Kate.  

Hector Barbera, OTOH, is a pretty good talent and with Aspar switching to CRT next year he's not going to re-up with them.  I know he was finalizing talks with Pramac to ride one of their GP12s next year, but maybe he'll put those talks on hold for the chance to ride what looks to be a better bike.  There's also Bautista, who might be looking for a seat if Suzuki doesn't return.  Both those guys were nearly Simoncelli's equal in 250cc, and have both shown great progress on 2nd-rate bikes this year.

Whatever happens, happens, but the loss of Simoncelli to the grid is a loss for all fans, in a season that was already looking weak.

[tomek]

That second Gresini bike is HRC works machine . Honda will not allow just anyone to  ride it , or maybe they use this , ehh , "opportunity"   to go down to  two works bikes .
I`d say Marquez will get that ride despite what has been said , or Gresini does not get HRC bike .

His sponsorship - technically he cannot go straight to Repsol  MotoGp anyway , the rules say no rookies on factory teams , so I dunno .

[DredheadV2.0]

That second Gresini bike is HRC works machine . Honda will not allow just anyone to  ride it , or maybe they use this , ehh , "opportunity"   to go down to  two works bikes .
I`d say Marquez will get that ride despite what has been said , or Gresini does not get HRC bike .

His sponsorship - technically he cannot go straight to Repsol  MotoGp anyway , the rules say no rookies on factory teams , so I dunno .

Can Repsol/Caixa Catalunya throw money at Gresini Honda, or can Caixa Catalunya do it on their own?  I think that (up until last week) Marquez & Co were going to field their own 2013 team in MotoGP backed by Caixa Catalunya, no doubt with a works bike for Marc.  With this shakeup, will the rules allow Marc to take his sponsors to Fausto's team if he wants to hop on the big bike next year?  I gather Repsol money could not, since they sponsor the factory team and Marc's a rookie.  I'm just wondering how much back-alley horse trading is allowed in MotoGP, if any.