7 Races of the 18-race season of MotoGP 2012 has already been finished. We only know the fate of 4 riders for sure. The shocker at Le Mans (which the whole motorsports world knows by now) was Casey Stoner retiring at the end of this season. Jorge Lorenzo has listened to his 'heart' and has signed up with Yamaha for another two seasons. While Stefan Bradl has a contract for 2014 with LCR Honda, Bradley Smith looks certain to enter MotoGP with the Tech-3 Yamaha next season. With Valentino Rossi extremely unhappy with how his career trajectory is going with Ducati, question is where will he go for the next season?
Honda
Lets put the situations on the table. With the Rookie Rule to be dropped for 2013, the seats at the Repsol Honda team are filled. Marc Marquez, the golden boy of Moto2 is bringing in his army for the next season to Repsol Honda (Casey Stoner's crew are still free agents the last I heard). HRC Vice-President Shuhei Nakamoto also said that Repsol Honda were keen on resigning Dani Pedrosa for the next season. However, even if a seat was available Rossi wouldn't have got one due to the not-so-cold war between the HRC and himself. Rossi had stated in his biography that Honda was all about the machines and not about the riders. HRC weren't too happy with the 9-time world champion's perspective of things. With Casey Stoner retiring, Shuhei Nakamoto admitted of possibilities of Rossi on a Honda but a satellite one only. Not what the fans want but Rossi on a competitive bike is better than Rossi on a bike that refuses to give the 'front-end feel'.
Yamaha
Like I said earlier, Lorenzo will continue with Yamaha for another two seasons. The 2010 World Champion said that it was tough decision as Repsol Honda too had put a proposition on the table. It was then matched with even a better offer from Yamaha. Lorenzo later said that he had listened to his heart and was extremely happy with Yamaha. Later he joked about keeping the door open for Stoner to return if he ever changes his mind about retiring. Next question. What will happen to Ben Spies? The Texan hasn't had a very good start for the year. Being 11th in the World Championship points on a factory bike isn't exactly what the management mean by results. Sure, Ben is trying his best but mistakes on the track can prove too costly. He looked like he got the rhythm at Catalunya but a mistake of going wide and a small spill cost him a lot. At Silverstone, he looked like the Ben at Assen last year. Riding splendidly for 5-6 laps but gave up positions in a hurry with a similar mistake of going wide. He also later stated that the rear-tyre had lost grip early and was sliding a bit. From a business point of view, "Well Lorenzo got on didn't he?" Each rider has a different style, but Ben Spies better start working out something cause its nearing halfway to the season already.
Surely, Cal Crutchlow is the best contender for the factory seat next year unless he doesn't get eclipsed by Andrea Doviziozo. The Tech-3 teammates have done immensely for a a satellite team.They have given the factory machines a run for their money (even Honda at times!). Cal Crutchlow's recent ride at Silverstone from the back of the grid to 6th was Championship material. Riding from the last to 6th is indeed an incredible performance but what makes it more awesome is the fact that he had done it on a broken ankle! Cal later had to prove himself at the Clinical Mobile of his fitness by doing ankle push-ups and also a bit of jogging from one end of the room to another. He called it 'f***ing murder!'. You wouldn't have done it and neither would have I but thats what makes MotoGP riders different from others. If given a factory seat, rest assured Cal (along with Jorge) will be the person to beat next year.
His teammate, Andrea Doviziozo is firing from all cylinders to get his hands on the factory M1 on factory colors. The Italian has made it clear of his intentions for a factory ride. With experiences of factory rides till last year (Repsol Honda) and a podium this year, Andrea has managed to convince people that he can adapt to the Yamaha easily as well. In an interview to GPone.com he said that whatever results he achieved in MotoGP, it was through plain hard work and proving people wrong unlike 'some people' who had their charisma or sponsors to help them along the way.
With so much going on, Valentino Rossi has still chances to get a factory Yamaha seat. But it appears real bleak. Rossi had recently stated that his best years were at Yamaha. However, the Jorge-Rossi rivalry might be resurrected and Yamaha as a constructor don't really want problems in the inside. Rossi also had suffered on various levels due to Lorenzo as it was constantly difficult to beat the Mallorcan with both being on the same competitive rides. The Barcelona race (2009) should answer the rest of your questions.
Ducati
Its been a constant war with the Ducati factory ride ever since Qatar 2011. The Italian dream that made the front pages of all the motorsports magazines all over the world was marred by dismal performances throughout the year. The blame was front-end feel last year and this year too it seems to be going on similar lines. Rossi' strong points have always been braking and corner-entry but the GP12 doesn't seem to allow him to do that. Instead, Rossi is now sliding and turning in with rear due to the lack of the front end wheel which doesn't exactly suit his riding style.
His teammate, Nicky Hayden on the other hand is showing signs of riding a bike that might just be competitive. Staying with the front group for 4-6 laps has shown that the GP12 is competitive but Nicky could not manage the rear-tyre and it lost grip quickly. This according to him is due to excess stress on the rear to slide and turn which burns the tyre more quickly.
Ducati have brought in a string of developments (major and minor) but there doesn't seem to be much of improvements when it comes to the gap between the factory rides. A new engine will be tested at Mugello and Rossi will have the same and other developments by Laguna Seca. So the pundits point at Laguna Seca as the point of decision for next year.
Rumors, Rumors and More Rumors
Cal Crutchlow has been in talks with the Ducati for a factory ride. Also, Nicky Hayden is most likely to be re-signed for a couple of more years. With Ducati North America being the major market for the Bologna factory, their first choice would be to keep Nicky at Ducati.
Rumors of Moto2 riders, Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding moving up to MotoGP are also doing the rounds. Pol Espargaro, is so far doing a great season. With a crash at Catalunya due to a (famous by now) tiff with Marcquez and coming back and winning at Silverstone has made him a strong contender for the Moto2 title. Superbikeplanet.com have speculated that Pol too might be a 'potential' for the Ducati ride.
Ducati which was recently acquired by Audi has sparked off yet another rumor. That the German MotoGP rookie and Moto2 2011 World Champion might be in the sights of Ducati. But LCR Team Principle and owner, Lucio Cechinello immediately dismissed this rumor stating that he had already a contract for 2013 and factory teams involving might only complicate stuff.
So where will Valentino Rossi go?
Thats the question on everyone's mind. There are numerous possibilities. Rossi definitely likes challenges but not so much that it takes him years to accomplish stuff. Besides, the man might be a maximum two-three more years at the sport.
Valentino Rossi on a private team with a factory-spec Honda RC213V is a possibility. With the army of sponsors he has, that will not be a problem.However, the 4 bikes per factory rule might be big problem here.
Rossi on a Yamaha will make him instantly competitive. But Tech-3 Yamaha already have problems allocating rides to their current and future riders. Again, the 4-bikes per factory rule poses a problem.
In a nutshell, Rossi might get a Yamaha factory seat (the probability is laughable) else he might chose to stay at Ducati and endure it which hopefully for him might be fruitful for the future seasons.
Mugello and Laguna Seca hold lots of answers and we will have to contend with speculations and discussions in the meantime.
- Pushkar Bhatt
Honda
Lets put the situations on the table. With the Rookie Rule to be dropped for 2013, the seats at the Repsol Honda team are filled. Marc Marquez, the golden boy of Moto2 is bringing in his army for the next season to Repsol Honda (Casey Stoner's crew are still free agents the last I heard). HRC Vice-President Shuhei Nakamoto also said that Repsol Honda were keen on resigning Dani Pedrosa for the next season. However, even if a seat was available Rossi wouldn't have got one due to the not-so-cold war between the HRC and himself. Rossi had stated in his biography that Honda was all about the machines and not about the riders. HRC weren't too happy with the 9-time world champion's perspective of things. With Casey Stoner retiring, Shuhei Nakamoto admitted of possibilities of Rossi on a Honda but a satellite one only. Not what the fans want but Rossi on a competitive bike is better than Rossi on a bike that refuses to give the 'front-end feel'.
Yamaha
Like I said earlier, Lorenzo will continue with Yamaha for another two seasons. The 2010 World Champion said that it was tough decision as Repsol Honda too had put a proposition on the table. It was then matched with even a better offer from Yamaha. Lorenzo later said that he had listened to his heart and was extremely happy with Yamaha. Later he joked about keeping the door open for Stoner to return if he ever changes his mind about retiring. Next question. What will happen to Ben Spies? The Texan hasn't had a very good start for the year. Being 11th in the World Championship points on a factory bike isn't exactly what the management mean by results. Sure, Ben is trying his best but mistakes on the track can prove too costly. He looked like he got the rhythm at Catalunya but a mistake of going wide and a small spill cost him a lot. At Silverstone, he looked like the Ben at Assen last year. Riding splendidly for 5-6 laps but gave up positions in a hurry with a similar mistake of going wide. He also later stated that the rear-tyre had lost grip early and was sliding a bit. From a business point of view, "Well Lorenzo got on didn't he?" Each rider has a different style, but Ben Spies better start working out something cause its nearing halfway to the season already.
Surely, Cal Crutchlow is the best contender for the factory seat next year unless he doesn't get eclipsed by Andrea Doviziozo. The Tech-3 teammates have done immensely for a a satellite team.They have given the factory machines a run for their money (even Honda at times!). Cal Crutchlow's recent ride at Silverstone from the back of the grid to 6th was Championship material. Riding from the last to 6th is indeed an incredible performance but what makes it more awesome is the fact that he had done it on a broken ankle! Cal later had to prove himself at the Clinical Mobile of his fitness by doing ankle push-ups and also a bit of jogging from one end of the room to another. He called it 'f***ing murder!'. You wouldn't have done it and neither would have I but thats what makes MotoGP riders different from others. If given a factory seat, rest assured Cal (along with Jorge) will be the person to beat next year.
His teammate, Andrea Doviziozo is firing from all cylinders to get his hands on the factory M1 on factory colors. The Italian has made it clear of his intentions for a factory ride. With experiences of factory rides till last year (Repsol Honda) and a podium this year, Andrea has managed to convince people that he can adapt to the Yamaha easily as well. In an interview to GPone.com he said that whatever results he achieved in MotoGP, it was through plain hard work and proving people wrong unlike 'some people' who had their charisma or sponsors to help them along the way.
With so much going on, Valentino Rossi has still chances to get a factory Yamaha seat. But it appears real bleak. Rossi had recently stated that his best years were at Yamaha. However, the Jorge-Rossi rivalry might be resurrected and Yamaha as a constructor don't really want problems in the inside. Rossi also had suffered on various levels due to Lorenzo as it was constantly difficult to beat the Mallorcan with both being on the same competitive rides. The Barcelona race (2009) should answer the rest of your questions.
Ducati
Its been a constant war with the Ducati factory ride ever since Qatar 2011. The Italian dream that made the front pages of all the motorsports magazines all over the world was marred by dismal performances throughout the year. The blame was front-end feel last year and this year too it seems to be going on similar lines. Rossi' strong points have always been braking and corner-entry but the GP12 doesn't seem to allow him to do that. Instead, Rossi is now sliding and turning in with rear due to the lack of the front end wheel which doesn't exactly suit his riding style.
His teammate, Nicky Hayden on the other hand is showing signs of riding a bike that might just be competitive. Staying with the front group for 4-6 laps has shown that the GP12 is competitive but Nicky could not manage the rear-tyre and it lost grip quickly. This according to him is due to excess stress on the rear to slide and turn which burns the tyre more quickly.
Ducati have brought in a string of developments (major and minor) but there doesn't seem to be much of improvements when it comes to the gap between the factory rides. A new engine will be tested at Mugello and Rossi will have the same and other developments by Laguna Seca. So the pundits point at Laguna Seca as the point of decision for next year.
Rumors, Rumors and More Rumors
Cal Crutchlow has been in talks with the Ducati for a factory ride. Also, Nicky Hayden is most likely to be re-signed for a couple of more years. With Ducati North America being the major market for the Bologna factory, their first choice would be to keep Nicky at Ducati.
Rumors of Moto2 riders, Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding moving up to MotoGP are also doing the rounds. Pol Espargaro, is so far doing a great season. With a crash at Catalunya due to a (famous by now) tiff with Marcquez and coming back and winning at Silverstone has made him a strong contender for the Moto2 title. Superbikeplanet.com have speculated that Pol too might be a 'potential' for the Ducati ride.
Ducati which was recently acquired by Audi has sparked off yet another rumor. That the German MotoGP rookie and Moto2 2011 World Champion might be in the sights of Ducati. But LCR Team Principle and owner, Lucio Cechinello immediately dismissed this rumor stating that he had already a contract for 2013 and factory teams involving might only complicate stuff.
So where will Valentino Rossi go?
Thats the question on everyone's mind. There are numerous possibilities. Rossi definitely likes challenges but not so much that it takes him years to accomplish stuff. Besides, the man might be a maximum two-three more years at the sport.
Valentino Rossi on a private team with a factory-spec Honda RC213V is a possibility. With the army of sponsors he has, that will not be a problem.However, the 4 bikes per factory rule might be big problem here.
Rossi on a Yamaha will make him instantly competitive. But Tech-3 Yamaha already have problems allocating rides to their current and future riders. Again, the 4-bikes per factory rule poses a problem.
In a nutshell, Rossi might get a Yamaha factory seat (the probability is laughable) else he might chose to stay at Ducati and endure it which hopefully for him might be fruitful for the future seasons.
Mugello and Laguna Seca hold lots of answers and we will have to contend with speculations and discussions in the meantime.
- Pushkar Bhatt
No comments:
Post a Comment