Marco Melandri off to WSBK

[White trash]

I see mr Melandri has signed with Yamaha Sterilgarda team for 2011.

It's nice to see the Superbike and GP riders moving between the two classes now. Shows that the transition is not as difficult as it was once upon a time.

[riffer]

I dunno Jimmy. Melandri hasn't really been riding with the frontrunners since he left 250s to go to MotoGP. Perhaps he never got a capable bike; perhaps he never really had what it took. Still seems like WSBK is the home for failed MotoGP riders.

[Mental Trousers]

Word was he was headed to BMW so this is a bit of a surprise.

Some classes just don't bring out the best in certain riders. WSBK may actually be better suited to Melandri than MotoGP was because the riders are able to ride around problems on a Superbike. Try that sort of thing on a MotoGP bike and you're gonna get hurt.

Jimmy's a fast c**t but he's not so shit hot with a pc so here's one of those linky things http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4273-yamaha-sterilgarda-confirms-marco-melandri-for-2011-.html

[White trash]

Jimmy's a fast c**t but he's not so shit hot with a pc so here's one of those linky things http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4273-yamaha-sterilgarda-confirms-marco-melandri-for-2011-.html

Thanks for that mate.

But actually, I'm just your average, run of the mill cunt.

Amazes me the flashes of sheer brilliance we saw from Melandri riding a machine that hadn't been touched for almost two years. Earns himself a semi comprtitive ride and goes backwards again. It took Biaggi a couple of years to get his fingers around the WSBK trophy but it seems that's as good as done now and yet Careless Chucka has only sporadically run at the front. Weird old world is top level bike racing.....

[NZsarge]

Also heard them mumbling something on the WSBK broadcast about Massimo Meregalli going to Yamaha Moto GP pretty much slot into Jeremy Burgess' spot.... Massimo and Spies back together again?

[sosman]

Here's some interesting stuff http://www.twowheelsblog.com/record/10

[discodan]

Melandri is an awesome rider no doubt. His problem is that he needs to be injured or on a shit bike to make him the under dog. Don't know why Fausto Gresini hasn't caught onto this and given him the bash before he gets on the bike?

It's hard to predict how he will do in WSBK but he is definitely capable of winning races if he is in the right frame of mind.

[White trash]

Melandri is an awesome rider no doubt. His problem is that he needs to be injured or on a shit bike to make him the under dog. Don't know why Fausto Gresini hasn't caught onto this and given him the bash before he gets on the bike?

Fucken awesome concept Dan! Thanks for that. I'm going to try it on Deano at Round V this month :)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Fucken awesome concept Dan! Thanks for that. I'm going to try it on Deano at Round V this month :)

I know when Mark Boyle was doing the Nats with Darryl King, he used to pour iced water down the back of his neck on the start line! That seemed to work!

[denill]

Been out of the loop for a few weeks and wondering - what's the word on Jerry Burgess in 2011?

[White trash]

Been out of the loop for a few weeks and wondering - what's the word on Jerry Burgess in 2011?

Only one word. "Pasta"

[denill]

Only one word. "Pasta"

Is that your take? Or is it official?

[White trash]

Is that your take? Or is it official?

Just what I hear around the campfire. Would make sense if the Massamo roumor mill is correct also.

But honestly, I have no freaking idea as I can't find anything in writing.

[denill]

Just what I hear around the campfire. Would make sense if the Massamo roumor mill is correct also.

But honestly, I have no freaking idea as I can't find anything in writing.

He's going to have make the decision of 'will I stay, or will I go' soon............

I would have thought that that if Rossi had included him in the deal with Ducati (As he did in his last move) the decision would have been made then and then.

[Deano]

Fucken awesome concept Dan! Thanks for that. I'm going to try it on Deano at Round V this month :)

LOL - you might have to hunt down the SV's misfire for me first !!

[White trash]

He's going to have make the decision of 'will I stay, or will I go' soon............

I would have thought that that if Rossi had included him in the deal with Ducati (As he did in his last move) the decision would have been made then and then.

Agreed. The decision will certainly have already been made, just can't understand why it's not common knowledge. Unless Ducati are still negotiating the financial side with him. Who knows.

[discodan]

Fucken awesome concept Dan! Thanks for that. I'm going to try it on Deano at Round V this month :)

Well you might as well. It's not like there is anything to lose but I read somewhere that he used to do kick boxing so blows to the head might not affect him any more... :innocent:

[White trash]

Well you might as well. It's not like there is anything to lose but I read somewhere that he used to do kick boxing so blows to the head might not affect him any more... :innocent:

Personally son, I'd be a little more concerned with the blows he can dish out. Having been kicked behind the left ear by him once at a party, I can assure you it aint pleasant. And we were only playing!

[roogazza]

Personally son, I'd be a little more concerned with the blows he can dish out. Having been kicked behind the left ear by him once at a party, I can assure you it aint pleasant. And we were only playing!

LOL nice to know he can get his toes behind your ears ! Pfft.

But back to news, I think Laverty has signed to be Melandri team mate.

[Ivan]

LOL nice to know he can get his toes behind your ears ! Pfft

But back to news, I think Laverty has signed to be Melandri team mate.

Yip Laverty has signed as his teammate for 2011 and funny that Melandri was meant to be going BMW and Laverty was all Moto2 earlier this year

[wharfy]

Melandri is an awesome rider no doubt. His problem is that he needs to be injured or on a shit bike to make him the under dog. Don't know why Fausto Gresini hasn't caught onto this and given him the bash before he gets on the bike?


When I was a lad ( Colin Meads was still an All Black ) playing rugby I somehow managed to come out of the first ruck of every game with a blood nose - wasn't until I much latter I found out the captain/coach thought I played better after seeing some of my blood on my sleeve and HE gave me a smack in the nose first ruck of every game -:shit:

I never contemplated "chatting" to him about it - he was really big and a double hard bastard - It had no benefit and I wouldn't recommend it as a motivational technique.

[denill]

But back to news, I think Laverty has signed to be Melandri team mate.

Right Gaz.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100910b.htm

[denill]

It seems that Toseland keeps his job then?

[steveyb]

No!
Laverty + Melandri in the milky Yamaha team, JT talking with Ten Kate Honda again.

[denill]

No!
Laverty + Melandri in the milky Yamaha team,

Duh............. That was neither educated or smart on my part............. :shifty:

[Cleve]

Duh............. That was neither educated or smart on my part............. :shifty:

I imagine German Max will lose his ride at Ten Kate SBK next year. He has been nowhere this year. It has only been Jonny Rea.

[roogazza]

I imagine German Max will lose his ride at Ten Kate SBK next year. He has been nowhere this year. It has only been Jonny Rea.
The experts see a future in Crutchlow, maybe they should give Rea a chance, I enjoy watching him. G.

[denill]

The experts see a future in Crutchlow, maybe they should give Rea a chance, I enjoy watching him. G.

Would seem a good move. He's done well with a package that has been better in past years. He has a good temperament too.

[Cleve]

I imagine German Max will lose his ride at Ten Kate SBK next year. He has been nowhere this year. It has only been Jonny Rea.

Rumour that Max Neukirchner will race Ducati's in MotoGP next year http://motomatters.com/news/2010/09/11/neukirchner_denies_ducati_motogp_rumors.html

[denill]

The experts see a future in Crutchlow, maybe they should give Rea a chance, I enjoy watching him. G.

Rea's back with TenKate in 2011.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100912a.htm

[roogazza]

Rea's back with TenKate in 2011.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100912a.htm
Thanks Bill, I must learn to post up links, I hang in some great places for rumours/news etc.

[sosman]

Ten kate have lost their Haspree sponsers & will be down to a one man team with JR....So dunno whats gonna happent to Toesland. Can't wait to see how Ugene laverty goes on the Yam with Melandri

[NZsarge]

Ten kate have lost their Haspree sponsers & will be down to a one man team with JR...

Wow, how fortunes change in these fickle times.

[denill]

Ten kate have lost their Haspree sponsers

You sure?

The link I posted earlier said, "The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team has confirmed that its rider Jonathan Rea will be aiming his Honda CBR1000RR squarely at the World Superbike championship title once again in 2011."

[gammaguy]

I see mr Melandri has signed with Yamaha Sterilgarda team for 2011.

It's nice to see the Superbike and GP riders moving between the two classes now. Shows that the transition is not as difficult as it was once upon a time.


no it doesnt.

it shows that both classes are becoming as boring and innovation free as each other.

[CHOPPA]

no it doesnt.

it shows that both classes are becoming as boring and innovation free as each other.

The innovations are what makes them boring

[NZsarge]

The innovations are what makes them boring

Reckon, same old rant, ditch the electronics and go back to 1000cc in MotoGP

[White trash]

Reckon, same old rant, ditch the electronics and go back to 1000cc in MotoGP

Yup. No traction control or anti-wheelie. Only homos need that sort of carry on eh Choppa?:shifty:

[denill]

<a href=http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100913a.htm>What we don't yet know is whether Jerry Burgess and the rest of Rossi's pit crew who were instrumental in Valentino's success and especially the development of the M1 will go with him. Rossi says he hope they will; the Aussies are saying nothing. Paddock scuttlebutt is that the crew will go with Vale.</A> And More:

[White trash]

<a href=http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100913a.htm>What we don't yet know is whether Jerry Burgess and the rest of Rossi's pit crew who were instrumental in Valentino's success and especially the development of the M1 will go with him. Rossi says he hope they will; the Aussies are saying nothing. Paddock scuttlebutt is that the crew will go with Vale.</A> And More:

Nice. So now we still don't know :)

Wanna know what I think? He should win a title or two on the Ducati then say "Fuck it, in for a penny in for a pound" and move to Suzuki to become the only rider to ever win championship titles on every manufacturer competeing in the top level class. Now THAT would be sheer brilliance.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Nice. So now we still don't know :)

Wanna know what I think? He should win a title or two on the Ducati then say "Fuck it, in for a penny in for a pound" and move to Suzuki to become the only rider to ever win championship titles on every manufacturer competeing in the top level class. Now THAT would be sheer brilliance.

Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati

[White trash]

Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati

Bet he's got a shedload more chance of winning one on the Duke' than the Suzuki.

[denill]

Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati

Yep. The Ducati package is off the boil in 2010. Maybe Rossi, Burgess & co could make Ducati competitive again?

Can't wait for 2011 already......

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bet he's got a shedload more chance of winning one on the Duke' than the Suzuki.

I don't think the Suzuki is as bad as it looks. Bautista has gone ok on it considering.




Can't wait for 2011 already......

Yep. Bring it on!

[NZsarge]

Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati
Kinda got a feeling (read: dread) that you might be right.

Bet he's got a shedload more chance of winning one on the Duke' than the Suzuki.
True that!

Yep. The Ducati package is off the boil in 2010. Maybe Rossi, Burgess & co could make Ducati competitive again?

Can't wait for 2011 already......

Reckon, can't wait to see how Spies goes on a Factory bike.

[Ivan]

rossi still has a title in him

[NZsarge]

rossi still has a title in him

Yeah I think so but I really think the better chance of another title was at Yamaha.

[cowpoos]

"Fuck it, in for a penny in for a pound" and move to Suzuki to become the only rider to ever win championship titles on every manufacturer competeing in the top level class. .

I'd have to agree with you...still don't like him thou.


Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati

I hate to say....but he's got a good chance if burgress go's too.


Yep. The Ducati package is off the boil in 2010.

Quite the opposite really...Hayden and the satalite riders are doing better than ever. Stoner isn't as on it as he was...but its probally alot in his head. or maybe it is the front forks....who knows...you have to remember that stoner dominated in 2007 on the Duc...and he was the only rider that could ride the thing...last year ditto.

I still think stoner is the most natural/instinctive rider in the championship...but he's not a complete rider yet...

[Mental Trousers]

Cept he ain't gonna win a title on the Ducati

The problem for Ducati is they're small and aren't able to knock out redesigned major bits like the others can. There's been a definite problem with the front end this year but Ducati can't whip up another one, test it and have it on the track in a month or so.

The break between race seasons is the time they can redesign things and get them built. They're literally gearing up to produce 6 bikes with spares and that's it for the year so if they get it right for the start of next season they'll be looking really good for a championship.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I hate to say....but he's got a good chance if burgress go's too.

Quite the opposite really...Hayden and the satalite riders are doing better than ever. Stoner isn't as on it as he was...but its probally alot in his head. or maybe it is the front forks....who knows...you have to remember that stoner dominated in 2007 on the Duc...and he was the only rider that could ride the thing...last year ditto.


Can't agree with you on the Burgess front. He's got Burgess on his side this year but he can't even beat his own team mate! When he rides an inferior bike (which I'm sure the Ducati is), how do you think he'll beat the guys that are beating him now on the same (as in best) bike?

And while others can now ride the Ducati...it's not like they're winning races on it. When it was a wild bucking animal, sure only Stoner had the nuts/skill to ride it and win on it. But cutting it's nuts off has made it tamer and easier to ride, but toothless. Now even Stoner can't win on it.



The problem for Ducati is they're small and aren't able to knock out redesigned major bits like the others can. There's been a definite problem with the front end this year but Ducati can't whip up another one, test it and have it on the track in a month or so.


Possibly...but sometimes being so small can also be an advantage. Ducati probably don't have all of the red tape HRC have when it comes to sudden/rapid changes. When Ducati can't win with Rossi...they'll fuck off with their tails between their legs and quit racing for a reason they'll conjure up then.

[cowpoos]

Can't agree with you on the Burgess front. He's got Burgess on his side this year but he can't even beat his own team mate!

Oh come on Pete...its obvious that rossi's bike has been castrated...he's won't be getting any new parts on his bike...and he probally hasn't since the rumours about him going to Duc have surfaced..

and ditto with stoner....hayden will get any new bits or fast parts.

Other wise the teams risk taking another teams NEW intellectual property with the old riders.

[slowpoke]

How quickly we forget......Melandri finished the 2005 MotoGP season championship runner-up as a privateer! Then 4th in 2006 as a privateer. Imagine the commotion if say Edwards was 2nd in the championship at the moment: the roof would come off the joint.

He's no mug, but somehow the wheels have come off. I can kind of understand him going in to self protection mode on the Ducati that he struggled with. Then he put he put in a pretty good effort on the Hayate/Kwacka that was under funded and basically a season out of date. Now he's struggling with the satellite Honda...but considering how Pedrosa started the season on the Factory bike is it suprising?

I dunno, he's a class act when he's on it (remember him stuffing it up the inside on the last/next to last corner to deny Stoner his first MotoGP win?). Personally I reckon he's better than WSB but is sorely lacking in confidence.

[cowpoos]

How quickly we forget......Melandri finished the 2005 MotoGP season championship runner-up as a privateer! Then 4th in 2006 as a privateer. Imagine the commotion if say Edwards was 2nd in the championship at the moment: the roof would come off the joint.

He's no mug, but somehow the wheels have come off. I can kind of understand him going in to self protection mode on the Ducati that he struggled with. Then he put he put in a pretty good effort on the Hayate/Kwacka that was under funded and basically a season out of date. Now he's struggling with the satellite Honda...but considering how Pedrosa started the season on the Factory bike is it suprising?

I dunno, he's a class act when he's on it (remember him stuffing it up the inside on the last/next to last corner to deny Stoner his first MotoGP win?). Personally I reckon he's better than WSB but is sorely lacking in confidence.

ah...yusss... mans got skills alright

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[denill]

How quickly we forget......Melandri finished the 2005 MotoGP season championship runner-up as a privateer! Then 4th in 2006 as a privateer. Imagine the commotion if say Edwards was 2nd in the championship at the moment: the roof would come off the joint.

He's no mug, but somehow the wheels have come off. I can kind of understand him going in to self protection mode on the Ducati that he struggled with. Then he put he put in a pretty good effort on the Hayate/Kwacka that was under funded and basically a season out of date. Now he's struggling with the satellite Honda...but considering how Pedrosa started the season on the Factory bike is it suprising?

I dunno, he's a class act when he's on it (remember him stuffing it up the inside on the last/next to last corner to deny Stoner his first MotoGP win?). Personally I reckon he's better than WSB but is sorely lacking in confidence.

Good call. Yes, we do forget. It was not so long ago that Rossi saw him as a threat and on a WSBK he will surely deliver. :yes:

[denill]

Toseland's out!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100915gord.htm

[roogazza]

Good call. Yes, we do forget. It was not so long ago that Rossi saw him as a threat and on a WSBK he will surely deliver. :yes:
Yeah Bill,it's so mental this game and we can only wonder at Gp level what it's like ? Melandris no mug and maybe both Stoner and Rossi are affected to some extent, though for different reasons ?

[Ivan]

just remember he is riding after breaking his leg so isnt medically 100% fit yet and also his shoulder is farked and hes holding off to the end of the season until the tests to get ti operated on.

Jorge was no were near the front when he injured himself and I see Alex has also dropped off the pace after injury so dissing Rossi for being at the front riding with 2 serious injurys is pretty stupid next season its his Vale can ride anything fast

[denill]

Jorge was no were near the front when he injured himself
I think Jorge was ahead when Val had his spill. ;)

[Ivan]

I think Jorge was ahead when Val had his spill. ;)

im not talking about this season im talking about riderrs riding injured rossi is the only guy I think off in the GP paddock to date who is riding with a screqwed shoulder and bust leg and is still at the front the others is what im trying to say who injure themselves are no were near the front so dissing his perofrmance at the momment and saying hes finished now is just stupid

[Crasherfromwayback]

Jorge was no were near the front when he injured himself and I see Alex has also dropped off the pace after injury so dissing Rossi for being at the front riding with 2 serious injurys is pretty stupid next season its his Vale can ride anything fast

Ummmm...didn't Lorenzo finish a fighting 4th or 5th with TWO broken ankles not that long ago mate?


im not talking about this season im talking about riderrs riding injured rossi is the only guy I think off in the GP paddock to date who is riding with a screqwed shoulder and bust leg and is still at the front the others is what im trying to say who injure themselves are no were near the front so dissing his perofrmance at the momment and saying hes finished now is just stupid

Who's 'dissing' him? But guys have raced with far more serious injuries than a tweaked shoulder mate.

[denill]

MotoGP contracts – Riders
2011 season:
Valentino Rossi - Ducati Marlboro until the end of 2012.
Nicky Hayden - Ducati Marlboro until end of 2012.
Casey Stoner - "A factory Honda rider in next year’s (2011) MotoGP World Championship".
Dani Pedrosa - Factory Honda rider until the end of 2012.
Ben Spies - Factory Yamaha rider until the end of 2011.
Alvaro Bautista - Rizla Suzuki until the end of 2011.
Marco Simoncelli - Thought to have a contract with HRC until end of 2011.
Karel Abraham - Will ride a Ducati for his father's new Cardion AB MotoGP team.
Cal Crutchlow - Tech 3 Yamaha until the end of 2012.
Marco Melandri - Sterilgarda Yamaha in WSBK in 2011.

2010 season:
Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha until end of 2010.
Jorge Lorenzo - Fiat Yamaha until end of 2010.
Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro until end of 2010.
Nicky Hayden - Ducati Marlboro until end of 2010.
Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda until end of 2010.
Andrea Dovizioso - Repsol Honda until end of 2010 "with options to extend for 2011".
Colin Edwards - Tech 3 until end of 2010.
Ben Spies - Yamaha for 2010 and 2011.
Loris Capirossi - Rizla Suzuki until end of 2010.
Alvaro Bautista - Rizla Suzuki for 2010 and 2011.
Marco Melandri - Honda Gresini until end of 2010.
Marco Simoncelli - Honda Gresini until end of 2010 (but thought to have a contract with Honda until end of 2011).
Mika Kallio - Pramac Racing until end of 2010.
Aleix Espargaro - Pramac Racing until end of 2010.
Randy de Puniet - LCR Honda MotoGP until end of 2010.
Hiroshi Aoyama - Interwetten Honda MotoGP until end of 2010.
Hector Barbera - Paginas Amarillas Aspar until end of 2010.

MotoGP contracts - Team title sponsors
Fiat - Signed with the Factory Yamaha MotoGP team until the end of 2010.
Marlboro - Signed with the Factory Ducati MotoGP team until end of 2011 (extended until end of 2012 - source GPWeek).
Repsol - Signed with the Factory Honda MotoGP team until the end of 2010.
Rizla - Signed with the Factory Suzuki MotoGP team for 2010 and 2011.
Monster - Signed with Tech 3 Yamaha until the end of 2010.
San Carlo - Signed with Honda Gresini until the end of 2010.
Paginas Amarillas - Signed with Aspar Ducati until the end of 2010.

[denill]

Pedrosa will be team-mate to Casey Stoner next year, but HRC's aim of a three-rider 'super team' in 2011 seems to have been forgotten and Pedrosa's team-mate for the last two seasons, Andrea Dovizioso, is likely to be demoted to the Honda Gresini squad next season.

[denill]

Massimo Meregalli & Jeremy Burgess?

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100930c.htm

[denill]

Around The Paddock: Updates On 2011

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Sep/100930b.htm

[roogazza]

Pedrosa will be team-mate to Casey Stoner next year, but HRC's aim of a three-rider 'super team' in 2011 seems to have been forgotten and Pedrosa's team-mate for the last two seasons, Andrea Dovizioso, is likely to be demoted to the Honda Gresini squad next season.

I read somewhere Dovi had something in his contract that ensured works bikes if he finished in a certain position, but yeah probably to Gresini but with the good stuff. Bill ?

Oh and tracy will be Pedrosas No. 2 ? haha whatd'ya reckon huh , huh ? Sorry couldn't resist that. :innocent: G

[denill]

I read somewhere Dovi had something in his contract that ensured works bikes if he finished in a certain position, but yeah probably to Gresini but with the good stuff. Bill ?

Yeah, I read his minimum target to keep his seat was 5th.


Oh and tracy will be Pedrosas No. 2 ? haha whatd'ya reckon huh , huh ? Sorry couldn't resist that. :innocent: G

Well, we'll wait and see how it pans. The match up of the dacade would have been - Rossi & Stoner on the same bikes.................. :yes: :yes:

[roogazza]

Well, we'll wait and see how it pans. The match up of the dacade would have been - Rossi & Stoner on the same bikes.................. :yes: :yes:

Nah, Rossis all washed up, haven't you heard Crasher ? lol
Just making tentative plans for my next trip, I must buy a red T shirt ! :love: G.

[Mental Trousers]

Tom Sykes needs a new manager. He's been getting bum rushed the last couple of years. He got over shadowed by Ben Spies at Yamaha, they ditched him and now it's looking like he's going to lose his ride with Paul Bird and end up in satelitte Pedecini team after helping Kawasaki develop the new weapon. Such a shame cos he's one of the smoothest riders on the grid and a real pleasure to watch.

[NZsarge]

Tom Sykes needs a new manager. He's been getting bum rushed the last couple of years. He got over shadowed by Ben Spies at Yamaha, they ditched him and now it's looking like he's going to lose his ride with Paul Bird and end up in satelitte Pedecini team after helping Kawasaki develop the new weapon. Such a shame cos he's one of the smoothest riders on the grid and a real pleasure to watch.

Sykes was on fire that last round of WSBK, was awesome watching him crest the hill mid corner and watching the bike drift sideways, he was really ringing the tits off that Kwaka.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Nah, Rossis all washed up, haven't you heard Crasher ? lol


Hahaha...I wouldn't say washed up. Just badly beaten up. By the ground AND his own team mate. Oh...and the odd satelite rider along the way. Something Stoner has NEVER had happen.

[denill]

German magazine Speed Week is reporting that BMW's World Superbike team manager Davide Tardozzi has been sacked ahead of this weekend's Magny-Cours season finale!

The Italian, who made a shock split from Ducati at the end of last season, has overseen BMW's first podiums and pole, but Speed Week says he was sacked after Imola and has been banned from this weekend's race.

The reason for such drastic action is not given, but Tardozzi has been linked with Yamaha's WSBK team for 2011, since present Sterilgarda team manager Massimo meregalli is expected to head the Ben Spies side of the factory Yamaha MotoGP team next year.

But there is more...

The non-German BMW mechanics are threatening to strike this weekend over a lack of pay - apparently withheld because they have not visited the BMW team HQ often enough - and the fact that at present they have no firm word on contracts for 2011.

BMW recently announced that 2010 WSBK runner-up Leon Haslam will join Troy Corser at the team next season, in place of Ruben Xaus.

[slowpoke]

German magazine Speed Week is reporting that BMW's World Superbike team manager Davide Tardozzi has been sacked ahead of this weekend's Magny-Cours season finale!

The Italian, who made a shock split from Ducati at the end of last season, has overseen BMW's first podiums and pole, but Speed Week says he was sacked after Imola and has been banned from this weekend's race.

The reason for such drastic action is not given, but Tardozzi has been linked with Yamaha's WSBK team for 2011, since present Sterilgarda team manager Massimo meregalli is expected to head the Ben Spies side of the factory Yamaha MotoGP team next year.

But there is more...

The non-German BMW mechanics are threatening to strike this weekend over a lack of pay - apparently withheld because they have not visited the BMW team HQ often enough - and the fact that at present they have no firm word on contracts for 2011.

BMW recently announced that 2010 WSBK runner-up Leon Haslam will join Troy Corser at the team next season, in place of Ruben Xaus.

Hmmmm, ya gotta wonder at the smarts within the BMW camp. Tardozzi has got probably the most successful record in WSB and Ducati seem to have gone backwards without him. From another article I read it sounds like BMW want to do things their way rather than Tardozzi's way hence the split. It's a big call for BMW to ignore Tradozzi's advice.

[denill]

Valentino Rossi has finally been given the go-ahead to test for Ducati immediately after the final round at Valencia.

Reports in the Italian press state that Ducati will present Rossi with one screamer engine and one big-bang engine to try at Valencia – just as Yamaha did when he moved from Honda.

Ducati switched its 800cc Desmosedici from screamer to big-bang at the start of this season.

Air Asia will replace FIAT as Yamaha's 2011 title sponsor, when Ben Spies will ride alongside new MotoGP champ Jorge Lorenzo.

[javawocky]

Air Asia will replace FIAT as Yamaha's 2011 title sponsor, when Ben Spies will ride alongside new MotoGP champ Jorge Lorenzo.

Mmm, Air Asia seam to have Red colours so its a colour swap.

[slowpoke]

The biggest suprise to me is Crutchlow off to MotoGP. He's had his moments but I don't think he was anywhere near good/consistent enough to justify a MotoGP seat.