Toseland to MotoGP

[Postie]

He had the choice to stay in the WSB and be the highest paid rider, or move to MotoGP.

He wanted a factoy ride, but that needs to be earned I think, since Marco Melandri has only just got a factory ride after 5 years in MotoGP. So James Toseland will be on a Tech 3 Yamaha next year, who are switching from Dunlop's to Michelin's

The last Brit to win a MotoGP race, was Barry Sheene in 1981.

[k14]

Hmm, wonder if Toseland took any notice of James Ellison last year? Obviously not, one year of fighting to finish in the top 15 and he'll be back to supers. Probably not even get a good ride, maybe fight for top 10 there. Bad bad choice.

[SimJen]

not the best move, considering the Michelin issues and the lack of pace the Tech3 Yams have......
Oh well, experience for him I suppose.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

he's got some sack but you need sack in this motorcycle racing game

[robertydog]

He maybe looked at how the Honda would of gone in Superbikes next year. Maybe thinking that the Honda might struggle against the Suzuki and Yamaha as they are starting to come on with a bit of development.
I supose Motogp is where its at and he has to have a go and see how he gets on.

[gav]

Hmm, wonder if Toseland took any notice of James Ellison last year? Obviously not, one year of fighting to finish in the top 15 and he'll be back to supers. Probably not even get a good ride, maybe fight for top 10 there. Bad bad choice.

Please.... The only thing thats in common with the bike Ellison was on is the colour! This will be a great ride, full factory Yamaha's running top spec Michelins. I'm sure Michelin will have the tyres sorted by next year. You know his team mate is Jorge Lorenzo, don't you? It'll be a different looking Tech 3 team next year, still French but with French tyres. Team Fiat Yamaha could be on Bridgestones though for next year!

[gav]

And in further news Francis Batta is quitting WSBK, the Alstare Corona boss has spat the dummy after Ducati successfully got the 1200cc limit they wanted, and is pulling the sponsorship next year. Alstare Corona is also a major sponsor of the whole series not just the Suzuki race team, but its rumoured that Hanspree will take over as series sponsor.
Where this leaves the Suzuki team and Max Biaggi remains to be seen.......

[k14]

Please.... The only thing thats in common with the bike Ellison was on is the colour! This will be a great ride, full factory Yamaha's running top spec Michelins. I'm sure Michelin will have the tires sorted by next year. You know his team mate is Jorge Lorenzo, don't you? It'll be a different looking Tech 3 team next year, still French but with French tires. Team Fiat Yamaha could be on Bridgestones though for next year!

I think you need to put a lot more "could's" in there gav, all of that is just speculation at the moment (although probably seems to be fairly reliable). Its still up in the air as to what Edwards is doing so still not confirmed that Toseland and Lorenzo will be teaming up together. I can't see Rossi and Lorenzo together, could have Toseland and Rossi though.

There's still a few rides up in the air, the Gresini Honda's (although I think Elias is probably going to stay on). One seat at Suzuki (sounds like Capirossi is a sure bet on that). Then the Kwakas, could possibly be running three bikes with who knows on them, already confirmed for Hopkins and then maybe two of Roger Hayden, West and De Puniet. Hard to know. Then there's still the D'antin Ducati team, not known if either Barros or Hoffman is signed up for there yet. Who else from the 250's is going to step up? Maybe Dovisioso? He'd probably have Honda support if he did so that could be Melandri's old seat gone.

Anyway, back on the subject. Be interesting to see how Toseland goes, he was on fire at Brands on the weekend. Really showed he is a force to be reckoned with. Wonder if he can break the tradition set by past world sbk winners of doing crap in GP's. Maybe the secret is to not win world sbk, ala the mole from auzzie.

[gav]

Nah, straight from the horses mouth! Trust me .....
And what do mean, think Bayliss did OK in his last race in MotoGP after winning the WSBK title?

[k14]

Nah, straight from the horses mouth! Trust me .....
And what do mean, think Bayliss did OK in his last race in MotoGP after winning the WSBK title?

Yeah but apart from him and Vermin no other ex superbike rider has won a motogp race (iirc, correct me if I'm wrong) let alone win the motogp championship. Maybe top 5, but hard to see him winning, would be bucking the trend of the past if he did.

[BigG]

I think he's going for the experience, he's a bloody good rider, put him on a good machine with decent tyres and you'll have a winner, Yammaha will perform better next year when they get their new motor sorted.

[gav]

Yeah but apart from him and Vermin no other ex superbike rider has won a motogp race (iirc, correct me if I'm wrong) let alone win the motogp championship. Maybe top 5, but hard to see him winning, would be bucking the trend of the past if he did.

Hmm, is Makato Tamada an ex SBK rider? He won a couple of races as a wild card and has won GP's after that?

[k14]

Hmm, is Makato Tamada an ex SBK rider? He won a couple of races as a wild card and has won GP's after that?

Well 50/50, being japanese I'd bet he spent a lot of time on 125's and 250's prior to going to motogp. Still no riders that have done their apprenticeship on 600's and superbikes that have even remotely looked like being a threat to the 500/motogp champs.

[gav]

Apart from the current MotoGP world champ ......

[k14]

Apart from the current MotoGP world champ ......

Oops yeah forgot about him... although he does only have 3 race wins to his name. I'd be surprised if we see another any time soon. Who's ya pick for next year? Maybe Melandri, Pedrosa, Stoner, Rossi who else? Vermeulen for a long shot?