Rossi off to Yamaha????

[mangell6]

Is Valentino really going to show Biaggi how to ride a yamaha??

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motogp/8407/

[SPman]

And for those of you who dont link - from AMA news

Rossi To Yamaha?!
eight million, $600 expense item, edwards to honda, ala lawson
by dean adams
Wednesday, October 08, 2003

The rumor that Val Rossi was on the verge of signing with Yamaha has been making the rounds for at least two weeks now, but has reached fever pitch today with several foreign web sites stating that he has now SIGNED with Yamaha for 2004.

target=_blank>Reportedly Rossi became incensed at HRC because they kicked back one of his expense reports where he added in a travel expense for his girlfriend (Rossi HAS a girlfriend?!). That touched off a war of words between him, his manager and HRC.

The Yamaha offer, for a reported eight million dollars for one season (which is *almost* what Doohan made in his last season of racing)then seemed to take on a new life with Rossi and Co.

Rossi is said to be ready to make an announcement on his future this weekend in Sepang. Couple all of the above with the fact that he's on the verge of wrapping up the world title this weekend as well ...

From there the rumors stop being little one-cell beings in a paddock-shaped petri dish and become walking monsters: Honda is going to make nice with Colin Edwards II to re-sign him in place of Rossi, which will give the HRC team two Americans for the first time in ... ever. Even though Edwards was reportedly "re-signed" with Aprilia for 2003 months ago, now, he's free to sign with Honda. But, doesn't Ducati have an option on Edwards for 2004? All rumors ...

It is said that for Rossi, the most tantalizing aspect of the switch from Honda to Yamaha is that he will have a shot at even more history than he has earned already. He'd do that by winning the world title in successive years while riding for two different manufacturers, as four-time world champion Eddie Lawson did in 1988/1989. Lawson won the title on a Yamaha in 1988 and then swapped to a Kanemoto Honda for '89 and won his fourth title. Rossi has won the 125/250 and "MotoGP" titles already and is the most naturally talented rider the world has seen since Freddie Spencer.

For Rossi, the similarities with what Lawson accomplished don't end with just swapping teams and bikes. Lawson won the '89 title on what is considered one of the most vile handling motorcycles ever raced in GP. For Rossi, racing the Yamaha will be a true test of his God-like ability, because even though it has started to come around in the past few races, the M1 has nearly been trounced in 2003 by both the Hondas and the new Ducati.

[wkid_one]

sorry but...

After the usual threats and tantrums, it looks almost certain that Valentino Rossi will re-sign with Honda for next season. Rossi's manager Gibo Badioli is set to meet the top brass from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to check the small print of a new contract. According to some insiders, Honda has more or less capitulated to Rossi's demands. "It's the best we can do for him," said HRC manager Carlo Fiorani, "and Rossi knows it."

It would seem then that Honda is ready to accede to Rossi's demands for more money, a one-year deal and getting the best bike of all the Honda riders on the grid. On one point though, Honda wasn't backing down – there's no space on the bike for his personal sponsors. So, can we expect a press release after he sews up the 2003 title this weekend at Sepang in Malaysia?

[SPman]

He'll probably stay with Honda............damn!