MotoGP Teams for 2007, rumour time!

[sAsLEX]

Exactly sAsLEX, the Yamaha M1 got 'Hondafied', you would need to do the same to the Kwacka.

I would more say "rossurgified"

[onearmedbandit]

Not if you read his book they weren't. When Rossi was in 250's they would receive their bikes and be allowed to play with them, setting them up as Rossi felt necessary. Not when he went to HRC, sure he played a part in development but Honda were very adamamt that no-one was to mess around with the setup that they had choosen. Going to Yamaha for Rossi was just as much about getting back his freedom as it was proving he could win on another bike.

[sAsLEX]

Not if you read his book they weren't. When Rossi was in 250's they would receive their bikes and be allowed to play with them, setting them up as Rossi felt necessary. Not when he went to HRC, sure he played a part in development but Honda were very adamamt that no-one was to mess around with the setup that they had choosen. Going to Yamaha for Rossi was just as much about getting back his freedom as it was proving he could win on another bike.

huh you seem to be backing my point here and arguing against youself. You said the M1 was hondafied, now say that rossi wasn't allowed to change much on the Honda, then when he got to the M1 he went back to his 250 days of setting the bike as he wants.

So he "rossurgified" the M1, where as he didnt really "rossurgifie" the Honda as such.

There is no denying the fact though that rossi's team is part of his success since leaving honda.

[onearmedbandit]

Ahh, but both Jeremy and Rossi were quoted as saying that they needed to make the Yamaha more like the Honda. Hence what I was saying, 'hondafied'. There is no disputing that the RC211V was a brilliant motorcycle, why shouldn't Burgess and Co aim to point the Yamaha in that already proven direction. Rossi isn't a technician, but the guys who helped develop the RC211 are.

[sAsLEX]

Ahh, but both Jeremy and Rossi were quoted as saying that they needed to make the Yamaha more like the Honda. Hence what I was saying, 'hondafied'. There is no disputing that the RC211V was a brilliant motorcycle, why shouldn't Burgess and Co aim to point the Yamaha in that already proven direction. Rossi isn't a technician, but the guys who helped develop the RC211 are.

Yes but a tchnician cant tell you how the bike feels under brakes or how it feeds information back to the rider, the seat of the pants experience of Rossi and how he conveys that to his team makes him brillaint and assisting the development of the bikes he rides.

[onearmedbandit]

100% correct there sAsLEX, which is why Rossi has been so successful over the years. Picking the right team and being able to translate how the bike performs to his technicians gives him quite often the edge over his competitors.

[Ghost Lemur]

I wonder just how way off base these rumours will be.

It was certainly fun last year. So many predictions, so many so very very wrong.

Makes for a fun read.

Quite worried that we've heard nothing about Yamaha 800cc development yet.

By the sounds of things Ducati are well on track. Malandri would be a great addition.

[Cleve]

Quite worried that we've heard nothing about Yamaha 800cc development yet.

Maybe Rossi is racing the 800 this year and that is why he is not winning easily and his bike has blown up twice this year...

[gav]

The source of these rumours is a guy who has friends working in MotoGP, mechanics etc. He asked them all to come up with the line ups for next year, knowing what they know and if they would bet there houses on it. Certainly alot may change, but the same source had Sete Gibernau moving to Ducati before it was heard elsewhere. Another strong rumour last year was Red Bull putting together a Honda team for Nicky Hayden and John Hopkins, apparently it was very close to being a done deal, instead Red Bull increased their personal sponsership of Hayden (check his helmet) and part sponsered the Repsol team and backed the USGP instead.
James Toseland? Not in the reckoning for next year, if he were to win the WSBK title, he may get a chance or at least a test.
Shinya Nakano is very highly regarded, most rate him in the top 5 riders, and alot rate him in the top 3.
Max Biaggi is one who may end up on a Kawasaki for next year.

[R6_kid:Me]

telefonica movistar are sponsorship whores. IF that is true the only thing they won't have had their hands on will be the Kawasaki and Ducati. Telfonica 2007 R6 anyone?

[Skunk]

Max Biaggi is one who may end up on a Kawasaki for next year.

NO, please no....

I think Kawasaki has better *riders* in Nakano and de Puniet.

[gav]

Bit of an update, seems Casey is playing hard to get!
Taken from a blog..


"As we rapidly approach the high water mark of speculation about 2007, more rumors emerged about Casey Stoner. The Italian website Motograndprix.it is reporting that the young Aussie may be out of MotoGP next year. After being turned down by Yamaha, Stoner reportedly approached his current team boss Lucio Cecchinello with a demand for $2.5 million to resign with LCR for 2007, a demand which Cecchinello was unable, or unwilling, to meet. Similar approaches to Ducati have so far met with little reward, as the factory from Bologna are currently engaged in negotiations with Loris Capirossi for 2007, who is seeking a $4 million deal, similar to Sete Gibernau's contract, leaving Ducati with room for maneuver with Stoner.

This leaves Stoner without a ride for 2007 so far, and, by overplaying his hand so strongly in negotiatons, with little chance of a ride, unless he were to move to Kawasaki to replace Shinya Nakano, who is rumored to be moving to Konica Minolta Honda for next season. Stoner would have to moderate his wage demands a good deal to make that happen, though.

Stoner has shown huge promise during the early part of the season, taking a shock pole at the Qatar GP, followed by a 2nd place in Turkey. Since then, however, he has developed a fatal attraction to the gravel traps, falling in three races after making rider mistakes when being pushed hard (especially by his arch-rival Dani Pedrosa), and not starting in Germany after coming off during practice. In addition, Stoner has been very outspoken in his views on just about everything, including openly criticizing the bike and the team when he felt things weren't working properly. No one doubts Stoner's talent, but hiring the young Aussie is a high-risk strategy, and one which teams are seemingly loathe to take."

Not looking good for the young Aussie.. Dont bite the hand that feeds you??

Also James Toseland for MotoGP?
"James Toseland and Makoto Tamada could find themselves swapping series for 2007, according to Motograndprix.it. Toseland, currently riding the Winston Ten Kate Honda in World Superbikes, has stated his intention to move to MotoGP, but only if he can get competitive machinery. His name has been linked to the Pramac d'Antin Ducati team, and to Kenny Roberts Sr's Team KR project. Ten Kate boss Ronald ten Kate is rumored to have stated that Toseland won't be riding for the team in 2007, which leaves the young Brit's options open.

Tamada, who has had 2 poor seasons aboard the Konica Minolta Honda, is widely believed to be on his way out of MotoGP, and his name is being linked to Ten Kate Honda in World Superbikes. With Toseland's seat looking like it may be vacant, that would free up a ride for Tamada."

[gav]

Wait, theres more!

Most of the remaining moves in the MotoGP class will depend on just two things,

1) What Gresini decide to do in 2007

and

2) What Telefonica Movistar decide to do in 2007.

The reason I say that is it will effect everything. To expand a bit, if Movistar sponsor Team Yamaha then they will require a Spaniard (Elias, Checa, Barbera etc). That will close the Yamaha door for Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner etc.

If Gresini decide to go to Ducati then they'll take Marco Melandri and Toni Elias with them, do a little seat swapping with the factory team so it's Capirossi and Melandri at Ducati Corse and Gibernau and Elias at Gresini. That closes the Ducati door for Hayden, Stoner etc.

If Movistar don't go to Yamaha then Yamaha should sign either Casey Stoner or more likely Shinya Nakano.

If Gresini stay at Honda then HRC will have Hayden, Pedrosa, Melandri on their books which will probably see Stoner leave, especially if HRC promote Dovi while Ducati will keep Capirossi and then decide whether it's worth flicking Gibernau for someone like Stoner.

----------------------------------------

On top of that Honda have recently said they are now willing to run six MotoGP bikes again so that's two for Repsol HRC, two for either Gresini or Pons and one each for JiR and LCR. For those six bikes you're looking at six of the following; Hayden, Pedrosa, Melandri, Elias, Stoner, Dovizioso, Tamada, Kiyonari and Nakano.

It's rumoured that Gibernau could replace Nakano at Kawasaki, Max Biaggi is also mentioned there. Nakano will choose from JiR, Team Yamaha and Team Kawasaki although the decision will probably be made for him by the actions of others.

Stoner will stay at LCR is he's given a factory bike, otherwise he's a chance at Yamaha if Movistar don't go there or Ducati if Gresini don't go there.

Yes, it's all very confusing at the moment, but like I said, almost everything will fall into place once Movistar and Gresini decide their futures.

[Skunk]

It all looks bad for Kawasaki... Nakano is so good. Put him on a better bike/tyre combo and I think he can 'easily' win regularly.

[UrbanMyth]

Where did you find out this infomation gav? or is it some of it your predictions?
Jorge Lorenzo is my favourite 250cc rider and should be in motogp but im really not sure that he would be teamed up with Rossi...Colin has much experience over Jorge which helps Rossi a lot with testing etc.Dont really think yamaha would put a 1st year motogp kid with mr multi world champion. Also im sure we have all heard the rumours of Casey moving to the yamaha team but Rossi felt strongly about keeping colin as they work well together and are great friends...unless Colin has actually left motogp by himself.Not saying it wouldnt be awesome to see Jorge on Rossi's team i would love it! they would be a bloody exciting team.But im just as much a Colin fan as a Jorge.

Melandri on Ducati is an awesome idea they have been eye'n up Rossi for years so Marco is the second best man.
(would be sad to see Fortuna out of gp though)
Will be intresting to see who they team up Kenny Roberts will Also would be good to see Casey get a team member, i rection Andrea Dovizioso would be a awesome team mate very similar atitudes.

Also the rumours about Biaggi....dun dun dunn

Note i totally agree with everything you have said sAsLEX

Nakano is by far the most under rated rider.He doesnt exactly have the best bike/tyre combination either.

This threads gonna be awesome