: Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:53 am  

Surprised no comments about the weekend yet.

So, title race all sorted then?

And an interesting new rule.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:44 am  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

Nicky Hayden in 2006 I believe and Kevin Schwantz too. The only other US rider who could come through, that I know of, is Ben Spies who is, at the moment, in World Superbikes.

kenny roberts jnr won the title on the 500cc gp bike in 2001 i beleive

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:33 pm  

changa wrote:

kenny roberts jnr won the title on the 500cc gp bike in 2001 i beleive

No he didn't. He's nowhere as good as his Dad was.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:55 pm  

kenny jnr world champion

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:13 am  

Jorge Lorenzo signs one-year deal with Yamaha. James Toseland's future will now depend on how Ben Spies does in WSB.

Jorge Lorenzo signs one-year deal with Yamaha. James Toseland's future will now depend on how Ben Spies does in WSB.

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:12 pm  

bramleyrhino wrote: Jorge Lorenzo signs one-year deal with Yamaha. James Toseland's future will now depend on how Ben Spies does in WSB. Goodbye Toseland I fear.

bramleyrhino wrote: Jorge Lorenzo signs one-year deal with Yamaha. James Toseland's future will now depend on how Ben Spies does in WSB. Goodbye Toseland I fear.

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:51 pm  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

Goodbye Toseland I fear.

If Spies does decide to move up, it could actually work well for Toseland.

Tech 3 don't want, nor can they afford, two Americans. Spies would be the preferred option for Yamaha over Edwards, given that they want to keep Spies within the company for a factory ride in a year or two (remember that rookies can't sign with factory teams any more).

Edwards will only stay if he can be bothered. He's earned his money and if he woke up tomorrow and felt like quitting, he would do. It took a pretty hefty salary offer to keep him riding this year. Toseland is by far the cheaper option financially and Edwards doesn't bring in any sponsors that Spies wouldn't or couldn't.

The plot thickens when there are rumblings that Dorna could offer Tech 3 a kick-back to keep JT, given that they see a British rider as vital to working their way into the UK market. Whether that part works in practice is doubtful, but it's an interesting twist.

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:20 pm  

The commentators speculated at the last race that Vermeulen is rumoured to have approached Tech 3 too. Losing his ride, so allegedly offered to race for Tech 3 for free. So if the cost is the main factor, it could still be curtains for Toseland if it would outweigh any kick-back.

TBH, he doesn't deserve a new deal on this year's performance. If it wasn't for the fact he's the only Brit in the field nobody would be remotely interested.

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:07 pm  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

Nicky Hayden in 2006 I believe and Kevin Schwantz too. The only other US rider who could come through, that I know of, is Ben Spies who is, at the moment, in World Superbikes.

K.R. junior

: Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:35 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

The commentators speculated at the last race that Vermeulen is rumoured to have approached Tech 3 too. Losing his ride, so allegedly offered to race for Tech 3 for free. So if the cost is the main factor, it could still be curtains for Toseland if it would outweigh any kick-back.

TBH, he doesn't deserve a new deal on this year's performance. If it wasn't for the fact he's the only Brit in the field nobody would be remotely interested.

I can't see what Vermeulen think's he's gaining with that, unless it's just a desperate plea for any form of MotoGP contract to attract / appease sponsors.

He's not a championship caliber rider, he's not going to become one on a satellite Yamaha and he's not that commercially attractive. It does seem to strange move on his part.