2009 Factory Lineup

<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%2009 Factory Lineup

<u>Fiat Yamaha</u>
Valentino Rossi
Jorge Lorenzo

<u>Repsol Honda</u>
Dani Pedrosa
Andrea Dovizioso

<u>Marlboro Ducati</u>
Casey Stoner
Nicky Hayden

<u>Monster Kawasaki</u>
John Hopkins
Marco Melandri

<u>Rizla Suzuki</u>
Loris Capirossi
Chris Vermeulen



I can't wait for next year. As much as I hate to say this, I think the Pedrosa/Dovi team is the one I'd be most worried about. For the first time since 2006, it looks like HRC will field two riders with pace. It looks like Dovi may place in the top 5 on a satellite bike this season! I suspect Puig/Pedrosa will be strong next year as well. The pneumo lump should be running well and Honda are going to be sending lots of bikes into battle. Anyone off the pace will be torpedoed by Elias, DeAngelis, DePuniet, or Takahashi. It will be rough for non-Honda riders who get caught off line on race day.

If Lorenzo stops crashing I think Fiat Yamaha could beat them. Rossi is airtight but somewhat vulnerable when the power isn't sufficient. Lorenzo is an unknown. Highly talented but the nightmares of the highsides in 2008 will certainly haunt him into next season; especially if he has another one early in 2009.

I'd like to think that Stoner/Hayden will be the front runners, but I have to be realistic. Ducati haven't fielded 2 consistently fast riders in the 800 era. Plus, there are too many tracks where the Duc doesn't work. Furthermore, I suspect some intervention with the tires and Ducati rely very heavily on good prototype rubber. I think Ducati have hired Hayden to help develop a more ridable bike, I really hope Ducati don't start changing Stoner's bike unless he falls off the pace. I think Hayden will do well, but will be somewhat inconsistent in his first season. Worst of all for Ducati, China is off the calendar--those were easy points in the bag.

Kawasaki looks really intriguing. If they can get that stupid bike together, they should be able to make serious progress in 2009.

Rizla yawn Suzuki. Hmmm........no disrespect to Chris or Loris--both are classy and talented individuals--but Rizla just seems like a flat, boring place to be next season. Hopefully, I will be wrong.

Bring it on!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Sep 17 2008, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>[Rizla yawn Suzuki. Hmmm........no disrespect to Chris or Loris--both are classy and talented individuals--but Rizla just seems like a flat, boring place to be next season. Hopefully, I will be wrong.

Bring it on!

I actually agree with you today. Repsol and Fiat are the teams to beat, Ducati are still wild cards to some extent as they are new, rather than long established to being front runners. Suzuki indeed looks to be the weakest of the factory teams, I want to see CV move up a level in his riding.

You've covered it pretty well. Honda/Yam are both fielding 2 riders who have already shown great pace on current Honda/Yam equipment. Thus both should be hugely strong. Duc's fielding a lineup that I certainly hope will turn in first-rate results, but there's obviously more uncertainty there (from both riders, given Stoner's recent affinity for gravel and Ducati's ability to .... up a good thing that they demonstrated eariler this season). Kawasaki's got 2 riders who should/could be strong on a bike that could be a turd or could make real progress. A real wild-card lineup. Suzuki is exceedingly boring.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Sep 17 2008, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Lorenzo is an unknown. Highly talented but the nightmares of the highsides in 2008 will certainly haunt him into next season; especially if he has another one early in 2009.
i think lorenzo has shown his metel this season so an unknow he is not. as far as your questioning his mental strength i think his performances in the last 2 races, especially indy, show he is not fragile & has come to grips with the bike & more importantly his confidence. don't underestimate him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Sep 17 2008, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rizla yawn Suzuki. Hmmm........no disrespect to Chris or Loris--both are classy and talented individuals--but Rizla just seems like a flat, boring place to be next season. Hopefully, I will be wrong.

Suzuki had their chance of making a gamble. Next year I figure it will be about the same as this year for them. So why, oh why field the same team? When John Hopkins moved to Kawasaki, a few I remember (especially you Austin my friend) crapped all over him calling him a sell-out. Only a bit later it was revealed that Hopkins and Denning had a bit of a falling out. And now with the Spies-Denning situation, I am even more convinced Hopkins did the right thing. It had seemed that Rizla-Suzuki were on an up swing last year when Hopkins finished 4th in the end of season classification. Now I see that was more to John's credit than it is to this team's commitment to winning.

I defy anybody to find a post where I have not admired the talent of either Capi or Vermi, but in this case, they needed to take a gamble on new young blood. They so far have failed to do so. I'm not sure which rider I would have transferred within the organization, but certainly I would have moved one to make room for Ben Spies. If I had been forced to pick one to make room, I think it would have been Vermi who I would have reassigned to WSBK (where he actually had consistent success). I would have kept Capi on to help with experience and development. They invested 3 wildcards for Spies, and he impressed and rose to the occasion at each one with marked improvement. It seems they .... this investment away.

My respect and expectations for this team has quickly lost its stock in my eyes, one I supported when Hopkins was there; but now as Lex put it, is flat.

What tires would Dovi / Lorenzo be running next year?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mumu37 @ Sep 18 2008, 02:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What tires would Dovi / Lorenzo be running next year?
If HRC is smart Bridgestone, but if they listen to Puig and there is no control tire next year they will be split like Val and Chupa-Chup were this year.

As much as it pains me to say it, Suzuki are a team that look like they won't do any better next year. They should have invested their money to lure Jerry Burgess to the team to work with CV. That could have made a big difference!

Kawasaki as a racing business just suck! Their results across all the current World Championships is just appalling. I really can't see Marco making much of a difference. Fundamentally they just don't seem to have the talent to design, build and develop bikes. Marco and Hopper have both had disastrous years. Their confidence must be at rock bottom and unless Kawasaki have something new in the pipeline or a strategy on how they are going to make their team improve, Team Green will have another .... year!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krusty @ Sep 18 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Kawasaki as a racing business just suck! Their results across all the current World Championships is just appalling. I really can't see Marco making much of a difference. Fundamentally they just don't seem to have the talent to design, build and develop bikes. Marco and Hopper have both had disastrous years. Their confidence must be at rock bottom and unless Kawasaki have something new in the pipeline or a strategy on how they are going to make their team improve, Team Green will have another .... year!
Get Granty's number and coax the No.10 out of retirement

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Sep 18 2008, 05:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Suzuki had their chance of making a gamble. Next year I figure it will be about the same as this year for them. So why, oh why field the same team? When John Hopkins moved to Kawasaki, a few I remember (especially you Austin my friend) crapped all over him calling him a sell-out. Only a bit later it was revealed that Hopkins and Denning had a bit of a falling out. And now with the Spies-Denning situation, I am even more convinced Hopkins did the right thing. It had seemed that Rizla-Suzuki were on an up swing last year when Hopkins finished 4th in the end of season classification. Now I see that was more to John's credit than it is to this team's commitment to winning.

I defy anybody to find a post where I have not admired the talent of either Capi or Vermi, but in this case, they needed to take a gamble on new young blood. They so far have failed to do so. I'm not sure which rider I would have transferred within the organization, but certainly I would have moved one to make room for Ben Spies. If I had been forced to pick one to make room, I think it would have been Vermi who I would have reassigned to WSBK (where he actually had consistent success). I would have kept Capi on to help with experience and development. They invested 3 wildcards for Spies, and he impressed and rose to the occasion at each one with marked improvement. It seems they .... this investment away.

My respect and expectations for this team has quickly lost its stock in my eyes, one I supported when Hopkins was there; but now as Lex put it, is flat.
I agree with that.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krusty @ Sep 18 2008, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As much as it pains me to say it, Suzuki are a team that look like they won't do any better next year. They should have invested their money to lure Jerry Burgess to the team to work with CV. That could have made a big difference!

Kawasaki as a racing business just suck! Their results across all the current World Championships is just appalling. I really can't see Marco making much of a difference. Fundamentally they just don't seem to have the talent to design, build and develop bikes. Marco and Hopper have both had disastrous years. Their confidence must be at rock bottom and unless Kawasaki have something new in the pipeline or a strategy on how they are going to make their team improve, Team Green will have another .... year!
I think many if not every team would like to have Burgess but Rossi wants to work with him and vice versa so it would be reealy difficult to get him probarbly.

From the start Yamaha and Kawasaki engines are designed by the same guy but Yamaha has found the golden route it seems ,to develope it.I bet it was really expensive too.I get the impression that with that engine configuration you don't have as many options to improve it as with a screemer.It seems harder to get benefits from higher revs for instance.Of course chassi and electronics needs to improve too.
In all fairness they have had West to try out improvements and Hopkins injured just about all season and they are usually good at making improvements during the season.This year there hasn't been much room for that.
I think they could actually make a step up 2009 with the new organisation and more things settled.

I want to see Ben Spies running with someone next year

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mumu37 @ Sep 18 2008, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What tires would Dovi / Lorenzo be running next year?

Probably the same as everybody else.

Carmelo Ezpeleta from Dorna has said that they will announce at Motegi that there will be only one tyre manufacturer next year

And what about the non-factory riders ?

<u>Tech3 Yamaha</u>
Colin Edwards
James Toseland

<u>Gresini Honda</u>
Toni Elias
Alex De Angelis

<u>Alice Ducati</u>
Mika Kallio
Niccolo Canepa

<u>Nieto Ducati</u>
Sete Gibernau?

<u>Aspar Kawasaki</u>
Carlos Checa?

<u>Montiron Honda </u>
???

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yago @ Sep 18 2008, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And what about the non-factory riders ?They're not factory riders.

No kidding

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yago @ Sep 18 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Probably the same as everybody else.

Carmelo Ezpeleta from Dorna has said that they will announce at Motegi that there will be only one tyre manufacturer next year
Welcome Yago, - why not ask 'My Lexicon' to outline his views on Ezy, he'll be along any time now - how the evenings fly by. Alternatively spend the next year or two familiarizing yourself with his remarkable works of fiction.

fiat yamaha
repsol honda
ducati marlboro

any of these teams could take the title in 09. should make for an interesting season. the suzukis and kawis will be as underwhelming as expected

The Suzuki line up is disappointing.

To say the least...

I have nothing against Capirossi but he's a bit past his sale by date

Not signing Spies is a huge mistake.