Even if MM does not win the championship, if he has a strong campaign and shows he indeed still "has it" then I'd think he'll have an offer for a factory seat. He is a generational talent and motivated to prove he's still got something left in the tank. Can't wait to see what and how much.
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I agree. I k now it is a yr old bike but he might as well stay at Gresini if going to LCR Husqvarna (not confirmed).
If Marquez beats Bezzechi, Martin & The Beast or at least gives the latter two a hard time, I can't see it any other way.
I've read lots of talk about Honda having made a big step, but I can;t see them getting competitive enough in 6 months to entice Marquez back yet.
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Unless they convince the riders that the team is a full factory team, just satellite in name
Perhaps the recently announced sponsorship of Gasgas by Red Bull is salient.
Given what has happened this year I am thinking Marc will settle for being on the best bike/team that will keep him winning, regardless of status.
Perhaps with a fresh set of eyes, and some new blood in the Engineering Group, changes could come quickly. I cannot believe the bike is that far off the mark to begin with, and with Honda's resources I think anything is possible quickly if they have the desire !
Hopefully Honda does have the desire, they have a rich history in motorcycle racing and pushing the envelope, being innovative, let's see if they still have that spirit !
BTW, hopefully Yamaha have the desire and spirit to make it happen too !
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You would think so, but they seem unable to work around the ecu and tire problem...both of which were designed for the Ducati, Imo. It's been many years now...they relied on MM to ride around the problems forever. Now they are johnny come lately on aero too.
The same goes for Yamaha.
The same goes for Yamaha.
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Indeed. This isn't like 2004 when Rossi and Burgess found out the Yamaha was using bad software, and the fix involved rewriting some lines of code. The Honda is the worst bike on the grid arguably and even then, it isn't a million miles from the top bikes. The problem is the grid is so close but the technical regs are also very constrained so it's going to take time for them to develop things imo.
Look at Ducati post Stoner.....
Look at Ducati post Stoner.....
Out of curiosity and in case I missed it, is the tech3 bike a factory bike?
I know in reality it is a KTM satellite bike with full factory backing but because gasgas is a manufacturer is that used to get around the guaranteed factory ride wording in a contract?
I know in reality it is a KTM satellite bike with full factory backing but because gasgas is a manufacturer is that used to get around the guaranteed factory ride wording in a contract?
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With all the info about Acoster pointing to getting the second factory seat it would seem that Miller is out. Whether Miller gets a satellite seat or leaves MotoGP is to be seen
I think that this will be Jacks last year with KTM GP. He will move into KTM’s off road section.
Off road is the next best thing, as Sport bike sales are almost zero, but the sales of off road is increasing, looking at Ducati's new 450 Desmo off road bike, that Paolo Ciabatti was moved from GP to manage. Shows the direction they intend to move, this section could spread from a Moto Cross bike, to a 450 road bike.
Jack is a defendant expert in the dirt, and KTM know he can help develop the team as he has for the Gp team, to compete of sales percentage. He could have a good future job.
Teamed up with Toby Price for the Dakar, just my thoughts.
Off road is the next best thing, as Sport bike sales are almost zero, but the sales of off road is increasing, looking at Ducati's new 450 Desmo off road bike, that Paolo Ciabatti was moved from GP to manage. Shows the direction they intend to move, this section could spread from a Moto Cross bike, to a 450 road bike.
Jack is a defendant expert in the dirt, and KTM know he can help develop the team as he has for the Gp team, to compete of sales percentage. He could have a good future job.
Teamed up with Toby Price for the Dakar, just my thoughts.
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Didn't someone here predict The Beast to Aprilia?
Aprilia admit they are keeping an eye on one specific Ducati rider
Aprilia admit they are keeping an eye on one specific Ducati rider
I probably missed something but Aprilia doesn’t seem to consistently have the power/whatever else it takes to consistently be frontrunners. You can argue of course that they don’t really have front running riders. I often think that would be a good place for Fabio. But I can see that is risky.
I would love to see both Fabio and Marc on the Ducati factory team. Obviously won’t happen.
I would love to see both Fabio and Marc on the Ducati factory team. Obviously won’t happen.
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Ducati have not traditionally been noted for man management skills, probably masked in recent years because every Ducati on the grid has been a quality ride. KTM are worse imo because of all the talent they gather from the Red Bull programme and the excellence of their teams in the junior classes, which is then sent to die on their satellite team in the premier class. I am not sure the factory team is really competitive with Ducati except on selected tracks either, but Tech 3/Gasgas hadn’t exactly been a place for young riders to prosper. Acosta and/or his management team at least have an out, and a strong bargaining position given the boom there is on him which appears well justified as it stands.
Is Brad's contract up at the end of 2024 or 2025? At what point do they come to the conclusion he's not "the man"? I like Brad but he's been a bit underwhelming, IMO. He's had flashes but not enough.
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2026
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As MB reported, the only riders contracted beyond 2024 at the moment are:
Binder - End of 2026
Marini - End of 2025
*Zarco - Supposedly he has a 2 yr contract, taking him to the end of 2025, but I've read in more than one place that he has a clause, so it is technically a 1+1.
