It sounds more and more like Rossi will be going back to Yamaha; which of course would be awesome.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Maybe with Schwantz at the helm. Ben and Kevin are tight, and Kevin has made no bones about wanting to lead Suzuki in Moto GP. One thing for sure, Spies is to talented for WSBK and AMA.
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Yeah, I guess DePuniet and Espargaro need some competition, eh?
I didn't see this coming so soon or like this, but it seems to me like the right thing to do. Ben was not getting on well enough on the factory bike so it makes sense for him not to be there next year. Although from the sounds of it, he doesn't seem very pleased with at least some of the people (or maybe just the whole culture) of the team he is leaving. It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the wash.
I wonder where he'll go next year, Julian Ryder mentioned a Suzuki rumour in his culumn a few weeks ago...
As for Yamaha, they now have the most desirable seat on the grid free so I'm sure there will be a lot of rumours kicking around over the summer break, I can't wait to find out who gets the job
Agreed, I just hope he isn't in that Colin Edwards position of being too good for WSBK but not good enough for Motogp success
I wonder where he'll go next year, Julian Ryder mentioned a Suzuki rumour in his culumn a few weeks ago...
As for Yamaha, they now have the most desirable seat on the grid free so I'm sure there will be a lot of rumours kicking around over the summer break, I can't wait to find out who gets the job
Agreed, I just hope he isn't in that Colin Edwards position of being too good for WSBK but not good enough for Motogp success
Joined Oct 2011
307 Posts | 47+
Up ..... Creek
I remember that rumor too, but then it just disappeared. I remember something to the effects of Schwantz leading a Suzuki effort with Rossi and Spied sponsored by Coca Cola. It would be a huge splash if that were to happen.
Personally, I don't think Rossi should leave Ducati before that bike becomes competitive. But hypothetically speaking, I could imagine him taking the opportunity to join Suzuki, if said rumor were true.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Joined Jun 2008
2K Posts | 6+
America
It was only speculation. Recently a spy pic of the new Suzuki GP bike was posted, and the onlookers say that it is a crossplane crankshaft.
Joined Jun 2007
3K Posts | 309+
UK
Joined Jul 2007
5K Posts | 1K+
unda cheese
Amatuer hour by Ben to feed the tabloid frenzy with his vague tweet.
Dont say .... unless you got something to say.
I called a Spies, Hayden, Zuc effort months ago.
Dont say .... unless you got something to say.
I called a Spies, Hayden, Zuc effort months ago.
OK...Here is my wishful thinking...
I think Ben is going to BMW. He has been linked to the WSBK BMW Italia team who is shutting down their current factory squad at motorad and focussing on the Italia effort. This would put him in a great position...the BMW is rightly sorted now as a powerhouse in WSBK and with GP moving in the direction of superbikes the BMW could be one hell of a contender in a reconfigured GP series. Couple that with the recent interview of BMW talking about the current state of GP and how they may throw their hat in the ring if the eventual formula were agreeable to a shot at being competitive. Maybe he runs in WSBK for a year and then leads BMW into GP in 2014 or maybe BMW even throws their hat in the ring next year if the situation seems agreeable to them.
IMO the further away you get from the #1 rider in the pecking order the more control you have over your own situation. Being #2 to Jorge is a little too close for a person to have a meaningful measure of success on your own terms (especially if your riding style differs significantly from said rider and you are stuck ferreting out parts and setups to serve them and not yourself). I don't think he is happy being a test monkey for Jorge's title run and wants to be some place where he can be THE GUY.
I think Ben is going to BMW. He has been linked to the WSBK BMW Italia team who is shutting down their current factory squad at motorad and focussing on the Italia effort. This would put him in a great position...the BMW is rightly sorted now as a powerhouse in WSBK and with GP moving in the direction of superbikes the BMW could be one hell of a contender in a reconfigured GP series. Couple that with the recent interview of BMW talking about the current state of GP and how they may throw their hat in the ring if the eventual formula were agreeable to a shot at being competitive. Maybe he runs in WSBK for a year and then leads BMW into GP in 2014 or maybe BMW even throws their hat in the ring next year if the situation seems agreeable to them.
IMO the further away you get from the #1 rider in the pecking order the more control you have over your own situation. Being #2 to Jorge is a little too close for a person to have a meaningful measure of success on your own terms (especially if your riding style differs significantly from said rider and you are stuck ferreting out parts and setups to serve them and not yourself). I don't think he is happy being a test monkey for Jorge's title run and wants to be some place where he can be THE GUY.
My initial thoughts were this direction as well since Ben's history is with Suzuki. It will be very interesting watching this unfold.
Anywhere Ben can be a #1 is where he is going to land..that much is certain.
Anywhere Ben can be a #1 is where he is going to land..that much is certain.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
This.
That is the aspect all are overlooking.
And on top of that, being held suspended in contract limbo waiting for Rossi to decide if he wants his bike or not. Enough.
