Gossip from Italy

Get some help Skidmark!!!!
I'm surprised Frosty isn't all over this thread. Frosty boy! where are you???
He's probably stuck on the Elisabetta calendar website

So are you all going to queue up for lessons now???
Bless....how little it takes to get a man to his knees

More Marco News: Following what happened to Elias Marco has basically made a statement that with no changes to the bike, he doesn't want to take any risks in trying to push it harder. His comment was something like "They're my bones and I've broken them enough". Gresini is mightily pissed off. His reply was the bike might not be the top one on the grid, but it's worth more than a last place. The honeymoon's definitely over between those two.

Interview with Cecchinello: Commented about how bad the feeling in the front of the bike is. Seems that Honda might be considering bringing in bits of th old bike to improve the situation.

On the other hand the big man from Honda, who arrived with a contract for Dani, has actually defended the riders. (Hmmmm, although something tells me he's more likely to be holding a dagger behind his back. I mean WHEN do Honda admit they've got it wrong?) He's said all the honda bikes on the grid will have new bits at Brno.

Rossi meanwhile was overheard telling his mechanics the front was too hard.

Not websites. Get most of my bits from good old Loris Reggiani, Alberto Porta and Paolo Bertramo on Italia 1. Of course there was no race commentary today as Italian journalists are on strike. The good bit of that was there were no voices talking over the audio coming in from the boxes which was cool.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krusty @ Jul 3 2007, 04:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks Biker Girl!
Any gossip on who is on the outer at Team Green to make way for Marco or Loris?
I always thought #46 was gay
You're welcome.
I get the feeling a lot of people on here would find the average italian guy 'gay'

I'm afraid I picked up no fresh gossip at Assen because there was no race commentary due to a journalists strike. Apparently the race was re-screened on Sunday with commentary but I didn't know about it till later. Apologies. I'll make sure I'll have some good stuff for you from Sachsenring.

What I do have is some moves stuff from the Gazzetta dello Sport. I have no idea how reliable this is. The commentators during the race normally have their gossip spot on and straight from the horses' mouths.
Starting from the juicy stuff, Ducati will most likely line up Melandri alongside Stoner. (Stoner signed on for 2008 a couple of weeks back it seems, and according to his dad they're expecting a contract for 2009/2010 to be in hand before the end of this season). Those in the know (apparently) are saying Marco is already signed on to replace Capirossi for 08. A pre-contract signed between Marco and Ducati at the end of last season when he was 'made' to stay at Gresini is mentioned again here. It seems that if that doesn't work out Ducati have put out feelers for Dovi. Dovi however, is already apparently contracted with his current team manager Cirano Mularoni to remain with his current team but race in Motogp. This contract stipulates that he will have to have an RC212V with adequate technical support. If they cannot provide that, then little Andrea will be free to ride for another Honda team. It seems Dovi was also courted by Suzuki, who will be losing Hopkins. Hoppers, it seems, is being asked by his personal sponsors (some energy drink stuff made in the US) to go to Kawasaki. This means that next season's Kawa line-up is most likely to consist of a Capirossi-Hopkins duo although retaining De Puniet is still being considered at this time because he seems to be improving (hadn't noticed that myself ) and he's cheap.
Suzuki have confirmed Vermy. Talk of having a 3rd Suzuki or a 3rd Kawa on the grid next year is being shot down at this point.
Back to the Hondas...three riders are currently in line for the 2 seats on the Gresini team, being JT, Alex De angelis and Toni Elias. The Repsol team should remain as is, even though Puig is refusing to sign until Honda can prove itself to be competitive.
With regards to the Yams, there is some speculation as to whether Edwards will be given the chop or not. Lorenzo seems to be definitely on his way to a Motogp Yamaha ride next year, however there is talk of setting up a separate structure for him so he'd be on a one-rider team of his own, and the fifth yam on the grid. With regards to Poncheral's Yam team there's no talk about riders yet, but it seems to be confirmed they will be swapping their Dunlops for Michelins.