Gossip from Italy

Time to revive this thread methinks....

Here's the latest goss from the Boot of Europe:

Martinez (Aspar) would like to put Bautista on a Satellite ducati next year. It would mean giving up on his 125cc team or the 250cc one. Suzuki have turned him down but Ducati appear to be considering saying yes. It would mean the D'Antin team would lose a bike (and probably Guintoli). Aprilia are none too happy (it would mean losing a client team) and are attempting to put the oar in. Watch this space for updates...

While in Suzukiland, it seems that while Spies is confirmed as a one-off wildcard, all the talk about putting Spies on a Suzuki in motogp with Schwantz at the helm has been just that. Talk. Suzuki want an official team and nothing more.

Melandri and Ducati, despite a 2 year contract, might both be willing to consider an early termination (yeah like we hadn't noticed ) and Melandri might go back to Gresini- although the parting having been less than amicable good old Macio should probably not expect the pay cheque he's been used to in the past.
In that case Ducati might consider putting Hayden on their second bike (nice) but are also checking out Aoyama and Kallio.

Nicky's ride would then go to Dovi, who's probably earned it after years of loyalty (not that Nicky hasn't been too loyal for his own good!!!)

Capirossi should remain at Suzuki, possibly with Vermeulen, but if Vermy's not renewed then possibly with Spies. Hmmm....

Texas Tornado (or breeze as Sun would say) is talking to Kawasaki. Don't do it Col...frog green is NOT your colour!!!!

Here's the Linky to the original article.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L8Braker @ May 29 2008, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I can only hope that Nicky does decide to take a ride with another manufacture, just to test the waters and see how he does. Ducati as much as I want to believe would be a good fit for Nicky; but if an Italian who speaks Italian can't get along with the bike, how is Nicky going to fare?
Can hardly fare worse than Marco. Don't get me wrong I love the guy but the Duc and he just haven't clicked.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ May 29 2008, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>2008 has been a real tough year for Nicky so far.
What does he have to lose? Nothing.

Thanks for the translation bikergirl
TO be clear, it's not a translation. Just a rough quick summary.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ May 29 2008, 03:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hopefully the 2009 bike will have a better chassis. They have taken a wrong turn for a year and recovered the next in the past. As others have said though it increasingly looks like it was a bad idea to organise to have all their ex-riders pissed off with them, carlos checa in particular, in terms of development. Loris capirossi was probably unavoidable, as they had already signed marco. I am also a marco admirer and hope next year will be much better wherever he is.
They should've taken Vale on back in 04. THey'd never have looked back. Only they didn't want the brand to be swamped by the man. Big big mistake. With him working on development and his attitude and hoardes of fans Ducati would have won a world title far earlier.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ May 29 2008, 03:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Where's the good gossip??....who are the boys .......?
Whoever pays their salary in the case of Guintoli and West.