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New Teams?

Joined Mar 2005
7K Posts | 20+
Woody Creek
Will another competitive team need to be added to accomodate older riders as well as young talent? As it stands we have at least seven riders who have seen their day and are no longer consistant title contenders in Barros, Bayliss, Capirossi, Checa, Biaggi, Gibernau, and Roberts. There are at least two up and coming riders in the 250 class, one in World Superbike, and one already in MotoGP on a D bike, that deserve A or B riders on a Yamaha or Honda that seemingly won't for the time being because there are older riders in the series taking up those seats. Pedrosa and Stoner both deserve B MotoGP rides if not factory rides as Pedrosa is rumored to be getting. Vermeulen deserves the same and it is rumored he will get a Movistar ride but it is unknown. There is a lot of interest in John Hopkins and he deserves the same as Vermeulen, Stoner and Pedrosa but it appears he will not be able to move upward. I have heard of no retirements or moves from those seven riders other than Bayliss going to World Superbike. So we are left with one slot for four extremely talented young riders. Perhaps it is time for Yamaha to field a third team to combat Honda's seven bikes in the constructor's championship race. This is a bit of a ramble but does anyone else see things this way? What I am trying to say is with the exception of Pedrosa's nearly "done deal" will any of the other three riders (Vermeulen, Stoner, or Hopkins) find themselves on a Yamaha or Honda for 2006? If not, where do you think they will be?
 
i agree.
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Hopkins is with Suzuki.
Stoner will stay in 250 for at least one more year.
Vermeulen will stay in WSBK for at least one more year.
 
Well IMHO, If Rossi goes this single bike team, its gonna open a slot next to Edwards, but Rossi says he wants Edwards as a team mate, so it appears there maybe another Yam team on the way, I think Burgess is quite keen on Stoner so something might happen there. Perhaps Yamaha might even bring Nori back into MotoGP (but I'm just dreaming)

Certainly going to be an interesting off season
 
MCN reported Dorna may be introducing a cash for team system, where they help subsidise (sp?) satellite teams...................will try and find a link
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Sep 11 2005, 06:00 AM)<div class='quotemain'>MCN reported Dorna may be introducing a cash for team system, where they help subsidise (sp?) satellite teams. 
this would be a good thing if it happens. the smaller private teams sure could use the cash infusion methinks
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I have to disagree with Capirossi and Gibernau being on that list. I think they are both more than capable with being up front.
 
Read in the MCN that Ducati are looking to field a far stronger satellite team in 06.No idea who will be on it ,anyone?
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That will depend on who is controlling the team. There are rumors that D'Antin will switch to Kawasaki machinery for 2006 which would leave Ducati looking for a new satellite team. I see Herve Poncheral's Tech 3 operation picking up the Ducati machines. As for riders I think we will see Carlos Checa aboard a satellite GP6. I think Ducati have been reasonably pleased with Checa's results, not happy enough to offer him a factory seat but a satellite nonetheless. His experience and capability to be blindingly fast on occasion paired with his sponsorship appeal makes him an ideal rider for a satellite seat looking for a sponsor. For the other seat I really don't see anyone outside of the series making that jump. I have to believe Casey Stoner is going to take a year or two in 250s to win a title and gather interest from factory teams, I don't feel any other 250 rider is capable of coming up at the moment. Looking to other series I just don't see anyone making the jump to a satelite Ducati team. Chris Vermeulen surely won't go unless aboard a Honda, same for Kiyo. The youngsters in the AMA aren't ready yet. I see one of the Brits getting a go at the seat, Shakey or James Ellison should have a shot at the seat. Just my two cents but I think for sure that Ellison has proved his worth in MotoGP.
 
Once again, wise words from ooost. i agree with everything you just said including James Ellison. That bike must be at least 20mph down on top speed, and hes beaten factory bikes on occasion with that wcm blata.