Nicky's contract

Is Hayden's contract with HRC or the Honda Repsol team?

I can't see Nicky boy staying in the factory seat unless he can find a solution to his problems, and fast.

I've heard a RUMOUR Honda might be offering it to James Toseland should Nicky continue to falter, and James continue to dominate WSBK. (crosses fingers)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ May 3 2007, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is Hayden's contract with HRC or the Honda Repsol team?

I can't see Nicky boy staying in the factory seat unless he can find a solution to his problems, and fast.

I've heard a RUMOUR Honda might be offering it to James Toseland should Nicky continue to falter, and James continue to dominate WSBK. (crosses fingers)

AFAIK the contract is with the team.

Are Honda known to be loyal to contracts?

I'm sure Nicky's contract is with HRC, but it will specify that he is a "factory" rider

Its with Honda Racing and runs thru the end of next year.As far as Toseland replacing Hayden,lets not go overboard.All they would be getting is a fresh face,not a better rider.Dont get me wrong,i am a Toesland fan but it is way premature to be thinking Honda would terminate a contract from the defending World Champion and risk pissing off the fan base that purchases the majority of its bikes world wide.Now at the end of next year,if things have not improved, their most likely be a divorce but i would see someone like Melandri getting the factory seat,not Toseland.Ten Kate has made it clear he wants to go Gp and that would be a more likely ride for Toseland

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ May 3 2007, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its with Honda Racing and runs thru the end of next year.As far as Toseland replacing Hayden,lets not go overboard.All they would be getting is a fresh face,not a better rider.Dont get me wrong,i am a Toesland fan but it is way premature to be thinking Honda would terminate a contract from the defending World Champion and risk pissing off the fan base that purchases the majority of its bikes world wide.Now at the end of next year,if things have not improved, their most likely be a divorce but i would see someone like Melandri getting the factory seat,not Toseland.Ten Kate has made it clear he wants to go Gp and that would be a more likely ride for Toseland

I agree. If Hayden doesn't retain the title, doesn't win more than 1 race he'll probably be nudged sideways to gresini or maybe with JT at Ten Kate. Melandri would most likely go to the factory squad under the illusion that he'll win because he has a factory bike ala Alex Barros, Max Biaggi. What Melandri will need to consider is if the Honda doesn't improve this year to the point where he can compete for wins at every round, going factory wont necessarily make the difference he needs.

I think he'll have another shot at a Ducati ride for 08. I think Loris will call it quits at the end of the season (well mid season I'm sure Ducati would need an answer by then) especially if Stoner is outracing him at most rounds.

Next years teams will be quite interesting, Lorenzo will move up and I'll assume Dovi goes with him, the chance that James Toseland could get a Honda ride (with or without Ten Kate). Edwards, Jacque, Barros and Checa will hopefully be unemployed next year or maybe KRJR will have a team mate!!!

Tom Made the point in another thread about the implications of Elias taking Honda's maiden 800cc victory. An all-Spanish Repsol/HRC Pedrosa/Elias dream team? JT will be in GP's next year for sure. A lot will depend on wether or not more teams decide to defect from Michelin to B/Stone. If HRC make that call then surely Elias or Melandri would be favourites for the HRC seat over anyone else. But it's waaaay too early to speculate. Hayden's got to perform though or he'll get ditched alright.

There is a lot of politics on how riders are selectd. Honda would love to have an american (thats why Nicky got it in the first place) so as to keep the americans rooting for Nicky (just how many non americans are Nicky fans?) and buying Honda products. Repsol (a spanish oil company) wants a spanish rider and they got Pedrosa. Plus, they are trying to enter the american market, so Nicky helps. As long as Nicky does not bad mouth the bike (like Biaggi does). But, Honda wants to win races. So, if Pedrosa wins and Nicky stays in the middle of the pack, I think they will keep him.

But, I Toseland definetly deserves a a shot at MotoGP. With Ilmore dropping out, I think he will enter as a member of the proposed Ten Kate team, not HRC.

Replace Hayden with JT? .... Phleq, he ain't that good. True, he can beat Bayliss on a superbike, which is no mean feat, but put him on a factory RCV and I bet a case of ice cold coronas even "struggling" Nicky would tear him limb from limb. Hayden might look crap right now, but he's still on a whole different level to a rider with no GP experience like JT.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ May 4 2007, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Replace Hayden with JT? .... Phleq, he ain't that good. True, he can beat Bayliss on a superbike, which is no mean feat, but put him on a factory RCV and I bet a case of ice cold coronas even "struggling" Nicky would tear him limb from limb. Hayden might look crap right now, but he's still on a whole different level to a rider with no GP experience like JT.

I agree