Got to be chuffed for Rins this week! In fact, a sterling performance from the top 4 made for a really exciting race, regardless of the other stuff going on.
Kudos to all in the top 4.
Predictions: Where will Zarco go next?
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Got to be chuffed for Rins this week! In fact, a sterling performance from the top 4 made for a really exciting race, regardless of the other stuff going on.
Kudos to all in the top 4.
Rumor has it, during the Austin weekend Zarco has signed a deal with factory KTM for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He'll be taking Smith's seat.
You heard it here first folks
He must be desperate for money if he turns down race winning seats for a KTM seat.
He is making the Bradl mistake, if this is true.
Rumour has it,during the Mugello weekend synn will meet and rip out the spines of any of his detractors.He'll be taking Uccio's seat.Rumor has it, during the Austin weekend Zarco has signed a deal with factory KTM for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He'll be taking Smith's seat.
You heard it here first folks
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That was also my initial thought, but I reckon 3 things must be taken into account:
1) He might not have had many other options. Ducati openly stated to be "uninterested" in him, Yamaha has proven to have never been interested in him, Suzuki is approaching Lorenzo and has already confirmed Rins, Honda well...it's never really been in their policy to put two primadonnas together, am I right? Zarco has said many times that his goal was to be in a factory Team, whatever the bike would have been.
2) He might want to join a Team/Brand that is investing a lot of resources in him. He might want to be the Team's number 1 rider after being treated quite poorly by Yamaha.
3) We yet have to see what KTM's full potential is. KTM has to see it as well themselves, and a top rider (cause that's what Zarco is) might help showing it. They got the resources (I mean the money) to invest. They might turn out to be better than they've looked so far.
All of this are just my 2 cents of course.
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I have no doubt that KTm-Zarco will win races in 18-24 months, but the question is, can a competitive rider like him be patient until that happens?
I personally would like to see Zarco win races ASAP. Been too long since we saw the somersault!
p.s. I don't think Yamaha treated him "Poorly". He is a satellite rider, not a factory one. And he has been given better equipment than what Tech 3 riders have traditionally received (Upgraded engine, 2018 aero, choice of frames. Do you think Bradley Smith and Pol Espergaro were asked which year frame they would prefer to use)?
I personally would like to see Zarco win races ASAP. Been too long since we saw the somersault!
p.s. I don't think Yamaha treated him "Poorly". He is a satellite rider, not a factory one. And he has been given better equipment than what Tech 3 riders have traditionally received (Upgraded engine, 2018 aero, choice of frames. Do you think Bradley Smith and Pol Espergaro were asked which year frame they would prefer to use)?
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Reports were.
Suzuki - he is pissed that they signed Rins over him when he had an in principle agreement.
Honda - showed little interest as they want a Pedrosa type for Marquez (ie. a backup not a challenger)
Yamaha - he is said to be pissed that he is not getting a 2018 bike this season and is having to do with 'second rate gear'.
Aprilia - well, enough said but he wanted something decent.
Ducati - apparently he showed no interest and reports were that they also showed no interest
KTM - Red Bull $
May sound silly, but the longer you go without winning, the harder winning becomes as not winning becomes a habit.
Zarco has had chances in MotoGP to date and has just not been able to put that finishing touch on things. IMO, while there have been a number of reasons, he needs to get that sorted asap.
Smith and Espagaro didn't get any upgrades because they underperformed on the bike so badly that tech 3 nearly lost its monster sponsorship. Everything Yamaha has given him this year he has more than earnt it.
One thing I've often wondered about Zarco trying the 2017 chassis is, which version did he try out? There was 3 of them. The one Vinales used to dominate the start of the season on and then the other two. I doubt he ever tried the first and most successful version of the 2017 chassis.
Anyway as others have pointed out if the rumour is true it could be down to lack of options rather than making a real choice. Ducati were never interested, we don't know how far the Lorenzo to Suzuki talks have gone + he is understandably upset with them, Yamaha isn't an option either and Honda probably don't want their two riders beating each other up every round and/or might feel that like Ducati Zarcos smooth riding style won't suit the RCV. Which really only leaves KTM.
One thing I've often wondered about Zarco trying the 2017 chassis is, which version did he try out? There was 3 of them. The one Vinales used to dominate the start of the season on and then the other two. I doubt he ever tried the first and most successful version of the 2017 chassis.
Anyway as others have pointed out if the rumour is true it could be down to lack of options rather than making a real choice. Ducati were never interested, we don't know how far the Lorenzo to Suzuki talks have gone + he is understandably upset with them, Yamaha isn't an option either and Honda probably don't want their two riders beating each other up every round and/or might feel that like Ducati Zarcos smooth riding style won't suit the RCV. Which really only leaves KTM.
Vinales went back on his initial feedback and said that the first chassis was flawed (Rossi's original feedback) and later determined that his good feeling was more due to a stiffer setup.
As far as I know, all three riders tested the final iteration of the 2017 chassis, which was the closest they came to a fix. Zarco tested it and at first said it felt great (Like Vinales), then went right back to the 2015-16 chassis he was successful on.
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one thing that was hard to miss this past weekend was KTM's brand awareness at COTA, they want to be on the top step of that podium, and they know its going to require a premium rider to do that. KTM also has money and sponsorship partners, they can afford a big money contract, and it wouldn't surprise me if they have made offers to every quality rider on the grid. So it wouldn't surprise me if KTMs offers are not the issue hold up everyone else's 2019 deals on the grid. that means Zarco
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According to motorsport.com, Zarco has reached a verbal agreement with KTM to take Bradley Smith's seat in 2019.
https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/zarco-chooses-ktm-over-honda-2019-1029476/
https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/zarco-chooses-ktm-over-honda-2019-1029476/
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I must assume that it will the number one or at least number two with any manufacturer. I mean when your boss, Hervé Poncharal, a highly respected guy in racing, says you are too good for his team and deserve a factory seat, I think people pay attention.
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Zarco is going factory KTM.
Dovi, according to the rumors, is very pissed at the way Ducati is treating him as it seems they have not made an official offer to him yet. My 2 cents are that Ducati should have signed him as soon as possible, and I'm really not saying that cause I'm a fan, but because as we all know every other rider seems to be a dangerous bet for the Ducati team, Dovi almost won them a title last year...I mean WHAT are they waiting for??
Most definitely the factory team. If they get Dovi as well (unlikely), then pol will be sent to Tech 3 I suppose.
Isn’t Dovi talking to HRC as well?
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rumored to be, so yes.
Point is he would have wanted to sign with Ducati, but obviously expected a raise...if Ducati would let him go it'd be the stupidest thing ever IMHO...
