ROSSI REPLACEMENT ?

Official: Yamaha to replace Rossi at Catalunya

Yamaha managing director Lin Jarvis has officially confirmed that the factory will replace injured MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi from Catalunya on July 4 onwards.



Rossi left hospital earlier today (Thursday) to begin his recovery after fracturing his lower right left at Mugello on Saturday morning. The Italian legend, who had never previously missed a race since his 1996 debut in the 125cc class, now hopes to be fit to return at Brno in mid-August.



That would mean, in addition to Mugello, Rossi missing the upcoming events at Silverstone (June 20), Assen (June 26), Catalunya (July 4), Sachsenring (July 18) and Laguna Seca (July 25).



Jarvis confirmed that there will be no new rider alongside 2010 title leader Jorge Lorenzo at Silverstone or Assen, but the team will return to two riders at the start of July.



“We have decided to field a replacement rider from the Catalunya Grand Prix on 4th July,” said Jarvis. “We have chosen the Catalunya Grand Prix to respect our Team Participation obligations to the MotoGP championship and also to take time to select the most suitable rider and to make sure we're organised and well prepared for this new situation."



James Toseland’s manager Roger Burnett confirmed to Racers-Rebublic.com that the former Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP rider is a 'favourite' for the seat, but that no decision had been taken (see story on right).



Jarvis likewise insisted that a decision has not yet been made on who will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride Rossi’s bike, and work with his team, but expects to make an announcement within the next two weeks.



"At this moment I am unable to tell you who the rider will be because we have not yet made a definitive decision,” he explained. “We expect to be able to inform you of our plan next week or at the latest at the Silverstone MotoGP event.



"The Fiat Yamaha Team members working closely with Valentino will not come to Silverstone or Assen, i.e. his team manager (Davide Brivio), his crew chief (Jerry Burgess) and his mechanics,” Jarvis added.



“They will return in Barcelona and they will support the stand-in rider. All other Team and Corporate staff members will attend the coming races as usual.



“Valentino's garage will be set up in Silverstone and Assen and both his YZR-M1s will be there for the fans to see."

Pigeon said:

James Toseland’s manager Roger Burnett confirmed to Racers-Rebublic.com that the former Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP rider is a 'favourite' for the seat, but that no decision had been taken (see story on right).

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Highlighted the most important part of that statement. Roger Burnett is not necessarily the most objective person in this whole situation. There could be reason to believe that Burnett is spinning the situation in the hope of putting pressure on Yamaha. Or am I perhaps being overly cynical?

Kropotkin said:

Highlighted the most important part of that statement. Roger Burnett is not necessarily the most objective person in this whole situation. There could be reason to believe that Burnett is spinning the situation in the hope of putting pressure on Yamaha. Or am I perhaps being overly cynical?

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no..... no way will it be toseland imho. you said it best in your article on the subject. seems to me that it's more than likely to be a test rider........ ooorrrrr..... garry mccoy!...... wishful thinkin i know!

Toseland trying to steal another crew chief i see

Give the ride to Max Biaggi. Then when he doesn't win see if he says the yam is ....

chopperman said:

Give the ride to Max Biaggi. Then when he doesn't win see if he says the yam is ....

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ROFL! Geez I miss this place!!

Bikergirl said:

ROFL! Geez I miss this place!!

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Hiya mate, where you been hangin out ? You need to post here more often, those Haydenettes (jum) have been running wild here lately How bout melandri at mugello then ?? Still some fight in the old dog.

Bikergirl said:

ROFL! Geez I miss this place!!

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Hey whats up? Geez, was worried about you. I know motherhood must be tuff but you've been gone a while little lady.

Oops.... never mind!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...e/jun1110-cal-crutchlow-to-get-motogp-chance/



Crutchlow into Edwards place as Toseland has twice as many points in SBK to risk.



Edwards on Rossi's bike as he is the only non-rookie Yam. have available.

BarryMachine said:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...e/jun1110-cal-crutchlow-to-get-motogp-chance/



Crutchlow into Edwards place as Toseland has twice as many points in SBK to risk.



Edwards on Rossi's bike as he is the only non-rookie Yam. have available.

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Not to mention if CE goes up and Toseland would go to Tech3 then he would have to work with the crew chief he dumped, or not?

I am not saying it is impossible, but it would be just a little bit ackward. If Spies got the shot, he can not take House cause Burgess is there, that might not be pleasant for them either.

The easiest solution is to take JT directly to the Fiat Team and work with the mighty Burgess. (Btw where is the crew chief Toseland and CE was fighting about?)

I see no way Crutchlow getting the ride, he is fast for a lap but could not yet win a race in WSB and he has a tendency to drop the bike either.

Or they could make me happy and hire McCoy. I bet he would be as fast as Crutchlow, in the races I mean.

torro said:

The easiest solution is to take JT directly to the Fiat Team and work with the mighty Burgess. (Btw where is the crew chief Toseland and CE was fighting about?)

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Agreed, but maybe Toseland is further into the SBK series commitment wise. It would be writing off his season there, for what looks like a more obscure chance of impressing again. Though as you said .... they do have Burgess

I think a test rider will be on CE's bike not Crutchlow.

Lorenzo-Spies is the Yamaha team for the post-Rossi era. If they put Spies on the factory Yamaha now, it will be because they know that Rossi actually will not race with them in 2011. No use promoting Ben for a few races and then demoting him again to Tech3, and then let him wait there.



I think Yamaha are not looking forward to another year of Rossi-Lorenzo civil war. In spite of what Jarvis keeps saying about the beauty of having two riders always head-to-head for the title, that's not a situation that was created intentionally and it's not such a desirable situation either.



I think the choice of Rossi's "replacement" will tell a lot about Rossi's own future with Yamaha.

chopperman said:

Give the ride to Max Biaggi. Then when he doesn't win see if he says the yam is ....

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Kropotkin said:

It won't be JT, a little birdie told me. And the rookie rule doesn't prevent Spies (or any other rookie) from taking the ride. It's about entering for the championship, not for a few races.

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You mean Rossi will be replaced for the rest of the championship? This sounds like news

J4rn0 said:

You mean Rossi will be replaced for the rest of the championship? This sounds like news

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I think you're misunderstanding me. I didn't make myself clear enough. Rossi won't be replaced for the rest of the championship. If he was, then the rookie rule might (only might, however) prevent a rookie from taking his place. But as Rossi will only be out for a number of races, a rookie can take his place as a substitute rider. The rookie rule is meant to prevent factory teams from signing a rider for a full season.

Kropotkin said:

I think you're misunderstanding me. I didn't make myself clear enough. Rossi won't be replaced for the rest of the championship. If he was, then the rookie rule might (only might, however) prevent a rookie from taking his place. But as Rossi will only be out for a number of races, a rookie can take his place as a substitute rider. The rookie rule is meant to prevent factory teams from signing a rider for a full season.

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Yup... I see now, thanks

Bikergirl said:

ROFL! Geez I miss this place!!

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we miss you sweetheart...... drop by more would ya!

J4rn0 said:

Lorenzo-Spies is the Yamaha team for the post-Rossi era. If they put Spies on the factory Yamaha now, it will be because they know that Rossi actually will not race with them in 2011. No use promoting Ben for a few races and then demoting him again to Tech3, and then let him wait there.



I think Yamaha are not looking forward to another year of Rossi-Lorenzo civil war. In spite of what Jarvis keeps saying about the beauty of having two riders always head-to-head for the title, that's not a situation that was created intentionally and it's not such a desirable situation either.



I think the choice of Rossi's "replacement" will tell a lot about Rossi's own future with Yamaha.

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Rossi has declared from his hospital bed that he has a ride next year so he doesn't have to worry about coming back too soon to prove anything. You can read this in many ways but I think that he already knows whats going to happen next year as far as his future goes. Your right though, whomever takes his place next year could tell the general public where Yamaha might be going.