Satellite Seat Contracts

With all but one Factory seat settled the Satellite rides will be coming into play. All three riders that are ending their current contract are performing rather poorly for the amount of money being tossed at their program. So will we be seeing new helmets or will the teams remain intact? Who are the possible candidates if change occurs?

One thing that is clear, Redding is not developing fast enough to warrant a Sat bike. Think his "get to the front desire" is being overpowered by his "this stuff is dangerous reflex". We are 9 races in and it's time to start pushing for him to have a chance to advance. Sachsenring is short enough for him to show his talents on the RCV.

I sure think that Iannone deserves a lot better ride than he currently has. Maybe he's waiting around for Crutchlow to jump ship and get that big Ducati money. Hopefully the customer Honda's are a little more worthy of their price tags next season and that should tighten things up a lot. I agree that Redding needs to show a better pace opposed to giving Bautista seat to him, although it would probably be cheaper for them since he probably won't put the bike down once a session. I guess I'm not sure who else is worthy of a ride currently in the GP's. Maybe someone would be willing to gamble on a Moto 2 rider. Kallio would at least be accustom to the pace and bikes. I'm excited to see if Dovi can get that Ducati up front consistently. I've really been enjoying the wheel to wheel racing regardless of the current sweep.

Think everyone is waiting to see which way Cal is going. Once he decides Ducati or no all the pieces will fall into place. He only has until the end of this month to exercise his opt out option or he will be locked in for another year. Unless Ducati buys him out.

Now that's twisted.........

Honda said they are not interested in Cal. The only reason why Yamaha / T3 would take him back is if they feel the need to have a Brit riding for them and want to sack Smith. I am more than sure that Ducati want him to leave, but without having to buy him out. Nearly every make can choose from riders at least equally fast, cheaper, less frustrated and less complaining. except for Suzuki maybe. I think Bradl will stay. Bautista might be replacef (if) by a Spanish or Italian. Don't know about Smith. might end up at Forward. Hard to tell about the second Tech 3 seat.

sewarion said:

Honda said they are not interested in Cal. The only reason why Yamaha / T3 would take him back is if they feel the need to have a Brit riding for them and want to sack Smith. I am more than sure that Ducati want him to leave, but without having to buy him out. Nearly every make can choose from riders at least equally fast, cheaper, less frustrated and less complaining. except for Suzuki maybe. I think Bradl will stay. Bautista might be replacef (if) by a Spanish or Italian. Don't know about Smith. might end up at Forward. Hard to tell about the second Tech 3 seat.

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Poor Bradley - and it's not because he is not trying nor even lack of talent. Two crashes in FP 1 did not help his cause and that is the story each round. Something always happens to keep him down in spite of brilliant momentary flashes of his ability. Must be some kind of bad Karma.

AB will more than likely renew his relationship with Suzuki. He has got to be tired of testing those non standard GP parts by himself. He should go Suzy if offered. The factory perks alone would be better than being a lone test mule.

Bradl rides for free or pony's up a fee to ride. Have heard it both ways. Either way LCR will want to keep that deal but Honda may want more performance from the SAT.

Bradley Smith had 5 crashes at Sachsenring trying to insure he gets a contract to stay with the team. Herve has a deal with Yamaha where Yamaha pays for his crash damage. It would be a hellava lot cheaper on Yamaha if they told Herve to renew the lad's contract. The 5 crashes alone probably cost more than his wages for 2 more years.