Silly Season

I wanted to start a topic where we can discuss all the rumors that are milling about for next season because that always is interesting.

Dani Pedrosa to Repsol Honda? I posted it a few days ago and it was brought up again, apparently his manager and HRC have a gentlemen's agreement.

Mat Mladin leaving AMA? Reportedly approached by a European team to race either WSB or MotoGP. When questioned he responded with a "No comment".

As a college student nearing the end of finals week my brain is about as cooked as McCoy's tires so I can't think of anymore. Hopefully this will be an ongoing topic throughout the season. Happy hunting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost69 @ May 20 2005, 05:11 AM)<div class='quotemain'>I wanted to start a topic where we can discuss all the rumors that are milling about for next season because that always is interesting.

Dani Pedrosa to Repsol Honda?  I posted it a few days ago and it was brought up again, apparently his manager and HRC have a gentlemen's agreement.

Mat Mladin leaving AMA?  Reportedly approached by a European team to race either WSB or MotoGP.  When questioned he responded with a "No comment".

As a college student nearing the end of finals week my brain is about as cooked as McCoy's tires so I can't think of anymore.  Hopefully this will be an ongoing topic throughout the season.  Happy hunting.
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Dont think Mladin will go MotoGP I think if he did that would have been long ago...


What about OJ taking Hoffmans ride @ Kawasaki?

What about OJ taking Hoffmans ride @ Kawasaki?
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That seems likely. What has hoffman ever done? Anyone know?

I'm not sure what Hofmann ever did to snag a MotoGP ride, it seemed to almost fall into his lap. I would like to see what OJ could do for a full season, I don't think he would light the world on fire but he couldn't do them any worse than Hofmann has been lately. Might help develop the bike a bit more as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Silly Season: Mladin To MotoGP With HRC?
by dean adams
Friday, May 20, 2005

The Spanish print mag' Motociclismo included a report this week that should fan the flames of the US silly season. The report links five time Superbike champion Mat Mladin with an HRC GP ride in 2006.

The report states that HRC is believed to be looking for a very mentally strong rider for 2006, one that can assist Sete Gibernau in a title fight against Rossi and Yamaha, and they feel Mladin may be the rider to do so.

The story includes this extremely hard to believe info: that the push for HRC to hire Mladin originated at American Honda. Uh-huh. With Mladin and DuHamel's crews seemingly ready to trade blows at any given moment this season, and with Mladin's pit lane taunting of the Honda team, it's pretty hard to believe anyone in Torrance is going to help Mat get a GP ride, whether he deserves one or not. But maybe this is just part of the ...-for-tat between American Honda and American Suzuki over motocrosser Rick Carmichael? Not bloody likley, as they say in England.

When asked about the published Spanish GP story this week, Mladin had no comment.

Courtesy www.superbikeplanet.com

I am very, very anxious to see this happen. Not only to get some fresh faces on the top step of the podium here in the states but also to see where he really stacks up among the world's best.

rumour has it biaggi to kawasaki? if danni goes to repsol then who knows...
tis a bit early thow for the silly end

What is it with Biaggi and being linked with the lower Japanese factories at the early stages of silly season? Last year he was to go to Suzuki (I know to work with Kanemoto but still) and now Kawasaki. Although it would make sense this year, I don't know who else would take him. Honda seems to have their sights set on the riders they want, Yamaha has a star studded factory squad and a young and talented "satelite" team and I guess I don't know Ducati's situation. The pieces in this puzzle may fit.

Being Italian Biaggi on a Duke?

Checa has never really impressed me and in my view done Troy a favour taking his seat as he has improved a bit with Camel Honda.

troy can only ride donkeys

I wish I would say I had some information on Biaggi, Checa, or Bayliss' contracts because they all could be moving. I'm sure Ducati would love to have an all Italian team with Biaggi and Capirossi and Checa could go anywhere, I mean he's spanish so sponsorship money can't be too far behind. I've heard some things about Bayliss being offerred factory WSB or AMA Superbike rides from Ducati. Should be an interesting silly season.

Jerry Burgess has tipped Ozzie Casey Stoner to move to Moto GP as a few of the big teams have expressed an interest..

Full report here

It was just reported at superbikeplanet.com that Mat Mladin and American Suzuki are negotiating a contract that will see him ride in the AMA series through 2008. Bummer.

wot a shame i was hoping he would give moto gp another chance.

Yeah me too, the good news is you never know with Mladin. It's very possible that he wants a three year deal and it doesn't matter where, once he agrees to a contract amount with Suzuki he can then go to whoever is trying to get him to ride in Europe and say "hey, I can make this much money with American Suzuki over three years, if you want a championship sign me to a three year deal and pay me more than what American Suzuki is offerring and we have a deal." Hopefully that is the scenario that is playing out... fingers crossed.

John Hopkins' deal with Suzuki was a one year only, he is free for 2006 and is very valuable property in the paddock. It seems Suzuki is prepared to lose him as it is also rumored that they are in contacts with Loris Capirossi. I said before that Bayliss is most likely returning to the superbike stage with Ducati, well it is now rumored that he will be on Honda machinery in WSB. Other WSB rumors involving MotoGP riders? There are whispers that HRC will break the MSMA boycott of factory entries in WSB and form an HRC WSB team... who is rumored to pilot one of these full factory HRC CBR1000RRs? Nicky Hayden.

Hottest news on this side of the pond... Neil Hodgson to ride for American Honda next season. Read the full story here.

Courtesy www.superbikeplanet.com

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ Jun 20 2005, 07:05 PM)<div class='quotemain'>Hottest news on this side of the pond...  Neil Hodgson to ride for American Honda next season.  Read the full story here.

Courtesy www.superbikeplanet.com
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Anyone got info on Vermuelean to MotoGP? Heard its gonna happen!!

I would be very surprised if he goes in 2006, I think Honda would like to give him one more shot at the WSB crown before they bring him up. My guess is he will be in MotoGP for the 2007 season.

I just read an article previewing the Gauloises Assen TT on www.superbikeplanet.com that had a couple of silly season rumors in it. Along with Pedrosa's step up to the premier class on a Honda for 2006 there is a rumor another Honda prodigy may join him. Chris Vermeulen is now rumored to be making the step up for 2006. What slot you may be asking yourself? It is also rumored that Sete Gibernau feels as though his best chance at Rossi is not on a Honda. Don't ask me why but that is the rumor. If that is the case it is very likely Melandri will take his factory slot in the Gresini garage making room for for Chris the V in the Gresini Movistar camp. If that is the case Honda would have four of the most coveted young riders in MotoGP in Pedrosa, Hayden, Melandri, and Vermeulen with Tamada, Barros, and Biaggi representing the old guard. Doesn't sound like too bad of a line up does it?

The sooner the better i say Ooost. Get Vermeulen and Pedrosa into MotoGP!!!!

Biaggi might win A race this year but he's no title contender now.

Sete? dont get me wrong i'd like to see him push Rossi even more but i cant see him getting close to Vale in the points this year( unless he pulls off a 2002Edwards and suddenly gains on him in the last few races, even then he still wouldnt do it)

Barros? can occasionally pull off a remarkable performance but again, no title contender i think now.

Lets get the young blood into motoGP, they are all hungry to have a stab(not litterally!) at rossi.

As for Biaggi, Barros, Gibernau and a few others, it looks like their having a drink in the last chance saloon...

I think Gibernau and Biaggi will still be around for 3 or 4 more years but won't be title challengers. Just riding around and whatnot. As far as Barros goes you have to wonder when he will retire, I thought I read somewhere he raced a 500 at the last USGP. That is a long time to be racing, I have lots of respect for Barros and I enjoy his riding but get out before you hurt yourself bud.