Silly Season

OK folk,weekly dose of MCN.Shakey is linked with Rolfo`s Duke ride as Rolf is rumoured to a switch to Yam and the Shake MAY do the last coupla gp`s on it.BIG news is if Hopper stays at Suzi then its likely that KRjr is out and seeking work AND Paul Denning is showing a large interest in Shakey and James Ellison withy promises to all that Suzuki will have a big step up in development.If they can give it more speed and a little more handling it`s gonna be sweet for whoever rides it,I`d like to think anyway.

Hes a good bloke that Paul Denning.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RallyeRon @ Aug 24 2005, 02:02 PM)<div class='quotemain'>Hes a good bloke that Paul Denning.
<div align="right<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He must beleive in his convictions to consider `no hope` (as some think) riders.I really think this is THE bike for Shakey or Ellison.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RallyeRon @ Aug 24 2005, 03:02 PM)<div class='quotemain'>Hes a good bloke that Paul Denning.
<div align="right<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He wants to make his mind up about Shakey!!!!!!!!!!! last weeks MCN he said no way........could just be media spin of course!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Aug 24 2005, 03:15 PM)<div class='quotemain'>He wants to make his mind up about Shakey!!!!!!!!!!!  last weeks MCN he said no way........could just be media spin of course!
<div align="right<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wasn`t that Toseland ?

I know he has told JT to look elsewhere but I have heard nothing negative from Denning towards Ellison or Shakey.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (drill @ Aug 24 2005, 06:04 PM)<div class='quotemain'>Wasn`t that Toseland ?
<div align="right<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doh!......................your right, I dont even know what I'm talking about these days

It would be great if Shakey got a Suzuki ride

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Aug 24 2005, 06:04 PM)<div class='quotemain'>Doh!......................your right, I dont even know what I'm talking about these days 

It would be great if Shakey got a Suzuki ride
<div align="right<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
DOH!!!.....Homer Chimpson

In the Czech GP Preview from www.superbikeplanet.com, wonderfully written by Toby Hirst, there are a couple more rumors to be found. There have been whispers for some time of Capirossi's return to Honda but it was generally ruled out as there were not enough seats for the Italian. And the most likely scenario of his former employer Sito Pons re-employing Capirossi seem dashed as surely Pons will fill his Camel sponsored seat with Camel sponsored rider Max Biaggi. Now we hear Luca Monitron is in talks with HRC to receive a second bike to field, which could surely be ridden by Loris Capirossi making it a true Japan Italy Racing effort.

Kawasaki are reporting showing interest in fielding 3 or even 4 bikes in 2006 and since Yamaha have cut ties with the Tech 3 team Kawasaki machinery may be a very sound option. Herve Poncheral, boss of the Tech 3 squad, has not announced his intentions for 2006 and some believe he is not interested in the cost of fielding a team anymore. Which leaves another opportunity, there are grumblings that a top 250cc team are planning on making the jump up to MotoGP, if that team decides to do so Kawasaki machinery would most likely be the most available and affordable option for them.

There are reports that the Luis D'Antin squad have landed a new sponsor that will help the team create a more competitive effort for 2006... should that rumor bear fruit. The sponsor in question has apparently already signed on and there is talk of the team fielding a second rider alongside Roberto Rolfo for the remainder of 2005. The name most often associated with that rumor is Shakey Byrne. I find it very unlikely that Byrne will ride a MotoGP machine again in 2005 but it is a rumor none the less.

And finally the John Hopkins to Ducati rumor is still burning strong. This is the longest silly season rumor I can remember, I believe it is going on one year now.

Thanks Ooost- something interesting!!

Capirossi to Honda- Very interesting. IMO he would do better on an RCV than on a Duke, i think the RCV would suit his 250 style.

Hopper to Duke- like u said oost, its been burning for a long time and i doubt it will happen. I think he will either stay at suzuki or take a honda if one comes along.

Byrne? I heard a while back, when he first came to GP, that Dorna. or some ruling... people... BOSSES OF MOTOGP or someone, wanted him in motogp to aid british support. I dont know wether he meant fans or british commercial interest or money (prob both) but at the mo he is the most successfull british rider in GP and they would be fools to get rid of him. I would love to see shakey at suzuki.

Thanks for the rumours again Ooost.

Yeah good article that, keep the gossip coming Ooost

This is going to be a superb 2 months, just giving my couch a tune up

There have been multiple posts at www.planet-f1.com that Telefonica Movistar have announced they will leave the Gresini Honda team at the end of the year to become the title sponsor of the Renault F1 team. There are no official links but it has been labeled as "confirmed" by members of the site. If true, this could be the beginning of the rumored Red Bull Honda which would very likely field John Hopkins. And in a diary entry at his own website www.hopperracing.com he claimed that he is very close to announcing where he will be riding next year, within the next two weeks. This whole Red Bull Honda with John Hopkins thing might just be crazy enough to work.

It is reported at www.superbikeplanet.com in a Julian Ryder article that it is all but officially announced that John Hopkins will ride for Suzuki for another two years.

Well at least he'll still be on a MotoGP bike the next 2 years, even if it's a Suzuki.

Hey Ooost whats up?

It would be great to see the Red Bull Honda thing work. Red Bull wants to come back to MotoGP and with KTM no longer running a team then the Austrian engine/Austrian sponsor thing will not happen. Wherever John goes there will be Red Bull and it would be great if they sponsored his team full time.

The JiR team will most likely field either Melandri or Capirossi if it is to be a two-man team if they want to live up to the name. Biaggi would be a great candidate but he looks to replace Bayliss since Max already has ties with Camel.

If Hopper has signed with Suzuki for two more years then we will see him ride the V4 to the end and see where he ends with the 800cc bikes coming into effect.

If he stays with Suzuki KRJR will leave and he would like Hoffman or Byrne to come ride with him. That would be great because John seems to get along with them but I do not know Byrne's style or development skill so I don't know what to say to that.

Will Rossi have his one man team? If he does who sponsors the current gauloises team? Maybe McDonalds and then that would be great because an American company sponsoring one American rider would be fitting and there would be another seat open, possibly open for another American? That is a very far-fetched rumor but who knows?

If D'Antin and Tech3 stay in MotoGP Kawasaki is looking for a way to possibly run a three or four man team. Maybe they will become the sponsors?

If Tech3 leaves Yamaha and Rossi gets his team then the most likely candidate to move to gauloises is Toni Elias.

Ducati I do not know about. Capirex is looking for another contract and I am not sure if Checa has one more year left. If Telefonica pulls out then Gibbers is going to probably go Ducati with the Bridgestone tires he is doubtful about.

Will Blata ever come out with the V6? Probably. Will it be competitive? Probably not. Will Blata be there to make an 800cc machine? We don't know.

Show me John Hopkins on a competitive Suzuki, Honda or even better on a factory Yamaha and we have champion written all over him. He already has 2 years of experience so just give him a bike and he will have more than one home win under his belt.

that means shakey to suzuki. i hope!

That could mean Bryne to Suzuki. If Red Bull/Gresisni have it their way it would definitly mean Byrne to Suzuki since Hopper would go to a Honda and his spot would be open. If John stays then KrJr will be out and Byrne would go in. As far as I know one seat is open on Suzuki no matter who stays.

i think it's 99.9% done deal for hopper to stay at suzuki. just has to sign the contract. nick harris made it sound like a done deal. so krjr is out on his ear. so shayne byrne or possibly james ellison?!

It is official now, John Hopkins has decided to stay with Suzuki for two more years. The other rider has not been announced yet. Possibly Byrne, Ellison, Hoffman, Kagayama (sp?). KrJr is not expected to be there.

i was hoping hopper was going to honda and not staying at suzuki but there u go,
r suzuki gunna get any better or have we gotta wait 4 it to rain...