Suzuki trying to get Spies into GP for '08

you might have "said" it, but you typed "Vermuelen"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ May 29 2007, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>you might have "said" it, but you typed "Vermuelen"

BEN ! - can we ban Al ?

BEN ! - can we ban Baldy ?

cant ban rossi fan's, you two should no that, i say ban jumkie instead.

I'm just glad I'll see more than 2 Suzukis on the grid, when was the last time that happened? The old customer RG500s of the early '80s I guess.
It'll be nice to have a fresh unknown face on the grid too.

I thought Spies signed with Yoshimura Suzuki for two more years though, with this season being the first year of that contract.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ May 29 2007, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought Spies signed with Yoshimura Suzuki for two more years though, with this season being the first year of that contract.

Yeah, but like I said it would probably be a lot easier for Spies to get around that contract if he's moving to another Suzuki. Moving "within the family" so to speak.

MCN carrying a story today that Batta and alstare corona suzuki 60% certain they will move to GP's in a two rider team with Biaggi and possibly Spies with Schwantz as team Boss. So the possibilty of FOUR factory GSVR's. Alstare Corona apparently have all the infrastructure and logistics in place so setting up the team would be cost effective and straight forward as opposed to someone else starting the team from scratch. I have to admit it makes sense as a relatively painless way for Suzuki to get an extra two bikes on the grid, if I was on the board at Suzuki, I'd find it attractive. Bad news for WSBK It is MCN tho.

I read on crash.net this week that Biaggi has no intention to go back to motogp, and that he could be in world superbike forever. SO these stories differ a lot, but both could be lies. World superbike stands to take a big hit if all these teems come to gp and Ducati ride 1200's around all on there own. It'd make me laugh though.

If Batta decides he's going to GP's and offers Max a seat, he'll go in a friggin heartbeat, don't kid yourself. Max saying 'I'm so happy in WSB' and 'It's the place to be' is just him being Max. What else is he going to say?

We do know one thing for sure, Suzuki would like another two bikes on the grid, so would Kawasaki. Dorna would like another half dozen. Batta and his Alstare squad are one of the tightest outfits in racing. I know you have to take everything you read in MCN with a fair degree of scepticism but if Suzuki want to put an extra two bikes on it's the cheapest way to do it. It depends on what the marketing guys tell them, which series has more value and will move more product. I can't see Corona objecting, more people watch motoGP ( one would assume ) And...if Suzuki tell Batta to go ahead and that they'll supply the bikes what do you think he'll do? This is one rumour I can see some mileage in, and I'm a cynical sob.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ May 30 2007, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>MCN carrying a story today that Batta and alstare corona suzuki 60% certain they will move to GP's in a two rider team with Biaggi and possibly Spies with Schwantz as team Boss. So the possibilty of FOUR factory GSVR's. Alstare Corona apparently have all the infrastructure and logistics in place so setting up the team would be cost effective and straight forward as opposed to someone else starting the team from scratch. I have to admit it makes sense as a relatively painless way for Suzuki to get an extra two bikes on the grid, if I was on the board at Suzuki, I'd find it attractive. Bad news for WSBK It is MCN tho.


link?

Whatever happens, it seems very likely that there will be more Suzukis on the grid next year--which is great.

At the moment we have Team Aspar wanting a one bike effort for De Angelis in 2008 (with Bautista moving up in 2009 for two bikes?).

Then there's the Spies/Schwantz one bike combo.

And now a Blatta two bike team... with Spies and Biaggi?

I don't think Suzuki could/would make enough bikes to keep everyone happy...

I'd back Martinez and Team Aspar to come out on top in this one. For one thing, he's a wily old fox, for another, he runs successful teams in two GP classes already. Thirdly, he's Spanish.

What about a token Japanese rider? If Suzuki field another two bikes on the grid I'm sure it would be tempting for them. Who? Kagayama? Akiyoshi?

One thing about Spies contract, it's possible that it might have a get-out clause for 2008 (perhaps only to go MotoGP racing with Suzuki). There are precedents for such things.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ May 30 2007, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>link?It's in the paper, they haven't put it on the site yet Al.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rising Sun @ May 30 2007, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Whatever happens, it seems very likely that there will be more Suzukis on the grid next year--which is great.

At the moment we have Team Aspar wanting a one bike effort for De Angelis in 2008 (with Bautista moving up in 2009 for two bikes?).

Then there's the Spies/Schwantz one bike combo.

And now a Blatta two bike team... with Spies and Biaggi?

I don't think Suzuki could/would make enough bikes to keep everyone happy...

I'd back Martinez and Team Aspar to come out on top in this one. For one thing, he's a wily old fox, for another, he runs successful teams in two GP classes already. Thirdly, he's Spanish.

What about a token Japanese rider? If Suzuki field another two bikes on the grid I'm sure it would be tempting for them. Who? Kagayama? Akiyoshi?

One thing about Spies contract, it's possible that it might have a get-out clause for 2008 (perhaps only to go MotoGP racing with Suzuki). There are precedents for such things.I'm not so sure about Aspar Sun, Batta is a highly influential figure with an awful lot of clout. and the technical element of the 800 class having similarities with WSBK along with the fact that the whole team is already set up so no-one new to hire, makes huge sense. Not forgetting Batta has a long running succesful relationship with Suzuki. Apparently Batta has said he has been in discussions with Schwantz, so, assuming all we know is true ( cough MCN ) and in actual fact there's no reason why Schwantz and Batta wouldn't talk, they're both Suzuki men, why would Aspar be a better man for the job? I don't know enough about this guy, tell me...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ May 29 2007, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought Spies signed with Yoshimura Suzuki for two more years though, with this season being the first year of that contract.
spies is a suzuki factory rider so this is not a problem.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ May 30 2007, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If Batta decides he's going to GP's and offers Max a seat, he'll go in a friggin heartbeat, don't kid yourself. Max saying 'I'm so happy in WSB' and 'It's the place to be' is just him being Max. What else is he going to say?
so true... really tom...

BAM!

LINKY

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Season 2007 - Alstare close to MotoGP switch
Eurosport - Wed, 30 May 16:41:00 2007
Season 2007 - Alstare Suzuki have confirmed they are in talks about a switch from World Superbike to MotoGP, with 500cc legend Kevin Schwantz at the helm.

Team boss Francis Batta said that MotoGP management company Dorna and Suzuki had agreed for the manufacturer to line up with two extra bikes on top of the present 19.

He also said that the combination of Alstare's infrastructure and Schwantz's inspirational qualities and fund-raising ability would make a perfect fit.

"This is not hearsay, this is a concrete proposal," he said. "Dorna and Suzuki have agreed that it is possible to have another two bikes on the grid especially as the number in the field is currently low.

"There is a plan for Kevin Schwantz to become involved, but he has no logistics and no infrastructure to make a team. So therefore it is logical for Alstare and him to tie up in MotoGP.

"At this moment we are still thinking and we will make a final decision in June.

Batta told Motorcycle News that the chances of the move becoming a reality were better than even, and went as far as to reveal a likely driver line-up, featuring Max Biaggi.

"Right now we have a 60 percent chance of going to MotoGP and a 40 percent chance of stating in WSB.

"There is no final decision on riders but Schwantz will want to bring in an American one, probably <u>Ben Spies</u> , and for me I would bring one Italian rider. Max, or another European."

woooow there it is!!! seems pretty plausible now! can only be a good thing!!!

Thanks Al

why are wsb teams trying to get into motogp, is it because motogp is breaking into the rich american market or because of the ducati 1200 rule?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 30 2007, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>why are wsb teams trying to get into motogp, is it because motogp is breaking into the rich american market or because of the ducati 1200 rule?

i'd say cause of the DUCers crying they need a bigger engine..

but who cares!!...i'll have Spies to cheer for!!


and the Roman Emp will be back!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ May 30 2007, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>why are wsb teams trying to get into motogp, is it because motogp is breaking into the rich american market or because of the ducati 1200 rule?
cmon rog why do u think?........ because its the best there is man!!!