GP Silly Season 2010-11

[ChrisM]

So the rumors are already flying;
lots of websites saying Stoner to Repsol Honda is a done Deal (they sniped the ducati team boss last season and he and Stoner are very close)
Yamaha rumored to have asked Rossi to take a drop in pay so they could raise Jorge's salary (Vale from 14 to 10 mil euros, Jorge from 4 to 8 mil euros)
and then Ducati has supposedly offered a massive pay raise to Rossi to get him on the red bike next year.
Which would open up the Fiat for Spies?  They could make a play to Pedrosa.... De Puniet is definitely showing he is worth a factory bike so far this year.  He's running without traction control, making him one of the most exciting racers to watch.

Should Rossi go to Ducati?
If so, who gets the Fiat Yam?
Is Yam out of their mind to ask Valentino to take a pay cut (rumored) or are they correct in planning for a future that will not include the doctor in 3-4 more years.
Can Casey win on Repsol?   If so, does Repsol replace Pedrobot or Dovi, or both?  Where do they go?

I spend the better part of the week guessing at these things.

[Adiggity]

Hmm, that would be interesting. If I were the one making the decisions, I would say it is valid to look into paying Lorenzo more. It's not easy to take a pay cut for Rossi, but I do think he is on the down side slope of his racing career. Does that justify a pay cut when you are still delivering the goods? I don't think so. Maybe a little cut in the spirit of keeping a good teammate, but not 4 mil a year. (that is like almost a 30% cut) And not only that, it isn't Rossi's responsibility or concern to make Lorenzo more money.

If Rossi were to go to Duc, I would bring Spies in with Fiat. He hasn't disappointed so far since he has gone to the World stage. In fact he has done nothing but impress in what I would say a BIG way. DePuniet seems to unpredictable compared to Spies imo. Plus Spies has proven that he gels with the Yamaha.

If Stoner does go to Repsol, my guess is he would take Dovi's spot. Pedrosa has consistently better results. I don't see them booting Pedrosa.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of all these rumors though. We shall wait and see.  

[ChrisM]

ducati is sweetening the deal, offering Ferrari F1 spot and rally spot after GP career is over.
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/160931/1/rossi_and_ducati_-_more_details_emerge.html

They may make this too good to turn down.

[JENX!!!]

People said that Rossi's racing career was on a downslope in 2006 and 2007. They all shut up after He won 08-09.  I hope Rossi does move to ducati then wins his 10th title and yamaha regrets letting him go.

[jlavallee]

I never really cared for Rossi much when he was younger but since coming to the big class and seeing what he can do on different types, makes and displacements has made me really appreciate the fact that he is probably the GOAT. Having him out is bad for the sport as he is the consistant "always at the front" guy. He's definately on the down slope of his career but still could have many championships in him. Maybe a switch to Ducati is what he needs as I think it would be a mental issue to be on team where he is not clearly #1.

Stoner is good but how will he be on a Honda?

Pedrosa is clearly better than Dovi but I don't see him ever being MotoGP champ.

Hayden is probably the main one outside of Edwards that I can see being cool to hang with but I don't see him ever being champ again.


Lorenzo, rossi and Spies are the ones I'd say have the shot in 2011-2012 so Yamaha is looking good.

[Adiggity]

People said that Rossi's racing career was on a downslope in 2006 and 2007. They all shut up after He won 08-09.  I hope Rossi does move to ducati then wins his 10th title and yamaha regrets letting him go.

A little touchy about Rossi JENX?  Just to clarify my statement for you, I was stating he is on the downside of his career in terms of how much longer he will decide to race. Not in terms of performance. Obviously he is still a #1 contender. And probably will be for a long time if he decides to stay for a while longer. But he has talked about moving on to rally cars so who knows how much longer he'll be around..... He has been racing for how long, 25 years or something like that? I doubt he will race another 25, so technically he is on the downside.  I am surprised Yamaha is willing to let him go but it's all about the Benjamins baby!

[A DRAGON]

Yo-Diggity Remember the reason Rossi left Repsol in the first place was because he didn't like Honda saying it's the bike not the man.  Rossi has already proven that. He also said Ducati is as arrogant as Honda. But for the almighty Euro. I guess anything is possible. 

Didn't Stoner come from a Honda?

[Adiggity]

I know he (Stoner) raced a 125 Honda, and he was on a KTM and Aprilia in the 125 and 250's but I don't remember him on a Honda in Moto GP......not positive though about that.

With what Ducati is offering Rossi, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go there. Especially if Yamaha is wanting to cut his pay. And yes I do remember Rossi had a problem with Honda and their egos. And after what he did for Yamaha I really can't believe they are talking about doing this to him. He literally, single handedly turned Yamaha into a winning squad overnight when nobody in the paddock thought they had a chance to win in Moto GP. They were a joke when Rossi left Honda for Yamaha. Like I said, it's all about the dineros, and always will be. Loyalty obviously means nothing to these people.....it's a shame I think....what are you gonna do?? I'm sure all of the teams are that way but that Ducati red would be looking pretty good to me if I were him! 

[A DRAGON]

Yo Diggity. I remember Rossi being all Butt Hurt They resigned Lorenzo. You could be right. I really don't think he's going to take a cut in pay for Lorenzo.

I'd be lying if I said Stoner rode a Honda in MotoGP. I just though someone had said he did and he crashed a lot. Maybe it was in the 250's and 125's.  I'm just going off or hearsay.

If Spies gets a faster bike. I just don't think theirs any room up front. They duking it out so much already. Wow though what a better series it would be. When Valentino gets a few championships with this new field. He'll have to be considered the Greatest...  Ali Said that.

[Adiggity]

Yeah Stoner definitely used to crash a lot. He still has the higher potential for crashing than some of the others (Rossi, Spies) but not like he used to.

Personally I would consider Rossi the greatest already.....may be starting a war with that statement but it is my opinion afterall. 

[jlavallee]

Stoner was on a Honda motogp bike before Ducati. I think it was LCR and he was pretty good but not great and crashed a bit.

I have to agree with Andy that Vale is probably the best ever as it stands now. Ago is the only real guy who could be thought of as better as I think Vale bypassed Hailwood and those other greats when he regained the title in 08.

My prediction is Vale will go to Ducati if Stoner goes to Honda. He will be awesome no matter what he rides and I think he's not going to stay with Yamaha if Lorenzo is there too.

My guess would be:

Yamaha Factory
-Lorenzo as defending 2010 champ
-Spies moved up from Tech3
I'd guess Lorenzo will be the man to beat and Spies will be top 3 quite often.

Honda
-Pedrosa
-Stoner
Neither setting the world on fire but always up there. Ugly team rivalry

Ducati
-Rossi
-Hayden
Rossi will be out to write the final chapter for his GP career. Hayden will improve but rarely in the top 3.

[Adiggity]

^^^ I think that is a pretty logical prediction Jason and one that I agree with. I would say out of all the teammates Rossi has had, he seems to have liked Hayden the most. Or at least gotten along with him the best. I think it will be awesome to see him switch to Ducati. Just to see how quick he puts it on top of the box. If/When it happens we will have to make some wagers for sure. Should be good fun. 

[jlavallee]

Yep, Rossi and Hayden seem to get on well. Apparently Rossi and Edwards are very tight but then again, neither Edwards or Hayden really challenged Rossi either so maybe it would of been different if they were banging bars every weekend.

I just don't see Rossi and Lorenzo staying at Yamaha together. Unless Spies botches the remainder of the season he looks to clearly have the most potential of getting into that "alien" zone. I'd love to see Rossi switch and win the title on a Duc and maybe even go after Ago's total GP win record.

It's too bad there is no Kawi or really Suzuki and as long as the testing is so limited they're never going to get caught up. Also, wouldn't it be cool to limit all this traction control crap with the return to 1000's? I bet Rossi would show his true stuff then.

[JENX!!!]

A little touchy about Rossi JENX? 
[/quote]

I just hate how yamaha seem to care more about lorenzo than rossi., specially after all He has done for them.

[A DRAGON]

I just heard a rumor from the parts man at Parts Unlimited. "Rossi has signed with Ducati" I don't know how true it is. But I don't think this guy is talking out of his ass.

Wow. What next? Here we go. Do you think maybe Troy Bayliss will come back too?

Rossi on Ducati!!!!  Alberto will be Beaming

I think spies if he's on Valentino's old bike won't be 3 to many times. I think he'll be in the race every weekend for the front.  Damm!! we should of had a post for everyone to post up where all the riders are going to end up next year. If Rossi already went to Ducati. We should post up the rest and see how we do. I'll put up a prize like an Oil change and filter for your bike. You have 1 week to post. It will end on Bike night Tuesday at 12 midnight.