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Post by crikey on Jul 25, 2012 16:54:24 GMT 10
As much as I would have liked Spies to stay,The right decision was made he is really struggling on Factory bikes.
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mach24
Karting Driver
Posts: 116
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Post by mach24 on Jul 25, 2012 20:39:40 GMT 10
This is all a bit out there, but, Nicky Hayden to Ducati WSBK and Spies to Ducati GP.
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Post by Bundy on Jul 25, 2012 20:50:04 GMT 10
This is all a bit out there, but, Nicky Hayden to Ducati WSBK and Spies to Ducati GP. Wow that is out there...from what I have seen Hayden derserves his motogp spot and Spies should be the one off to WSBK.
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Post by commodore30s on Jul 25, 2012 21:53:02 GMT 10
This is all a bit out there, but, Nicky Hayden to Ducati WSBK and Spies to Ducati GP. Wow that is out there...from what I have seen Hayden derserves his motogp spot and Spies should be the one off to WSBK. Spies has been tremendous during his first two MotoGP seasons, i'd hope half a season of poor form won't get him kicked out of the championship.... particularly when some others have been filling latter parts of the top ten for years and keep getting rides.
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Post by Bundy on Jul 25, 2012 22:00:41 GMT 10
Wow that is out there...from what I have seen Hayden derserves his motogp spot and Spies should be the one off to WSBK. Spies has been tremendous during his first two MotoGP seasons, i'd hope half a season of poor form won't get him kicked out of the championship.... particularly when some others have been filling latter parts of the top ten for years and keep getting rides. Past good form prior to this year washes away if you consider that he has failed to get anywhere close to Lorenzo and even be the second best Yamaha rider when he is usually finishing behind the two satelite bikes. I still think he is good enough to not go back to AMA and continue to compete internationally...he just shouldn't be on a bike that has the potential, especially if rode by someone else, of competing for the championship.
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Post by HDT05 on Jul 26, 2012 13:20:27 GMT 10
"Yamaha CEO" Lorenzo on Spies leaving and Rossi as a teammate Wednesday, 25 July 2012 In an interview at Yamaha USA headquarters in LA on Tuesday, championship leader Jorge Lorenzo talked about the upcoming Laguna Seca race, teammate Ben Spies’ decision to leave Yamaha, and the rumours announcing Valentino Rossi as a possible teammate. Following the recent news that teammate Ben Spies is set to leave the Yamaha Factory Racing team at the end of the season, Lorenzo said: "It’s sad news to hear that Ben is not continuing. For Yamaha it’s really sad, because he has been a Yamaha rider for a long time. I think he has great potential, and I wish him good luck in the future. Now we have to see what is going to happen with the second rider in Yamaha." This announcement has naturally sent the rumour mill into overdrive with regards to who his teammate will be next year, to which the Spaniard said: "I hear some rumours. And some rumours say that Valentino is going to come back. It could be a good thing for Yamaha. We have been a good couple in the past years, but it hasn’t been decided yet. My preference is to have a competitive rival in the team." He is however full focussed on the job ahead and commented that the Laguna Seca track is one he particularly enjoys, as it is so different from anything else the MotoGP grid races at. Lorenzo goes into the race with a 19-point cushion at the top of the championship and has stated that he, the team and bike are in good shape and hope to continue as they are. As part of the usual USA antics, during which all Yamaha riders film a promotional video for the brand, Lorenzo was this time given the job as Honorary Yamaha CEO – a job he enjoys, as he said he can "do anything." Two years ago he was given the job as janitor, which has this year been passed to Yamaha new-boy Andrea Dovizioso. Stay tuned for the Yamaha promotional video this Friday. www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Lorenzo%20interview%20USA%20preeventCan't wait for the Video this Friday, they always put on some funny antics for the US rounds.
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Post by Bundy on Jul 26, 2012 19:38:23 GMT 10
Rossi going back to Factory Yamaha team, never saw that one coming
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Post by HDT05 on Jul 27, 2012 7:55:10 GMT 10
Rossi and Spies reignite "silly season" ahead of Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Thursday, 26 July 2012 On the eve of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca at Thursday’s press conference, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies, joined by championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, confirmed that he will be leaving the team at the end of the year, yet remained tight-lipped on his plans for 2013. This has subsequently sent so-called "silly season" into overdrive with regards to riders’ contracts, especially with Ducati Team’s Rossi considering his future options for next year. Spies, speaking ahead of the first race in the stateside double header, had leaked snippets of information earlier in the week about his plans to leave the Japanese racing outfit. He said: "I’ve known for quite a bit what my personal decision was and I thought this was the right time to do it with all the contracts happening with other riders. There’s a litany of reasons behind it - just getting back to stress-free and doing what I want to do and finish out the season strong. That’s all that’s going to be said about it at this point until I’m ready to talk about the future. It’s not going to change anything. For sure, especially at Laguna we’re going to give 100 per cent and we want to do what we’re capable of doing and what the bike’s capable of doing for the team. Nothing changes from that standpoint. I just made a decision, and wanted to get it off my chest and out of the way. Now that we’ve done that now I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I can do what I set out to do." Since the American’s earlier announcements, Rossi, a previous Yamaha rider, has had the rumour mill turning at ever greater speed, as speculation over his future in 2013 mounts. He commented: "The situation is quite clear. I still haven’t decided, as it is a bit to early. I have spoken a lot with Ducati about next year, but still waiting for some important ties and some important things on the contract. And I also have some other options for next year. But I think the situation will be clearer in the next weeks, and I think in the summer break I will decide about next year." Following a test after the last race that was stopped short with technical issues, he is not racing with as many upgrades this weekend as previously hoped: "More or less we have the same bike from Mugello, and we have to wait a bit more for something different. This track is very tough; it’s something different compared to most of the other tracks. It’s more old style up-and-down, very tricky, but I like it. For this year we need to improve at the beginning [of the race] where I’m not able to go fast enough with the top guys. So we have some ideas for the settings this weekend to try and improve that." Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who comes to the U.S. in strong form after a dominant win in Mugello two weeks ago, is confident ahead of the race: "Fortunately for us in the last race in Mugello we got the victory and now we have quite a big advantage. It’s only 19 points, but it’s better to have it than not to have it. And now we come to a track that I have been quite fast at in the past, and it’s always special to race here in America. It’s a track where I have crashed many times in qualifying, and also in the race in 2008. But I feel really good at this flowing track. It’s also really short, so the race will be really tough physically, probably as tough as Sachsenring. But we are ready, we’re in good shape and the bike is working really well this year." Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner, who won at the track last year with a spectacular ride, struggled with his bike in the last race, yet will be using a new engine to help improve this weekend: "The last two races haven’t been good for us with a couple of big mistakes from me. Things haven’t gone so well. We tested a new engine [after Mugello], which was very positive. It gave us a lot more smooth power and some small advantages in some areas so we’re quite happy with that. Chassis wise I didn’t feel anything better than what we’ve got now, so we’re not going to be using that here. It’s [Laguna] a very particular track and I think if there were a couple of spots with a bit more speed then there wouldn’t be many tracks better than this. It’s so technical and there are some areas that really catch you out – blind corners, blind braking points – it’s a really enjoyable track." NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, who has been struggling this season on his team’s Suter-BMW CRT project, and recently tested and FTR-Honda and a BQR-FTR machine, stated there might be some changes happening after this race. He said: "It’s [the season] been tough you know. I’ve heard rumours we’re going to get on Aprilia [ART] at Indianapolis. It’s not going to compete with these guys [factory riders], but it’s at least the best CRT bike out there at the moment. But if that happens it’s a step forward." www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Press+Conference+Laguna+Seca
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Post by Bundy on Jul 27, 2012 10:58:30 GMT 10
Rossi and Spies reignite "silly season" ahead of Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Thursday, 26 July 2012 On the eve of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca at Thursday’s press conference, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies, joined by championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, confirmed that he will be leaving the team at the end of the year, yet remained tight-lipped on his plans for 2013. This has subsequently sent so-called "silly season" into overdrive with regards to riders’ contracts, especially with Ducati Team’s Rossi considering his future options for next year. Spies, speaking ahead of the first race in the stateside double header, had leaked snippets of information earlier in the week about his plans to leave the Japanese racing outfit. He said: "I’ve known for quite a bit what my personal decision was and I thought this was the right time to do it with all the contracts happening with other riders. There’s a litany of reasons behind it - just getting back to stress-free and doing what I want to do and finish out the season strong. That’s all that’s going to be said about it at this point until I’m ready to talk about the future. It’s not going to change anything. For sure, especially at Laguna we’re going to give 100 per cent and we want to do what we’re capable of doing and what the bike’s capable of doing for the team. Nothing changes from that standpoint. I just made a decision, and wanted to get it off my chest and out of the way. Now that we’ve done that now I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I can do what I set out to do." Since the American’s earlier announcements, Rossi, a previous Yamaha rider, has had the rumour mill turning at ever greater speed, as speculation over his future in 2013 mounts. He commented: "The situation is quite clear. I still haven’t decided, as it is a bit to early. I have spoken a lot with Ducati about next year, but still waiting for some important ties and some important things on the contract. And I also have some other options for next year. But I think the situation will be clearer in the next weeks, and I think in the summer break I will decide about next year." Following a test after the last race that was stopped short with technical issues, he is not racing with as many upgrades this weekend as previously hoped: "More or less we have the same bike from Mugello, and we have to wait a bit more for something different. This track is very tough; it’s something different compared to most of the other tracks. It’s more old style up-and-down, very tricky, but I like it. For this year we need to improve at the beginning [of the race] where I’m not able to go fast enough with the top guys. So we have some ideas for the settings this weekend to try and improve that." Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who comes to the U.S. in strong form after a dominant win in Mugello two weeks ago, is confident ahead of the race: "Fortunately for us in the last race in Mugello we got the victory and now we have quite a big advantage. It’s only 19 points, but it’s better to have it than not to have it. And now we come to a track that I have been quite fast at in the past, and it’s always special to race here in America. It’s a track where I have crashed many times in qualifying, and also in the race in 2008. But I feel really good at this flowing track. It’s also really short, so the race will be really tough physically, probably as tough as Sachsenring. But we are ready, we’re in good shape and the bike is working really well this year." Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner, who won at the track last year with a spectacular ride, struggled with his bike in the last race, yet will be using a new engine to help improve this weekend: "The last two races haven’t been good for us with a couple of big mistakes from me. Things haven’t gone so well. We tested a new engine [after Mugello], which was very positive. It gave us a lot more smooth power and some small advantages in some areas so we’re quite happy with that. Chassis wise I didn’t feel anything better than what we’ve got now, so we’re not going to be using that here. It’s [Laguna] a very particular track and I think if there were a couple of spots with a bit more speed then there wouldn’t be many tracks better than this. It’s so technical and there are some areas that really catch you out – blind corners, blind braking points – it’s a really enjoyable track." NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, who has been struggling this season on his team’s Suter-BMW CRT project, and recently tested and FTR-Honda and a BQR-FTR machine, stated there might be some changes happening after this race. He said: "It’s [the season] been tough you know. I’ve heard rumours we’re going to get on Aprilia [ART] at Indianapolis. It’s not going to compete with these guys [factory riders], but it’s at least the best CRT bike out there at the moment. But if that happens it’s a step forward." www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Press+Conference+Laguna+SecaMaybe we should start a 'silly season thread' for motogp with all this inneundo about where drivers are possibly moving to next year but I think we will get a better picture once Valentino makes a decision where he will be going next year...I think going back to Factory Yamaha is a distinct possibility.
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Post by HDT05 on Jul 28, 2012 8:35:13 GMT 10
Wasn't sure you were serious Bundy, so I didn't start one. Some good news coming out from the US Round is Nicky Hayden re-signing with Ducati for another season. {;>}:~) Hayden renews Ducati contract for next year Friday, 27 July 2012 At the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, the home race for two-time Laguna Seca MotoGP™ winner Nicky Hayden, Ducati has announced a contract extension with the American that will see him continuing to race for the Ducati Team next year. Hayden, who turns 31 on Monday, is currently in his tenth season in the MotoGP series and his fourth with the Ducati Team. During that time, he has become extremely popular with fans and Ducatisti all over the world, thanks to his reliably positive outlook, his passion, and his determination. He currently sits eighth in the championship points standings and is working hard on the development of the Desmosedici GP12, employing his typical effort and enthusiasm. The United States hosts no fewer than 45 DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) and tomorrow thousands of fans will have the opportunity to meet Nicky at Ducati Island, an area at Laguna Seca where Ducatisti gather to follow the race and experience the "red passion." Following the afternoon qualifying session, Nicky himself will visit the Island’s stage, where many spectators and fans will no doubt be excited to join him in celebrating the news of his renewal with the Ducati Team. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team "I’m very happy that I’ll be back with Ducati and back in MotoGP, racing at the highest level for a very important team. I love the guys I work with, I love the Ducati fans, and I love the brand. This is an important time for Ducati in a number of ways, and I’m excited that I’ll continue to be a part of it. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we’ve put in the last couple of years. It’s nice to be able to make this announcement at Laguna and to share the moment with my fans, friends and family. If I can do a good result on Sunday, it could make for a pretty special birthday weekend." www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Hayden+renews+Ducati+contractPretty much says Rossi is leaving IMO.
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Post by Bundy on Jul 28, 2012 13:22:21 GMT 10
Nah HDT was just joking around with the silly season thread...
But, on the face of it, the decision by Ducati to re-new his contract seems to be more for commercial reasons in the US than it does for actual results or performance out on track...it's as if they have thought ahead and planned it for this weekend to coincide with the US motogp with the knowledge that all these ducati fan clubs are going to converge on Laguna Seca, hear this welcome news and Ducati hopes that this would translate into new bike sales from them and other race goers. Or maybe this is just purely wishful thinking on my part and there is no ulterior sales motive on part of ducati...
BTW - I can fully understand why his contract has been renewed nonetheless as he really has shown the riding that he is capable of being an ex-world champion.
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Post by crikey on Jul 30, 2012 22:13:14 GMT 10
Didn't see the Hayden Re-Signing, He does deserve another year, He has been getting better and better on a bike that is not at the level of Yamahaha or Honda.
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mach24
Karting Driver
Posts: 116
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Post by mach24 on Aug 1, 2012 20:42:45 GMT 10
I guess they are trying to keep the experience with Rossi looking more likely to be heading away.
Dovi has come out today saying he believes he has lost the factory slot to Rossi!!!
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Post by Bundy on Aug 1, 2012 22:05:36 GMT 10
Dovi has come out today saying he believes he has lost the factory slot to Rossi!!! A shame for Dovi as I reckon he is riding the best he has ever done in motogp and arguably would do a better job than Rossi in the factory yamaha ride if we take into account Hayden's dominance over him this year.
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mach24
Karting Driver
Posts: 116
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Post by mach24 on Aug 4, 2012 14:33:10 GMT 10
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Post by crikey on Aug 4, 2012 15:31:39 GMT 10
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Post by Bundy on Aug 4, 2012 15:45:09 GMT 10
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mach24
Karting Driver
Posts: 116
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Post by mach24 on Aug 4, 2012 15:46:03 GMT 10
Sounds like the deal is done, or almost done. Spies departure created the opening required. Hayden signed on for another year. All is pointing to the move!
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Post by HDT05 on Aug 4, 2012 16:44:02 GMT 10
Absolutely stoked!
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Post by Bundy on Aug 4, 2012 18:29:27 GMT 10
Be good to see Rossi back competitive. And we do need someone to take it to Lorenzo as after all he can't have it all his own way
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