Marquez will go to either Gresini or LCR. They will keep him on a Honda one way or another. I would bet that Gresini will go back to having another Honda, possibly a factory bike like Marco's last year. I do see the big names stayig put, for at least a year. So Lorenzo, Stoner and Rossi will probably be set. The big questions would be what you do with Hayden, Spies and Pedrosa. Nicky has shown signs of doing much better on the new Duc and he really helps with the Duc sales in the US. I can't imagine him leaving. Pedrosa earns a reprive for a year until Marquez is ready. then he gets da boot. Spies will not have a factory ride next year if he doesn't battle for at least 3rd. Crutchlow is the most likely candidate to take his place.

The Ben should be worried about Cal. I know I wouldn't be sleeping well. Spies should seriously consider his cycling career or WSBK if he doesn't get some podiums ASAP. And that's from a fan!

Quote from: gm2 on May 03, 2012, 11:46:33 AM
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99318

You know how they lie...

Cal putting even more pressure on Ben.

I thought this lil tidbit to be interesting....

http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/120505f.htm

Quote....Noyes will replace Hector Barbera in case the Spanish rider is injured or unfit to race and according would also step in to the Pramac team if Barberá were moved to the Marlboro Ducati factory team as a replacement for either of the two works riders, Valentino Rossi or Nicky Hayden.....

outta left field is Barbera replacing Nicky or Val IMHO....

Quote from: zooom on May 07, 2012, 04:55:15 AM
~~~SNIP~~~

outta left field is Barbera replacing Nicky or Val IMHO....

Pretty sure that is meant as "if Nicky or Valentino get injured".

Quote from: Speeddog on May 07, 2012, 09:02:11 AM
Pretty sure that is meant as "if Nicky or Valentino get injured".

...or keep qualifying and finishing near the CRT bikes.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ducati fold its MotoGP effort. When does that Dorna contract expire again?

Quote from: desmoquattro on May 07, 2012, 09:10:06 AM
...or keep qualifying and finishing near the CRT bikes.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ducati fold its MotoGP effort. When does that Dorna contract expire again?

They don't like the rev limiter either. Reasons to stay in MotoGP are decreasing.

Quote from: desmoquattro on May 07, 2012, 09:10:06 AM
...or keep qualifying and finishing near the CRT bikes.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ducati fold its MotoGP effort. When does that Dorna contract expire again?

Then they could put all their effort back into the Ducati Cup/WSBK

Quote from: The Don on May 07, 2012, 12:59:57 PM
Then they could put all their effort back into the Ducati Cup/WSBK

Everything seems to point in that direction. They could hire Spies to ride the Panigale, dominate the series, and do just as well from their investment...as the GP series turns into NASCAR.

Quote from: The Don on May 07, 2012, 12:59:57 PM
Then they could put all their effort back into the Ducati Cup/WSBK

UMMM...have you been watching WSBK lately...all the manu's have stepped up...it ain't the all Ducati show so much anymore...

Quote from: zooom on May 08, 2012, 07:38:04 AM
UMMM...have you been watching WSBK lately...all the manu's have stepped up...it ain't the all Ducati show so much anymore...

Ducati leads the championship on a bike old enough to warrant a wheelchair.     In theory, the other manufacturers are three years behind and just catching the Duc.  Next year the Panigale hits, and back we go to the Ducati cup.

Quote from: Jester on May 08, 2012, 11:02:52 AM
Next year the Panigale hits, and back we go to the Ducati cup.

Unless, of course, they run into the same issues they ran into in MotoGP...namely the absolute incompetence of the racing organization

OT Humor


http://backmarker-bikewriter.blogspot.com/2012/05/fim-acknowledges-reality-puts-stoner-in.html

Quote from: OT on May 10, 2012, 08:20:27 PM
OT Humor


http://backmarker-bikewriter.blogspot.com/2012/05/fim-acknowledges-reality-puts-stoner-in.html

That's pretty good. 

Gregory House, M.D., says, "At first I thought Stoner was lactose intolerant. But then I realized that, like me, he is just intolerant, period."