in a thread a week or two ago we talked about the rumblings rossi has made about going to wsbk.  in the latest issue of RRW they talk about rossi and stoner considering the move, stoner reportedly also being very unhappy with the new GP regs put into place.  i've since read things to the contrary re casey and his likely deal for 2010 GP but nothing so far about rossi.

then there's:

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/06/18/motogp_rider_exodus_into_wsbk_for_next_y.html

While the MotoGP stars are exploring options over in World Superbikes, there is also some interest coming from the other direction. John Hopkins - despite only having spent one and a half race weekends with Stiggy Honda - has reportedly been testing the waters with Tech 3 Yamaha, according to Motorcycle News' Matthew Birt. So far, his advances - made through the office of his personal manager, Bob Moore, who also played a key part in Tech 3's deal with Monster Energy - have been rebuffed. With Edwards and Toseland already on the books, and potential deals with Ben Spies and/or Marco Simoncelli, Herve Poncharal is in no hurry to fill seats at the team.

Hmm...John Hopkins or Ben Spies...John Hopkins or Ben Spies...who would you choose if you were in Poncharal's place? Or Simoncelli for that matter? Sure, sponsorship dollars are a factor. But they probably matter more when you're running up front.

oh yeah, other moving to wsbk rumors: Vermeulen (shocker...) and Nicky.  no idea how real the latter is.  i would bet at this point he doesn't either.

The MotoGP field for 2010 should be:

Rossi, Lorenzo, Stoner, Hayden, Crashy McSmurf, Dovi, Capi, Melandri, Bautista, Simoncelli, Spies, Hayden and half-a-dozen others --  I don't care who.  Maybe Edwards?   Sete should re-retire. 

WSBK should include Toseland & Hopper and anyone else who currently has a GP ride and isn't on the list above.  Hacking should be there too.

Mladin should either run WSBK or Moto2 (King Kenny already told him no on the Moto2 gig). 

Quote from: Spidey on June 18, 2009, 11:14:09 AM

Mladin should either run WSBK or Moto2 (King Kenny already told him no on the Moto2 gig). 

He really asked for the ride???

yeah, i don't think that moto2 thing was serious...

big +1 on hacking.  but i'd like to see he and spies in wsbk at the same time.