Silly Season...already?

[ducpainter]

Laverty > Aspar.
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Eugene+Laverty+joins+DRIVE+M7+Aspar+Team+for+2015

Does that kick Nicky or Hiroshi to the curb, or are they going to run 3 bikes in GP?

[Speeddog]

Does that kick Nicky or Hiroshi to the curb, or are they going to run 3 bikes in GP?

That puts Hiroshi on the curb, Nicky's got a contract through '15.

Only seats left are:
One at Forward Yamaha, which appears to have Loris Baz's name on it.
One at Gresini Aprilia, which had Melandri's name on it, but apparently he's thought better of it...
One at Avintia Ducati, on an 'Open' GP14, seat has no name as of yet....

IMO, the Forward Yamaha seat is the best, as it'll still be a Yamaha engine, frame, swingarm and linkage.
It's probably 2014 stuff from Tech3.

AFAIK, Leon Camier is still prowling around for a ride, he's gotten a lot of attention with his speed on Nicky's nag.

The Avintia seat apparently requires the rider to bring a bag full of cash.

[Speeddog]

Oh, Ioda says they're planning to continue in 2015, despite releasing Petrucci.

So possibly a seat open there as well.

[duccarlos]

Melandri knows better than to jump on a bike that no one has really ridden.

[Speeddog]

News is that the seat at Forward Yamaha is indeed big enough for Loris Baz's azz.

So it's down to one at Gresini Aprilia, one at Avintia Ducati, one alleged seat at Ioda.

AFAIK the grid spots from PBM are for sale, unless Suzuki bought them, can't find any confirmation on that. 

[swanny]

My understanding is that PBM sold their MotoGP slots to IRTA who then sold them to Suzuki.

[Speeddog]

My understanding is that PBM sold their MotoGP slots to IRTA who then sold them to Suzuki.

I did just get confirmation from a reliable source that indeed that happened.

It appears Forward will have quite a few chassis choices:
http://tinyurl.com/k42szrn

[Speeddog]

Redding gets Johnny Rea's crewchief, Chris Pike.

Cal gets Christophe 'Beefy' Bourguignon as crewchief.

Jack Miller gets Cristian Gabarrini.

Pedrosa is losing Mike Leitner, no info on where he's going, or who Dani will get.... music is winding down... Dani may suffer.

[Speeddog]

Aaaaannndddd...

Rumors of Stoner doing a two-day test at Motegi around the end of the month.
On a Factory Honda, Bridgestones on day 1, Michelin on day 2.

[ducpainter]

Aaaaannndddd...

Rumors of Stoner doing a two-day test at Motegi around the end of the month.
On a Factory Honda, Bridgestones on day 1, Michelin on day 2.

Not rumor... http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Stoner+on+testing+again+with+Honda+and+achievements+of+Marquez

Also...anounced on the motogp feed...Mike Leightner is leaving Honda and some of the mechanics that worked for him may leave also. Report is he's going to 'Change his lifestyle'...to quote livio Suppo.

[duccarlos]

'Change his lifestyle'...to quote livio Suppo.

WTF does that mean?

[ducpainter]

WTF does that mean?

I'm thinking he wants to not travel the globe on Dorna's schedule any longer.

Want me to call Livio and ask him?

Might have to wait until after the weekend though. He's probably busy.

[duccarlos]

Livio is never too busy to take your call.

[Speeddog]

I'm thinking he wants to not travel the globe on Dorna's schedule any longer while living out of a suitcase and supporting the perennial bridesmaid.
~~~SNIP~~~

FTFY

[ducpainter]

FTFY

Thanks.