posted Jul 12, 2009

If it's real, that will be such a shame. Seeing Sete back on the grid was fantastic and he did quite well considering the constant problems he has with his collarbone. I hope this is not the last we see of him in the Moto GP paddock.

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posted Jul 13, 2009

Confirmed on www.motogp.com this morning. Thats a big shame, to lose anyone from such a small paddock is disappointing. Lets hope there are no further withdrawals.

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posted Jul 13, 2009

It's on Moto GP website this Morning.
Bad news, another team down that is two riders gone in two races with Scott team pulling the other bike.

I hope that Moto GP can get through this cos it is not looking rosey and the championship needs a couple more teams, not to keep losing them.

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posted Jul 13, 2009

A sad loss that yet another team has folded so early in their MotoGP life. And yet another loss on the grid is not good for the sport. He may not have been troubling the front runners, or the mid-pack, but it was another bike out there on what is a desperately small grid.

I read in MCN the other day that Honda are planning to have 8 bikes on the grid for next season which will be good for the sport. Perhaps Sito Pons will be able to get back out there with his squad - anyone remember the sublime looking 'West' bikes he ran with Loris & Barros? One of the few teams to take wins from Rossi when the sport went 4-stroke when Barros got his hands on the RC211V (such a shame he then saw the $$ and went to Yamaha on their, then, dog of a bike!).

Hopefully, Kawasaki will return with a 2 bike team, rather than the single rider setup with Hayate. And it would be nice if Suzuki were to build another bike or 2 at a reasonable cost so they could be leased out, there's been enough rumours and confirmed interest from the likes of the Aspar team under Jorge Martinex (Bautista in 250's & Bradley Smith's 125 team).

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posted Jul 13, 2009

There will no Kawasakis at all next year, but I am sure that Honda will put a few more bikes on the grid. I've heard a lot of rumours saying that Telefonica might come back with a one-bike team, or possibly a few bikes from Sito Pons. I wouldn't be surprised if Martinez does get an Aspar bike or two in there either.
I doubt Suzuki will put more bikes on the grid, as they can 'take advantage' of the rookie rule. Because they have no satellite team, rookies can go straight into the factory side (Capirossi and Bautista on the suzukis maybe?)

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posted Jul 14, 2009

"I've heard a lot of rumours saying that Telefonica"

Telefonica was a sponsor of the Gresini Honda squad who ran Gibernau, Edwards and later Melandri - and Gresini currently run de Angelis & Elias (again) and are sponsored by San Carlo. Are you saying Telefonica are thinking of sponsoring a current team, or coming into the sport with a new, single rider team?

Also, is it cinfirmed that Hayate won't be out there next season? Given their results have been competitive with the lack of development it'd be a shame to lose such a bike. If that is the case then the whole setup was just a way for Kawasaki to appease Dorna by having a Kawasaki on the grid, but in the cheapest possible way! Sad really given that it's probably near ruined the career of a very likeable, and talented rider with alot of experience at MotoGP level, 500 2strokes with Peter Cliffords Red Bull Yamaha team, plus 990 & 800's with Suzuki and Kawasaki in the form of John Hopkins.

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posted Jul 15, 2009

Sad too see the team go but I cannot say that I'll miss Gibernau. He was fantastic in his day - his performances in 2004 and 2005 were often stunning - but he does not seem to have the old fire, which is a shame because he was quite a character.

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