2017 MotoGP Silly Season

[Chaos]

Both Honda and Yamaha reps are claiming the Pedrosa deal is not final. Honda still appears to be still negotiating with Pedrosa, and Yamaha with both Pedrosa and Vinales.

Stay tuned...

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/230101/1/suppo-meregalli-respond-to-pedrosayamaha-rumours.html

 

[ZX600]

Probably a tactic to get Vinales to sign ASAP? That kid is making a mistake by not jumping to Yamaha

 

[LWTRacer]

Pedrosa to Yamaha would be the best thing for him.

A bike actually suited to his riding style.

 

[Chaos]

what?

http://www.gpone.com/en/2016050725287/motogp/suzuki-considers-4-bikes-in-2017.html

 

[sempre1]

what?

http://www.gpone.com/en/2016050725287/motogp/suzuki-considers-4-bikes-in-2017.html

Right on! I can see Zarco for sure with Suzuki next year.

 

[Chaos]

Any small chance of Johnny Rea coming to MotoGP is gone.

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/news/j...DBClgJWwoKXFtcDF8KXFBeWlAJCl1YWApZCQ0NWVBQDFo

https://motomatters.com/news/2016/05/12/jonathan_rea_to_stay_with_kawasaki_for.html

edit: changed link. original kawasaki link stopped working. Also added the motomatters link.

 

[johnscruiser]

Any small chance of Johnny Rea coming to MotoGP is gone.

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/news/jonathan_rea_and_kawasaki_together_for_two_more_years

Link no workie for me

 

[Chaos]

Interesting. Article speculates about Zarco coming up to MotoGP with Suzuki but possibly as a satellite rider. LCR would switch from Honda to Suzuki.

Silly season indeed...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/124215/zarco-in-line-for-2017-suzuki-motogp-move

 

[Lightcycle]

Any small chance of Johnny Rea coming to MotoGP is gone.

That's good news.

As talented as he is, I don't think he's alien material. Better to be top of WSBK than best of the rest in MotoGP.

Besides, there's very poor conversion rate from SBK to GP racing. The old 250 and Moto2 feeder series groom their riders well for the premier class.

 

[Chaos]

Besides, there's very poor conversion rate from SBK to GP racing.

The problem of late is that WSBK riders are put on mediocre equipment on MotoGP. Laverty and Baz were subjected to open class, and now 3rd tier bikes. While not impossible, it's really hard to make an impact on that machinery.

 

[N3WMAN]

Never has a rider come from superbike and won a GP title. However, GP riders have gone and won superbike titles.

 

[Jayv]

Wonder what would have happened if Bayliss had more than one race in 2006.

 

[N3WMAN]

Wonder what would have happened if Bayliss had more than one race in 2006.

What about the three years prior?

 

[Lightcycle]

Never has a rider come from superbike and won a GP title. However, GP riders have gone and won superbike titles.

 

[N3WMAN]

World Superbike. His wildcard in '02 doesn't count.

 

[Lightcycle]

World Superbike. His wildcard in '02 doesn't count.

AMA is still Superbike.

 

[Scuba Steve]

AMA is still Superbike.

AMA was superbike at the time

 

[Lightcycle]

AMA was superbike at the time

Yes, yes. Was.

 

[Neil_V]

AMA is still Superbike.

Agreed

There are and have been many with potential, but seems like you need to be in the GP system these days to land a ride on a bike capable of winning. That's fair enough honestly. I really believe Jonny Rea could have been a winner given a full season or two to adjust to the GP bikes and circuits, that said I'm glad he's sticking to superbike; probably the best move for him and WSBK alike

 

[N3WMAN]

Spies was a Superbike alien, landed a top factory ride, and won one race.