VOL. 51 ISSUE 24 JUNE 17, 2014 P25
be Michelin. I think I'm in a po-
sition of strength, although not
on the track because I'm 15th.
Ducati's situation has improved
compared to last year, but not for
me because my career was up
and now it is definitely not. I will
take the decision when the time
comes."
If he decides to leave his place
would be taken by Andrea Ian-
none, but the problem is that
both Dovizioso and Iannone have
other offers on the table. The
representatives of both riders
have talked to Suzuki, but in the
case of Dovizioso, Gresini has
also been interested for 2015.
In this last case it should be
Honda making the final deci-
sion. If Dovizioso finally leaves
Ducati, his job will be taken by
Iannone because the company
really wants the latter in the team.
Iannone's place in the Pramac
squad could be for Tito Rabat on
a factory bike.
Moto2 championship leader
Rabat also has the option to
move up with Marc VDS, al-
though the team's MotoGP plans
are currently on hold because of
a lack of space on the grid. Team
owner, the Belgian brewery heir
Marc van der Straten, is willing
to do it without financial aid from
IRTA or Dorna.
But there's more, because Pol
Espargaro's contract with Ya-
maha for next year could be re-
leased depending on results. For
this reason his management met
with several teams in Barcelona
to explore other possibilities.
The delay in Rossi's Yamaha
renewal stems from this: the Jap-
anese have offered him a year
and Rossi wants two. And Lo-
renzo is also waiting to see what
happens with Dani Pedrosa.
Michael Scott
MARQUEZ PICKS UP WHERE
HE LEFT OFF
R
epsol Honda's Marc Mar-
quez emerged from Mon-
day's post Grand Prix of Catalu-
nya test at the same facility with
the fastest lap time, with Sun-
day's winner testing a new Oh-
lins fork and a new front Bridge-
stone tire.
Marquez and the rest of the
MotoGP men also tested a differ-
ent track layout – one that utilized
the tighter Formula One corner
at the end of the backstraight as
a possible safety change to get
the riders farther from a wall on
the corner's exit.
"Today we carried out a lot of
testing - from the electronics, to
the bike setup, to a bit of sus-
pension work," Marquez said
after posting a best of 1:41.184.
"I have to say, I felt very comfort-
able even more so than during
the Grand Prix weekend. There
were also a few things that didn't
completely work out, or that we
weren't expecting, but this is
also useful for us when it comes
to picking up ideas and direc-
tions to go in for the future. Now
we have to get ready for the next
race in Assen."
Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's
Marc Marquez ended
Monday's test in Catalunya
with the best lap time.
