IN
THE
WIND
P24
NEW CREW CHIEFS?
H
as Valentino Rossi set anoth-
er trend? Rumors are gather-
ing strength that rivals Jorge Lo-
renzo and Dani Pedrosa are set
to follow his example of chang-
ing their crew chief, having noted
how it revitalized the multi-time
World Champion's racing form.
Rossi controversially dumped
his renowned crew chief Jerry Bur-
gess at the end of last year, with
fellow-Italian Silvano Galbusera
taking the place of the Australian
who had guided Rossi throughout
his MotoGP career. It coincided
with a revival in his results, return-
ing as a rostrum regular.
"For me it was very difficult,"
said Rossi. "I had almost 15
years with Jeremy, but unfortu-
nately last year we were not able
to find the way to improve."
Pedrosa has been with the
same crew chief, former rider
Mike Leitner, throughout his Mo-
toGP career, and declined to
comment on the rumors.
Likewise Lorenzo, who has a
relatively long-standing relation-
ship with his crew chief Ramon
Forcada. "It's just rumors," he
said, preferring to concentrate
on finishing this season first.
With Suzuki and Aprilia return-
ing next year, however, it may yet
prove that it was one or another
of the crew chiefs who decided
to move to fresh pastures.
Michael Scott
Will Jorge Lorenzo have a new crew chief in 2015?
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GOLD
&
GOOSE
GRESINI TO APRILIA?
T
he Gresini-Honda change stayed officially
on "hold" at the British Grand Prix, but the
imminent departure of the respected Italian
team owner to run the Aprilia factory team in
MotoGP now seems certain, with a consider-
able ripple effect.
Although HRC had already extended the
deadline for Fausto Gresini to place orders
for 2015, they have now extended it again, to
Misano; where Gresini has promised he will
make a full announcement of his plans. The
former 125cc World Champion has been a
close ally of HRC for several years, but rising
Fausto Gresini's
team may run
Aprilia's fac-
tory MotoGP effort
next year.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GOLD
&
GOOSE
continued on page 26
