MOTOGP SILLY SEASON
ALREADY IN FULL SWING
A
t only the second of
19 races, the rumor
mill was already spinning
in Argentina, with top
factory rides yet to be
confirmed at Honda and
Ducati, several top riders
still with floating votes,
and the satellite Yamahas
still looking for a home
to replace the departing
Tech3 squad.
The two key riders
at this point are Andrea
Dovizioso and Johann
Zarco.
According to Ducati's
Davide Tardozzi, discus-
sions with Dovi's management had
reached the stage "of confirming the
details," but it is thought that their initial
offer has not been accepted. The rider
remained tight-lipped when faced with a
direct question. "When I receive Ducati's
proposal, then I will decide," he said.
Zarco's name has been linked with
Repsol Honda, and he has described
this as "a dream." But with his all-French
Tech3 team moving to KTM, the promise
of full factory support might tempt him
to stay where he feels confident, while
accepting the greater novelty of the chal-
lenge. A decision is expected early in
the fast-approaching European season.
Moving to Honda would mean replac-
ing long-serving factory teamster Dani
Pedrosa, and there is speculation also
that Honda might try to tempt Jorge Lo-
renzo to join incumbent Marc Marquez.
At the same time, Pedrosa remains in
strong form, and there may be no reason
not to keep him.
Another team potentially shopping for
talent is Suzuki, with current rider An-
drea Iannone needing to prove his worth
alongside the promising Spaniard Alex
Rins. Suzuki is known to be interested
in the experienced Pedrosa as well as
Dovizioso; while the sweet-handling
chassis would also make a good mar-
riage with Lorenzo's precise riding style.
Yamaha meanwhile needs to find a
partner to replace Tech3. MotoGP's
rules structure makes it a closed shop,
so it is necessary to make a deal with
one of the existing teams.
The current favorite appears to be
the Marc VDS team, running low-grade
satellite Hondas. But the outfit is also on
Suzuki's shopping list, with that compa-
ny's hopes of running a satellite team.
Michael Scott
VOL. 55 ISSUE 14 APRIL 10, 2018 P29
With Jorge
Lorenzo's
dismal start
to the year, he
could be off to
Repsol Honda.
Or Suzuki. It
depends who
you talk to.
