Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/990347
VOL. 55 ISSUE 22 JUNE 5, 2018 P45 ners, the French Tech3 squad, reached agreement to switch to join KTM at factory level before the start of the season. Since then, Yamaha had been up against Suzuki in trying to recruit the Marc VDS squad to take over the project. The Belgium-based team had been thought on the verge of announcing a Suzuki deal when it was engulfed in financial scandal, triggering an ongoing implosion of the squad. Yamaha Racing chief Lin Jarvis told Dorna's TV interviewer: "We are still waiting to have resolution of the VDS team to understand what is going on." While they had "every intention of continuing, we are still wait- ing to hear their plan, or whether there is another alternative." At Mugello, that other alter- native became clear, with the presence at the Italian track of Sepang International Circuit CEO Dato Razlan Razali. The circuit already runs SIC teams in Motos 2 and 3, both with Petronas backing, and while Razali de- nied a SIC team for MotoGP, the Petronas connection was valid. The Malaysian oil company is expected to take over backing of the Aspar squad, currently renamed "Angel Nieto Team" backed by Pull&Bear, and run- ning Ducatis. Rumors strongly favored cur- rent VDS rider, Moto2 Champion Franco Morbidelli, as Lorenzo's teammate. fortnight ago, his best ever in the dry. "I don't think I've ever finished eight races in a row before," Miller said. "There's a lot more stress in a factory team, but it would be a dream come true." Miller's management was in talks with Ducati, but "we are play- ing the waiting game." Miller denied reports in the Spanish press that he had refused an offer from Repsol Honda, but added: "If factory teams come knocking, you don't close the door." Miller survived a frightening crash on Saturday, when he had to bail out at speed and still struck the wall. He fell again unharmed in the race, bringing his strong run to an end. Who wants Repsol Honda? The last factory seat still go- ing begging is one of the most desirable—alongside Marquez at Repsol Honda. But will Dani Pedrosa keep the ride he's had since 2006? A run of injury and poor results Jack Miller's good form has put him in the shop window for the second Ducati factory seat. Miller In Line For Lorenzo's Seat Jack Miller has his eye on a full factory ride with Ducati next year, after a strong run of finishes and a best-in-the-dry fourth place at the last race at Le Mans. Miller is up against his Alma Pramac Ducati teammate Danilo Petrucci, with one of them tipped to take over the factory bike va- cated next year by Lorenzo. Both are strong candidates, but the outcome will not make too much difference to Miller, who has been promised the latest factory GP19 whichever team he is with. It affects the color of his leath- ers and the size of his fee, with Miller saying: "Two years ago I never thought I'd be in this posi- tion." Miller had matured from his crash-happy past, he thought—a notion backed by strong results. Currently he lies sixth overall, one place behind Petrucci, after claiming a run of top 10 finishes in the last eight races to Mugello, topped by fourth at Le Mans a How cool would it be to see WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea on the second Repsol Honda next year?