Discussion
wc98 said:
Acosta's first win 
Can't see it personally, he's got quite a gap to bridge from where he's been to a win and there's the small matter of Martin, Pecco and Marc on Ducatis... It's been Pecco leading Bez the last two years with an Aprilia in 3rd, and in 2021 Quatararo won... So can see the Ducatis and Aprilias going well again. I'm not sure if any of the tracks are really KTM tracks.
There's a full recent oxleybom podcast episode about KTM and it goes into this in a fair bit of detail, quite interesting.
Edited by Yazza54 on Thursday 27th June 06:18
Sky Italy saying the Pramac Yamaha deal is done - https://sport.sky.it/motogp/2024/06/26/motogp-team...
rodericb said:
Just when Morbidelli thought he had escaped the Yamaha...... 
I think Morbidelli only had a 1 year deal, will be interesting to see what happens with him, he may go to VR46... suppose it depends what happens with Aldeguer. I can't see many teams queing up to sign Frankie and beggars can't be choosers... which I suppose could lead to him sticking around at Pramac if they go to Yamahas... not many riders will be fighting for that seat!!Fingers crossed the rumours are true, it is the best thing for MotoGP in the long run, but even now MotoGP is in an amazing place vs where it's been, it's not that long ago that half the grid was uncompetitive on fledgeling development bikes, and those dogs
t CRT efforts. These days they are more or less all top top level riders and really even the Yamaha isn't that bad, it's just mega competitive out there. It's only Honda that are really, really in the st. I am pretty confident Yamaha will turn things round. I think we are in a golden era at the moment. I really respect Marc for taking the leap of faith he's taken and for Ducati really putting the cat amongst the pigeons and signing him. It's whats ultimately lead to all the recent changes.. Aprilia now have a top level rider in Martin who will be hellbent on beating Ducati ...Pramac going to Yamaha plus the inter team rivalry we are going to see at Ducati next year. Sparks are gonna fly!!
Edited by Yazza54 on Thursday 27th June 10:27
There are probably some in the Corse section of the factory in Borgo Panigale who wouldn't be too sad about Pramac leaving the fold. They're maybe a wee bit too competitive for the non factory squad - although it's to Ducati's credit that they let them race.
Both Gresini and VR46 will be pushing to be the second team. It will be interesting to see what Alex Marquez and Digi can do on the factory spec machinery - both are pretty good for a top ten on last year's bike. Both are ahead of both Bez and Morbidelli.
As to who rides for Pramac Yamaha - Morbidelli might not want to stay for a Yamaha, and Yamaha might not want him on the bike either. Apparently their deal with Prima means they need an Italian. That puts Digi in a strong negotiating position - top Italian that is available (if his deal is up at VR46), but would you take cash over a factory spec Ducati? I can't imagine he's ever been on big money throughout his career but leaving VR46, who appear to be a well run team, is also a big thing.
There is nobody in Moto2 who is Italian making a strong case for promotion. The top three - Garcia, Ogura, Roberts, have a big points gap on the field. You'd assume Ogura might be offered the LCR Idemitsu Honda ride again, and Roberts to Trackhouse Aprilia.
Aldeguer will get a factory bike, leaving one seat at either Gresini or VR46.
You can see the Pramac Yamaha ride being a big tempter to Garcia who isn't part of either the Red Bull KTM Ajo or VR46 talent streams.
Both Gresini and VR46 will be pushing to be the second team. It will be interesting to see what Alex Marquez and Digi can do on the factory spec machinery - both are pretty good for a top ten on last year's bike. Both are ahead of both Bez and Morbidelli.
As to who rides for Pramac Yamaha - Morbidelli might not want to stay for a Yamaha, and Yamaha might not want him on the bike either. Apparently their deal with Prima means they need an Italian. That puts Digi in a strong negotiating position - top Italian that is available (if his deal is up at VR46), but would you take cash over a factory spec Ducati? I can't imagine he's ever been on big money throughout his career but leaving VR46, who appear to be a well run team, is also a big thing.
There is nobody in Moto2 who is Italian making a strong case for promotion. The top three - Garcia, Ogura, Roberts, have a big points gap on the field. You'd assume Ogura might be offered the LCR Idemitsu Honda ride again, and Roberts to Trackhouse Aprilia.
Aldeguer will get a factory bike, leaving one seat at either Gresini or VR46.
You can see the Pramac Yamaha ride being a big tempter to Garcia who isn't part of either the Red Bull KTM Ajo or VR46 talent streams.
Assuming the Pramac/Yamaha deal is confirmed and we already know a few riders don't have seats here's my take on things (in an ideal world).
Pramac Yamaha have two seats to fill, assuming Factory Yamaha don't sign Rins (as they'll want a big name/GP winner) I think Alex could end up there. The 2nd seat though.... Oliveira assuming Trackhouse let him go? That's assuming they do not need an Italian rider...
I think Frankie would move to VR46 as a last chance saloon, I think he's actually doing pretty well on the Ducati given his lack of testing and every race he seems to be improving, he'll never be a WC though. I think VR46 should retain Digi though as he has been the best VR46 rider this season, Digi would be stupid to move to Yamaha IMO. He may be offered extra $$$ but in 1-2 years his stock will have dropped.
As for Gresini, who is going to replace Marc, could be Digi in a weird world, could be Toprak (if Keenan isn't smoking something), but it would need to be a factory spec bike. However, Ducati have to place Fermin somewhere so I'd imagine her will end up at Gresini.
Pramac Yamaha have two seats to fill, assuming Factory Yamaha don't sign Rins (as they'll want a big name/GP winner) I think Alex could end up there. The 2nd seat though.... Oliveira assuming Trackhouse let him go? That's assuming they do not need an Italian rider...
I think Frankie would move to VR46 as a last chance saloon, I think he's actually doing pretty well on the Ducati given his lack of testing and every race he seems to be improving, he'll never be a WC though. I think VR46 should retain Digi though as he has been the best VR46 rider this season, Digi would be stupid to move to Yamaha IMO. He may be offered extra $$$ but in 1-2 years his stock will have dropped.
As for Gresini, who is going to replace Marc, could be Digi in a weird world, could be Toprak (if Keenan isn't smoking something), but it would need to be a factory spec bike. However, Ducati have to place Fermin somewhere so I'd imagine her will end up at Gresini.
Yazza54 said:
John D. said:
I think Pramac would be mad to sign Morbidelli to ride a Yamaha.
Depends if no one else wants itMorbidelli will be at VR46 any way. To be fair he's showing some speed on the Ducati now after a pre-season ruined by injury.
Yazza54 said:
Freakuk said:
...could be Toprak (if Keenan isn't smoking something), but it would need to be a factory spec bike. However, Ducati have to place Fermin somewhere so I'd imagine her will end up at Gresini.
Can't imagine anyone other than Honda taking a punt on him Unless Honda have a reshuffle and dispatch Taka and move Mir over, I doubt Toprak would go to LCR, although that might be a better/friendlier environment to step into rather than the pressure from a factory who have the worst bike currently.
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