Sponsors and such

We established in the November 3rd post, most of the teams have confirmed rider appointments for the 2007 season of MotoGP. There are a couple of undecideds still floating around, but I am confident all i's will be dotted and t's crossed before too long. Team Roberts may take on a second rider next year. It's not officially confirmed, but there are rumors (wink, wink). Sete still hasn't signed with anyone as far as I know. This still saddens me, and will continue to do so unless someone picks him up. I don't want to see retirement looming for the Gibbers, but I understand that all good things must come to an end. Still, a shot at ending his career on a higher note would be well-warranted for Sete.

Gresini Honda has cut Fortuna loose from their sponsorship agreement for 2007. The only speculation I have heard thus far is the possibility of Telefonica returning to the MotoGP scene and picking up where they left off. Telefonica (Movistar) withdrew from MotoGP last year after Dani Pedrosa signed with HRC and Repsol refused the request to share sponsorship. They took their money and turned their attentions toward F1 and Alonso. Alonso is going to McLaren next year who is sponsored by Vodafone, thereby leaving Telefonica out in the cold... With Gresini sponsorless at the moment it is certainly possible..... nay, probable, that Telefonica will make nice-nice with the MotoGP kingdom and pick up a team.

Yamaha chose not to renew their contract with Camel in 2007. Rumors abound as to who might sponsor Vale and Colin. It's not likely that Telefonica would bid to sponsor them, however Gauloises might be poised for a return.

I find it quite ironic that many of the major sponsors of our beloved MotoGP teams are well recognized members of the tobacco industry. The rules are changing in many countries as to the advertising of tobacco products, prohibiting the companies from displaying their names on the bikes for the public to see.... yet they continue to sink gobs of money into these teams. The advertising restrictions are silly... mmmm hmmm.. just silly. Just because they remove the actual words from the bikes doesn't mean we (the public) suddenly become ignorant as to who is sponsoring the riders or from what industry they hail.... after all, the color schemes and logos don't change... they are merely blank. I just don't get it.... but it's not for me to get, so I digress......

As I was wading through the sea of past, present and future sponsors, I realized that many of the logos and names were very familiar after seeing them on countless bikes through countless races, but I was unaware of what a few of these sponsors actually represented in the real world. So, off on my little tangent I went, to read up on the sponsors and gain a grasp on what they contribute to society. Then I decided it might be fun and even mildly educational (don't panic) to post my findings right here. Mind you, I have included some obvious sponsors, as well as a few of those that were not so obvious to me... it is a sparse list that represents only a handful of sponsors. I did not run-down every last one....that would be a daunting task and one that I am not willing to take on for the sake of useless trivia. Some of you may grow tired of this little adventure as you may well know the societal impact of the entire expanse of sponsors.... you are now excused.

	A familiar sight on those big Ducs, Alice is the name of a Telecom Italia communications package
	Also spied on the shiny fairings of the Ducs, but more prevalent on the Pramac d'Antin sponsored rides. This logo belongs to BNL, or, Banca Nazionale de Lavoro.... the banking industry (appropriate!)
	Ding ding ding! Here's a familiar sight. Although the Camel contract will not be renewed with Yamaha for 2007.... I thought they deserved mention.
	You can find Elf, a member of the lubricants industry displayed on the bikes in the Kawasaki Racing Team paddock (Yay! Randy)
	Another sponsor that has not been renewed for the 2007 season, Fortuna of the tobacco industry will not be backing the boys of Gresini Honda next year.
	A fine representative of the lubricant industry.... and fun to say!
	The familiar blue check plastered all over the likes of Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa belongs to none other than Gas, a representative of the clothing industry
	Although not active in 2006, this familiar logo is the trademark of yet another member of the tobacco industry. Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau are a couple of the riders that have straddled their logo on the track. They are rumored to be making a return to MotoGP for 2007.
	Here's one that you'll see smacked across the face of Rossi's helmet and sewn onto his leathers. KeraKoll has taken quite an interest in The Doctor. They manufacture modern construction chemicals.
	You may have seen this logo tagging along on Melandri's bike this season. It belongs to Valsir which deals in waste and water supply systems.
	Also rumored to be making a comeback to MotoGP in 2007.... who will they sponsor?? Telefonica Movistar (the official sponsor name...sometimes seen seperately, but they are the same company) is a Spanish telecommunications giant.
	Proud sponsor of Ducati as well as one of the most recognized names in that big, controversial tobacco industry. Set to be sponsoring Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner in 2007
	The Pramac Group... recognizeable in the sponsorship of Ducati through Pramac d'Antin. They are makers of generators and handling systems (i.e. forklifts, etc.)
	If you have watched one MotoGP race, you are familiar with this logo. Repsol Lubricants proudly sponsors Honda riders Daniel Pedrosa and the 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden
	The company for which Suzuk riders Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins can thank concerning not only their opportunity to pilot some of the top bikes in the world, but also that obnoxious blue color scheme. Rizla manufactures rolling papers... ummm... for cigarettes, of course
	Breil, a maker of fine watches can be found prominently displayed on a Duc here and a Duc there.

So, there you have it.... the results of my weak look into just a few of the companies that help make MotoGP happen. I have succeeded in boring myself at this point, so it is well past time for me to move on to another project. I am off to stalk the various forums and racing news sites until I can gather up enough new information to warrant another round of incessant yammering :)

Until next time......

Rubb'er Down :)