It's RUMOR season!!!

Mid season for MotoGP is here which means we are ushering in the Festival of the Signing of Contracts. This is the time of year when rumors start to circulate through the paddocks about who's riding for who next year and who will not be riding at all.

This morning's discussion during the first free practice session at Sachsenring proved to be interesting indeed. Practice, by the way, went swimmingly - except for Chris Vermeulen who suffered a devastating high side after hitting a wet patch on the track. He clearly injured his left foot/ankle, but left on the back of a moped as opposed to in the back of an ambulance, so hopefully he'll be alright and back on track tomorrow.

Anyway, on to the meat of the post.... First off, Grupo Francisco Hernando has terminated it's season with MotoGP, leaving Sete Gibernau rideless and MotoGP with only 17 bikes and riders. The "economic crisis" is to blame for the abandonment of their MotoGP program, according to them. It was good to see the Gibbers come out of retirement - therefore, it goes without saying, it sucks to see him go.... again.

Gresini Honda has it in the works to make some big changes for 2010, starting with signing on 250cc superstar Marco Simocelli. It appears they are eyeing up Marco Melandri as well to complete the team.

Jorge Lorenzo is rumored to be suffering from a case of the wandering eye... and contract. It seems he has expressed some discontent over the amount of money he feels he is worth as opposed to what Fiat Yamaha is actually paying him. There have been talks between he and Repsol Honda over a possible contract for 2010. Recent press releases may have come off as a little humiliating to him as well, as team Fiat stated in more than one publication that they need Rossi to race and help develop the bike, and Lorenzo.... they just need him to race. Telefonica Movistar is contemplating a comeback to MotoGP, and there has been spotty chatter leading some to believe that they too may entertain Lorenzo for a contract.

So, if he leaves, who will take his place? Possibly Colin Edwards (again). Ben Spies is eyeing up MotoGP for 2010, or adversely, MotoGP is eyeing up Ben Spies.... in either case, a new rule that prevents rookies from riding for factory teams their first year out would seat Ben with Tech 3 Yamaha. The possibility of Colin moving into Fiat in the case of Lorenzo moving to Repsol would leave a spot in Tech 3 for Ben. Even if Colin doesn't make a move, the possibility of a Spies Tech 3 ride exists through the further rumor that if James Toseland doesn't produce better results at Sachsenring and the upcoming Donnington race that he's going to get the boot. On the other hand, Dorna is enjoying the representation of a British rider in the championship series - their holding interest could indeed be a feather in Toseland's cap.

De Angelis will most likely not be riding MotoGP next year, and lastly, Toni Elias looks to be planning to leave the Honda camp.

My head is spinning with all the swaps, cuts and rumors of new rookies. It will be very interesting to see how this all pans out. In my personal opinion, the biggest mistake to be made at this point will be with Fiat and Lorenzo. I don't think they should let him go to Repsol just yet. I say get off your wallet, Yamaha, and show him some support.... at least for another year.

Until next time....

Rubb'er Down

Kristen