Moto GP Jerez.

[oilbethere]

Zarco signed two year deal on factory KTM.

[curlie467]

Well he must see something I can't.

Pound signs probably.

[poo at Paul's]

curlie467 said:

Well he must see something I can't.

Pound signs probably.

Suspect it was on the cards as part of the KTM to Tech 3 deal?
Pol or Smith to go the other way?

[curlie467]

poo at Paul's said:

curlie467 said:

Well he must see something I can't.

Pound signs probably.

Suspect it was on the cards as part of the KTM to Tech 3 deal?
Pol or Smith to go the other way?

Aah yes, it could well be that.

[oilbethere]

Pol already signed. Can't see Herve taking Smith, surely he'll take another rookie on? Rins agreed two year deal with Suzuki.

Edited by oilbethere on Thursday 3rd May 19:34

[dc2rr07]

curlie467 said:

Well he must see something I can't.

Pound signs probably.

Will come out with the Crutchlow line when he went to Ducati, 'the opportunity to be in a Factory team....'
Oh and yes the money probably.

[tight5]

Rossi will have raced the equivalent of a lap of the world by Lap 15 of the Spanish GP.

[chunder27]

Have no issue with Zarco doing this.

It is a more common sense thing to do than ride for Repsol Honda, where he will always be second fiddle.

At least at KTM he can try and mould the bike to him, he will be the unequivocal number 1 rider. And will lead bike development. He also has a unique way of riding that means he can use softer tyres, if they can develop the bike to take advantage of this he could actually get an advantage.

The total opposite of what would happen if he rode a Honda which is developed around Marquez hard tyre style.

[Biker 1]

I think KTM will start to come good next year - they've already conquered the rally/enduro scene, so know a thing or two about competition. I think Zarco has made a canny move. Smith I think will end up in the wilderness.

[benjobanjo]

chunder27 said:

It is a more common sense thing to do than ride for Repsol Honda, where he will always be second fiddle.

The total opposite of what would happen if he rode a Honda which is developed around Marquez hard tyre style.

I completely agree. Unlike the majority of the paddock, Zarco doesn't do any Motocross/Flattrack riding because apparently it makes his riding style too aggressive (Pedrosa may argue it already is...), but as we've seen with Marquez to get the best out of the Honda you have to wrestle it - that is the complete opposite to Zarco's style, which is all about smoothness and preserving tyres. That KTM is on the up, the level of investment the Company are investing every year (I think I read £30m annual budget yesterday) will certainly help.

[Gavia]

This is a bit bizarre that riders are already planning next year with a competitor before we’ve even had the fourth race of a very long season. So much for silly season, it looks like it starts at the beginning of the year amd never stops.

[Andy XRV]

Lorenzo to Suzuki looks possible. That could be and interesting combination for 2019.

[FourWheelDrift]

Kallio has the 2019 prototype bike out at Jerez, Zarco will be seeing what his ride next year might be like.

[egor110]

What about smith and redding ?

Back to moto2 , wsbk ?

[poo at Paul's]

Gavia said:

This is a bit bizarre that riders are already planning next year with a competitor before we’ve even had the fourth race of a very long season. So much for silly season, it looks like it starts at the beginning of the year amd never stops.

In fact, I think it was worse than that. Some were already out of a ride first day of the first GP. I found it quite frustrating to be honest, listening to it on the telly. Bonkers.
Must be nearly impossible to feel anything other than completely dejected in a team when it's like that. I know they're top level and all that, but even so, how ridiculous to have it as "open" discussion.

[Biker 1]

egor110 said:

What about smith and redding ?

Back to moto2 , wsbk ?

I don't know much about Redding, but Smith would be lucky to get a ride on anything.

[curlie467]

Biker 1 said:

egor110 said:

What about smith and redding ?

Back to moto2 , wsbk ?

I don't know much about Redding, but Smith would be lucky to get a ride on anything.

Go on, I'll take the stinky bait, why's that then?

[macdeb]

As a Brit it pains me to say I also think that Smith and Redding will struggle to get any ride, let alone one that's competitive. Don't get me wrong, I've always been a fan of Redding (though think Smith lacked the killer instinct). They talk a good race but just don't deliver when it matters, on race day. Sad but true. Go, Cal!!!! (stay on the bloody thing FFS). Whilst we're at it, what's happened to McPhee? Sad fact that we have no up and coming Brits in the standings.
Oh, and I think Zarco's move is a wrong'un, The bike has promise (looks the dog's too) but it 'ain't there yet. He could've had a better seat for himself. AIMHO.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 4th May 17:49

[poo at Paul's]

I reckon Smith may got to WSB with Yamaha. I think he has good relationship with them still and won Suzuka on the R1 for them.
I have time for Bradley, he seems to just get on with the job as best he can, not a whinger. Redding, I'm not so sure about. Of the two of them, i'd hire Bradley over Scott.

[dc2rr07]

Andy XRV said:

Lorenzo to Suzuki looks possible. That could be and interesting combination for 2019.

Will leave this here
http://www.motorbikefans.com/ducati-consider-loren...