These off-year silly seasons are usually expected to be pretty boring, but they always manage to deliver in some way, shape or form. A few interesting things that came from Assen: Tito Rabat is being courted by KRT for WSBK alongside Johnny Rea Brad Binder and Hafizh Syahrin likely to trade places in 2020 The partnership between Sky Italia and VR46 is in jeopardy and it looks like Bulega and Foggia are getting the boot from the team We're also faced with the unusual situation of the potential Moto2 World Champion not earning a place in MotoGP next year. Here's a list of the seats that are "officially" up for grabs for 2020: Mission Winnow Ducati - Danilo Petrucci Red Bull KTM Tech 3 - Hafizh Syahrin LCR Honda Idemitsu - Taka Nakagami Pramac Ducati - Jack Miller Avintia Ducati - Tito Rabat Petronas Yamaha - Franco Morbidelli* Petronas Yamaha - Fabio Quartarao* *After scouring the internet I couldn't find anything explaining if the Petronas Yamaha riders are on one or two year deals
Fabio Quartararo has a one year deal with the option for a second year, which Petronas has already accepted, if I've got my story straight.
yeah this year's silly season is not much happening since everyone in the factory squads that matter signed 2 year deals last year. Next year now, that could have some movement. Hey VR46 may retire this year, and that may lead to some movement.
Yeap, Miller said the contract is done and he just needs to sign it for 2020. 1 year with full factory bikes. I expect Zarco to be released/ buy his way out of KTM. This is purely speculation on my part.
You really think Rossi will run? I think he’ll stick it out until the end of his contract, the Yamaha and his results won’t improve appreciably and he’ll call it a day. Zarco and KTM parting ways at the end of the year I can definitely see if things don’t improve soon.
Rossi will finish out this year then announce next year will be his last during the off season. Ticket sales will go thru the roof.
Where is Zarco going to go if he were to leave KTM? There aren't any decent rides that will be available. Do you think that they would dump Nakagami and pick up Zarco? Not likely. I see very little movement and it will all be for crappy rides. Rabat is probably gone, but I don't see even Aprilia making any changes as their problems aren't their riders, it is that their bike is still in development and still sucks. That only leaves the Tech3 seat that will probably go to a Moto2 new face and trading Haviz for Binder makes good sense to me if I was KTM.
My prediction; American Racing KTM won’t return for 2020, and Iker Lecuona takes Binder's spot at Ajo KTM.
Binder was being talked about for Tech 3 KTM for next year in motogp. Zarco? If Lorenzo retires, maybe Repsol Honda?
I agree. No way in hell Rossi will bail on his Yamaha contract with the reputation he has with them and burn that bridge. He may not win another championship but he will still go out as a true champion in the sport.
Don’t think Zarco goes to Repsol if and when that seat opens up. He’s done a lot of shit talking about his bike this year, honder doesn’t like that. Plus only Márquez can currently make that bike work. At some point they’re going to start looking at a young up and comer to fill his shoes.
It's a shame Catfish's career took this dickpunch but he knew what he was getting into being that it was a satellite KTM considering how underwhelming the factory one is. He put in some impressive rides on that Yammie before Tech3 pulled the plug.
Puig will pull one of his Asia Cup kids, you know, from when he was put in time out. Wish Honda would replace him.