Who doesn't have a ride who would be a sure top 10 WSBK?

For WSS how about Simon Jespersen? He had some great wild card rides.
The SBK ride is a tough decision. There are some good riders in MA like Mesa and Scholtz but I'm sure you prefer someone who knows the tracks...

 

Meeting with the tuning fork about the SBK rider already happened Friday afternoon. It's not set yet but they really want who they want. Barring some small miracle, no one mentioned here is getting that ride. Looks like it's either their champion or another guy also currently in WSBK.

 

Canepa mentioned in here?

 

Funny you should ask. He was there… advising the tuning fork. Apparently, he has a real eye for scouting.

 

One of their champions? Yamaha champion? So...VR, JL, BS?

Trying to work through the list of current riders. Oettl gets the boot for AI, so a decent possibility, Baz is French and a free agent, Mahias only did a couple rounds, assuming he's doing another year of WSS.
So I'm guessing it's going to be Baz. Sounds like the simple, safe bet.
Who did Canepa bring up that would have been a surprise?

 

I would also suggest Fong

 

The excellent use of "chuckleheads" made me laugh as I spit out my coffee.

 

First page.

And anyway, deal is done. Signed Sunday evening.

 

I just just checked out WorldSBK website. No announcement. Any clues?

 

Damn, that was quick. Look forward to the announcement on who it is.

was both seats up or just the one?

 

You're not going to see anything on there the next day. Announcements are typically made long after signing.

There's only one superbike. Budget is tight. The other is supersport.

 

Yeah, saw that there was one bike each class. Was wondering if the supersport seat was open as well.

 

Yes and no. It's complicated.

 

I probably missed it, but without reading through 8 pages, who is the team?

 

GMT 94

 

Rossi
Stoner
Hayes
Spies
Haga

 

My peeps in Italy

Very, according to my folks in Italy.

 

Huh? That part doesn't involve them as much.

 

Seems like Speedweek is reporting on this deal. I still think Sykes would've been a better option but I'm just an armchair racer here

 

WSBK is going to be really competitive next year. I thought I read that Yamaha has done some work to improve the motors for next year. Look forward to seeing what each brand has done to upgrade. Don’t think any of the production versions have seen any changes.