This absolutely amazes me. I can't believe Honda is willing to let Dovi walk. The guy is a stud. Fast, stays healthy, and does not wad bikes up all over the place. I wonder how many years they are going to keep giving Dani. The guy is wicked fast, but can't hold it together year in and year out.
Isn't Dovi a Red Bull sponsored rider? I wonder if he'll be willing to give that up, not to mention that Herve can't pay HRC wages.
now i did see something interesting in the paddock this weekend. I saw capirossi riding on the back of a Tech 3 scooter with Herve....it was either a nice gesture or a ride to talk contracts..
I would guess that a yamaha based CRT would be significantly better than the BMW based machine kalio was on. While lacking the punch of the BMW, the electronics package of the wsbk yamaha seems to be miles better than the bosch system. Also, no disrespect to kalio, but Colin in the twilight of his career is a better rider than kalio in his prime. Colin would be the guy to develop that bike too.
I wonder if any of the riders would be able to control the current bikes without rider aids. 250+ hp and 325 lbs has to be a handful, even for an alien!
I just don't see the Yamaha being a particularly strong engine package, at least outright power wise. I don't think electronics in MotoGP are the problem now. If we wanna see more competitive racing, Bridgestone is gonna have to bring a tire that more than a few guys up front can get enough feel out of.
Why is he being forced out of Tech 3 Yamaha??? He has done more with that seat than anybody??? Matthew
Indirectly, I think it has a lot to do with Honda cutting back on their participation. There are more good riders than there are good rides.
There was some type of commentary over the race stating that Honda Respol's original plan for 2011 was to only have 2 bikes - Stoner and Pedrosa. However, it sounded like Dovi had to prove to Honda that he accomplished his contract obligations in 2010 and by doing that there was sometype of extension clause for 2011. That was my take on the commentary FWIW....then again I had a few beers while watching it!
As I heard a interview from Herve it was his choice an he never heard anything about it till yamaha questions and answers on Saturday in indy
I need to go back and read, but I think I saw a "tweet" from someone saying it would be CRT team with Yamaha engines too... I figure if two or three are confirming it, then its gotta be close...
Dani's still the better choice for them. When he's healthy, he's a threat. Period. Last but not least, he's Spanish, which Repsol likes.
What Chris said. Dani wins races, Dovi hasn't won much lately other than a tight buns contest at Mister Wiggles.
As I understand it, Repsol requires that one rider be Spanish as a term of their sponsorship. They may ease up on that condition if the world champion is flying their colors though...
