As with many vehicle developments, racing is where much of it starts as it pushes boundaries on big budgets. Suzuki have probably done their objectives. They seem single-team driven in all the racing I can think of when it comes to fs Tory support
I don't know if you guys listen to any podcasts, my favourite being "The Race" which covers F1/MotoGP etc usually appears a day or two after each round, Toby Moody runs the podcast plus usually 2 others, Simon Patterson being one. They did an emergency podcast on Monday night as the news started to come out, Simon was at the Jerez test so contacted Toby and said we need to do another podcast. Some things that I gleaned from it: - No one in Suzuki knew this was coming Brivio leaving had nothing to do with this This years Suzuki's won't progress any further development wise This will probably be a financial decision, and the move to biofuel and EV, Suzuki just don't have the budget Mir will replace Pol at Repsol Honda Rins could be at Aprilia or Yamaha, Vinales has stupidly stated he could move to another team so Aprilia may look to act upon this given 2 top riders are now available. Dovi will retire anyway. The two grid slots, Suzuki could lease/sell the bikes/setup like the Kawasaki did back in the day, but to what end? Suggestion was KTM could take the 2 free slots and field 2 Husqvarna branded bikes (like they did years ago in the lower classes), this would mean they would get concessions again and in effect bend the rules so they could continue to develop the bike for the factory team.
Really intriguing, on reflection, I would surmise that all of those, save for the Husqvarna curve ball would be a relatively safe bet. Only reason I mention the KTM Husky thing is that it would seem a little blatant to me, to attempt that kind of action. Did they really think that was a possibility or were they spit-balling in the way they do? I’m sitting here wondering if Mir going from is reported as a super sweet handling Suzuki would be like going onto the apparently unruly Honda. That being said, I’m sure they’re still dialling it in and it’s only going to get better. Wonder where that would leave Pol?! I suppose if he hasn’t burned any bridges at KTM, the door could be reopened for him to assist if the Husky thing comes around. Silly season for sure!
I think Motogp is going to be brutal next year with some big riders sat on the side lines. Pol being one of them. I think he will be last picking because he was a bit billy big balls pre-season "Now Honda have made a bike we can all ride like Marquez" then Marc comes back and is the only one staying on and getting results... Maverick is done... he will loose his seat at Aprilia not on performance so much, but as Martin says because there will be a better rider available, simple as that, which means he's out. In terms of the other factories, personally I can see Olivera being demoted, I think he will stay in the championship but only because of his passport, just like in fairness British riders have been given chances in the past (like Crutchlow was before he more than proved himself IMO). Interesting times.. probably more interesting than the actual racing has been of late
I can certainly see Maverick getting the dunt. He doesn’t seem to have the mental level required to be in the running as a world champion contender any more regardless of the bike under him. At least that’s the way it comes across. This Suzuki rumour / news will certainly be a catalyst for some major changes.
Same happened on endurance. Toyota remained alone after peugeot and Audi departed. Normal people are losing interest in racing, and in cars and bikes in general. Young ordinary people see car as a tool to take them from point A to point B with no disturbances. Period. Very sad.
Feck me i did just one anticlockwise circuit in the early nineties ( Volkswagen Polo c ) and got bored let alone that amont of miles, i guess beers and peanuts would help ease the pain.
Current theory is Mir to Aprilia replacing Maverick... The Aprilia being a demon on the brakes which suits his style, the old Honda was front focused also, the new one not so... could this sway his decision, and he is all about the $$$ Rins to RNF (assuming they remain Yamaha). But I wouldn't bet on the above.
