Rossi's Replacement?

[jhansen]

OK, so we should really have a thread for this. Obviously Rossi is out with injury and will miss at the very least four races. Brno seems a probable return, which means a five race spell without Rossi. The team have already stated that they will not field a replacement at Silverstone and Assen. So that leaves Catalunya, Sachsenring and Laguna; and maybe more. What are the possibilities?

The Test Rider: Yamaha could just put in a test rider as a substitute. I have not looked at their roster, but I assume this would be an older Japanese rider. They tend to not do so well.

The Yamaha Shuffle: The most likely scenario is Edwards slots in from Tech 3. Vale and Edwards used to test together, and most likely Edwards still gives lots of testing information to Yamaha. This isn't my favorite choice, but it seems probable.

That would leave a vacancy at Tech 3, which could be filled by a Moto 2 rider, Toseland, or Crutchlow.

Why Not Spies?: I believe Yamaha and Spies would rather not go down this route. I mean I'm sure Ben would love to ride Rossi's bike, but he does already have quite a bit of pressure with learning new tracks and moving forward with his rookie Moto GP program. I don't see any positives from this.

What have I missed?

[jhansen]

As an aside, Yamaha are contracted to put a replacement rider in after two races, which would be Catalunya. This is just lame, especially considering the small grid. In my opinion, a replacement rider should be brought in right away. Each team should have to nominate a replacement rider for the season. It only makes sense, given the nature of bike racing. Injuries do happen, but that shouldn't hurt the grid.

[2000yellow360]

I think that it will be Spies, but the real question is whether they will change the livery on the bike or not. They may well put someone else on the bike, but use Rossi's bike for him (spies). The alternative is that the replacement gets all the slow motors, and when Rossi comes back, he has the fast motors left. The Yamaha is down on power, so while others have used their "good" motors, he is left with the best motors for the end of the season. I wonder if Spies will realize that and understand that they aren't doing him any favors.

Art

[jhansen]

Regarding Spies, what about the rule about not allowing rookies on factory teams? Does that put him out of the running?

Originally Posted by 2000yellow360

They may well put someone else on the bike, but use Rossi's bike for him (spies). The alternative is that the replacement gets all the slow motors, and when Rossi comes back, he has the fast motors left. The Yamaha is down on power, so while others have used their "good" motors, he is left with the best motors for the end of the season.

Just use a test rider in that scenario then.

[ghinzani]

Originally Posted by jhansen

Regarding Spies, what about the rule about not allowing rookies on factory teams? Does that put him out of the running?



.

Exactly the point I was going to make. I'd like to see Colin on the bike just so he gets one more chance to win a race as he still has not, despite being very close on occasion. Stick a test rider or the Tech3 Moto2 Jap fella on Colins bike.

[chunder]

Colin has not been close to winning a race for a long time, last time was Holland in 2006.

He should not be on the bike now and has been off the pace consistently all year.

I have no opinion on who should be on it and actually hope no one gets put on it, that way Ezpeleta looks an idiot, there is no show with about 4 bikes on the pace and someone might force him to bring the new rules in next year!

GP without Rossi is duller than F1 in all honesty, the racing has been atrocious with very few exceptions!

[GORDON STREETER]

On this occasion chunder I actually agree with you. Moto GP has been getting worse with falling grids, and with Rossi out for the forseeable future I cant see it getting any better. After the first couple of laps it normally gets boring to watch and if it wasnt for the support races I would think that people would vote with their feet !

[GTRMagic]

Can Mr Stoner wangle his way out of his Ducati contract to take the ride?

[chunder]

In a word!! No

[jhansen]

MCN report that Crutchlow has turned down the chance to ride with Tech 3 while Edwards takes Rossi's seat. Haven't seen anywhere that Edwards was chosen, but it seems most likely. Either way, they have a quote from Crutchlow saying he had discussions with Yamaha, but ultimately decided not to do it.

Can't blame him. Switching back and forth between bikes and tires, and new tracks etc. Not a good environment.

[GOLDFINGER]

Why not just let Max take the Aprilla out on gp tyres ?

[chunder]

Edwards! How utterly dull!! Why not stick Herrin ot Hayes on the thing, at least someone or something different

I am sick of Edwards, should have retired years ago! every week he qualifies well then slumps, and now we are told he has some kind of Stoner illness! If so get well soon.... then retire!!

[jhansen]

Edwards spoke at Silverstone and said he has zero chance of being Rossi's sub for the coming races. Surly Spies then?

[GORDON STREETER]

I actually wonder after the Moto X accident and the broken leg will he possibly call it a day ?

[chunder]

Rossi? Are you kidding? Jeez!!

[GORDON STREETER]

Well up to now he has remained relatively unscathed in a long career and doesn't have anything else to prove. Don't get me wrong as love him or not he is brilliant for the sport and motorsport in general needs characters to up the profile.
As for a replacement ? It won't be a certain Mr Edwards, but whoever it is will have to play second fiddle to Lorenzo !

[2000yellow360]

I think that Spies may be getting the works equipment for his bike. Just a guess on my part, but from the way it looked on Sunday, his stuff can and does run with the factory stuff, and as you can see from Edward's bike, his can't.

We'll see the replacement next weekend, and anybody want to bet that that bike will be a tech3 bike in factory livery?

Art

[JohnnyFiama]

Originally Posted by 2000yellow360

I think that Spies may be getting the works equipment for his bike. Just a guess on my part, but from the way it looked on Sunday, his stuff can and does run with the factory stuff, and as you can see from Edward's bike, his can't.

Isn't that just the difference between the person sitting on the bike?

[GTRMagic]

Phone call from Mr Webber is a positive sign of Mr Rossi coming back. August 15 sounds too soon though

Seems like musical chairs are coming, with Mr Stoner allegedly to Honda in 2010, Mr Pedrosa to Yamaha allegedly, Mr Rossi to Ducati.... maybe they should just all go now

[Knowlesy]

Is Webber calling Rossi every day? I have read that story many times in the past few weeks, if I were Vale I'd be bricking it.

[2000yellow360]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFiama

Isn't that just the difference between the person sitting on the bike?

I don't think so. There are significant differences in the vehicles. Motors for the Fiat team make a little more power, the suspension pieces for the Fiat team are the lastest, while the Tech3 stuff is just a little older, and maybe not quite as good. There are differences between the actual works stuff and the satellite stuff. I found that out when I raced with equipment from the British Ducati Distributor back in the 80s. When I got the good stuff, I won, when I didn't I didn't.

[bestfit]

According to Davide Brivio on Twitter a couple of minutes ago:

"Wataru Yoshikawa, the Japanese Yamaha test rider, will replace Valentino starting from Barcelona GP next week, while waiting for Valentino."

You heard it here first folks!

[jhansen]

So the question is, will the test rider get the official equipment, or will someone like Spies be riding "Rossi's" bike?

[Dani Filth]

and will he keep it after Rossi comes back ??

[bestfit]

Originally Posted by jhansen

So the question is, will the test rider get the official equipment, or will someone like Spies be riding "Rossi's" bike?

I think if Yamaha wanted Spies on "Rossi's bike" he would have it already. Looking at Silverstone, maybe he did! There is nothing in the regs limiting the equipment a rookie can use, it simply states that a rookie can not ride for a factory team. It would be perfectly legal for Yamaha to transfer Rossi's bike to Tech 3 for Spies' use while Vale is absent.

Interesting listening to Jeremy Burgess on our coverage last weekend, (the only positive out of Rossi's accident), his opinion on Spies was; leave him alone and let him learn and progress at his own pace. He was not in favour of putting him on Rossi's bike. He said it would add a lot of extra pressure for him to achieve good results while still a rookie and still learning the bikes/tyres/tracks etc. I tend to agree.

I cannot however, see any sense in putting Yoshikawa on Rossi's bike. He will be 3-4 seconds off the pace at best. We are likely to have the "prime" bike in the field circulating at the back of the pack. What use is that to Fiat or Yamaha? Why not put Yoshikawa in Tech 3 and Edwards on Rossi's bike, or at least in Fiat colours? Colin would be unlikely to win or podium, but he is popular and would be able to generate some interest and give mileage to the sponsors. Yoshikawa is unlikely to gain much TV time unless he bins it.