Honda gaining leverage in its Rossi contract talks?

[ChrisUSA]

Could Honda tell the most talented person in motorcycling that they don't need him? With Ukawa and Katoh blasting to new records, i'm sure they feel like they are in the drivers seat - not Rossi. Do you think they would prefer a japanese world champion?

[f2001]

Rossi is only 23 ! why would they !

[asha]

if shooting Rossi would gain a certain Japanese world champion Honda would do it!!!!

but the only certainty in motogp is that rossi is the man to beat!

btw, The only guy I think that can do that is Katoh!

[Es Nes]

talent? who else would you want riding your bike?


anyways ... katoh deffently has the talent, but, might need another year. and then when/if honda put them on their 4 hell need at least another to get used to the 4. so, time will tell.

[KC]

Problem for Rossi is that he should have done this right after the season instead of allowing it to come out after nearly every other team has secured riders for next year. Part of his leverage comes from the fact that he would be welcomed at any team, but those teams all have riders under contract now and don't really have room for him. Its starting to play into Honda's hand now. I think it will all be settled before long and he will be back on the Honda.

[elephino]

KC, I agree it has been left a little too late to really work well for Rossi.

Katoh will need some time to become consistent on a 500. Considering how much talent he seems to have it will take maybe up to half a season at the most. So watch out in 2003.

Also consider Honda's point of view. You have Rossi on your books already from the previous year. You have Ukawa and Katoh running very quickly in lower categories (and then one in 500s as well for a year) but really they are unknown on the bigger bikes, especially with the new regs coming in. This means that the best for Honda is to have a known quantity in Rossi who everyone knows will be quick on whichever bike he rides and then they hedge their bets with two quick inexperienced (in comparison) riders. The fact that two of the three are Japanese just makes the Honda people extremely happy instead of just happy.

[Mr V]

honda (obviously) know their stuff and rossi is quite likely to match doohans records (also on a honda) so why would they get rid of him?

they possibly gonna have the 2 most successful 500 gp riders in the history of the sport riding their machines.

[chunder]

There absolutely no way in hell that Honda will let Rossi go. And if they do it will be Edwards whho will replace not one of the Japs.
Ukawa is the next Itoh/Okada HRC test rider come factory team guy. He will test all the new bits and Rossi will race with them.
Katoh is being groomed and let out on an NSR to give the 2 stroke guys something to do and try and sell the NSR to teams for the next few years.
HRC always have a slower Jap test rider in their team, have had since 1993.
THey will never let Rossi go as they never let Doohan go. Look at the way they dropped Criville like a stone when the Doctor became available, desiging the bike for Valentino's 250 style and leaving rear wheelers Criville and Gibernau in the lurch.
Edwards will be the back up man or maybe Roberts/Hayden from the US. THe Japs are there for show, maybe even Katoh

[ChrisUSA]

Chunder, i can assure you Katoh is not in MotoGP class for show - he owns the 2001 250 championship crown.