this in from superbikeplanet.com this morning.
“Reportedly, Yamaha has commenced negotiations with Valentino Rossi for a contract which would see him finish out his two-wheeled career with Yamaha. Rossi’s current contract with Yamaha ends with the 2010 season and Yamaha race bosses are keen to convince the Italian superstar that he should finish out his motorcycle racing career on an M1 Yamaha.
Yamaha will assuredly not be the sole bidder for Rossi’s services. Italian fans would like to Rossi ride an Italian motorcycle in Grand Prix, like Giacamo Agostini and Libero Liberati before him, which makes it probable that Ducati will again enter the fray for Rossi’s services. For Rossi, the attraction to join Ducati and give the world championship a try on an Italian motorcycle will be immense simply as a result of the nationalistic culture of Italy.
Honda had a mid-2009 season change of direction which has seen them re-examine their methodology in terms of outside technology and personnel in MotoGP. Honda will use Ohlins suspension and Magneti Marelli engine management on their factory MotoGP bikes in 2010. Thus, it’s almost certain that Honda will again try to re-sign Rossi (the Italian admitted the last time he re-signed with Yamaha that he had received an offer from Honda as well).
The jury is out on how much filthy lucre it will take to sign Rossi to a new contract and if the worldwide economic recession will impact the Italian’s paycheck.
Forbes.com estimates Rossi’s current income at $41 million; but that number includes sponsorships and also income from licensing.”
On another subject, my good mate Chris rang me last night to say that he’s staying with relatives at Port Macquarie and that he’s doing an Oxley run today….Grrrrrr.