Given that Valentino could be out for an extended period, the immediate problem occupying the minds of organisers and the pundits alike is, who do they draft in to the FIAT Yamaha team to replace him? Surprisingly, it isn’t that easy.Yes, there are a number of former MotoGp riders currently available, but no one name immediately jumps to the forefront.
Americans are, of course, jumping up and down and demanding that Spies be chosen, and then foaming at the mouth in barely-concealed outrage when it is pointed out that he is ineligible due to the “Rookies” rule. They seem to ave forgotten that that rule is the reason why Spies is at Tech 3 to begin with. No amount of fulminating about it is going to change DORNA’s mind on this point.
Current Moto2 star, Shoya Tomizawa has been suggested also, having already been a MotoGo rider. As such he is exempt from the Rookie rule and he looks the most likely candidate. Remember he rode for the Scot Team for a few meetings last year before being replaced by the cashed-up Gabor Talmasci.
Apart from that, the field looks thin. And DORNA will have to do something quickly, because, according to their own rules, the minimum grid numbers for a MotoGp race is 17 riders. Special dispensation would have been given for only 16 riders at Mugello, but that situation cannot be allowed to continue. The situation does illustrate again (remember we had a similar grid number crisis last year) how finely balanced the MotoGp class is and how urgent it is for DORNA to do something a little more permanent to boost grid numbers and reduce costs. Whether the proposed 1000cc Production-based formula is the answer I don’t know. Filling the grid with slow bikes doesn’t seem all that sensible to me, but, who knows?
Interesting times ahead.
On another front, Circuit Breakers boss, James Spence, has scored a significant coup by gaining Australian Championshiop status for this year’s 6 Hour race, to be held on the weekend of the 3-5 December at Phillip Island. The addition of Superbikes to the grid will certainly attract more teams and running the event at Australia’s premier track can’t hurt either. You can read all about it on the official web site here.
sanoptic says
I thought Spies rode at least 1 gp race last year or the year before & also being the current World Superbike champion he should be given the opportunely to ride the factory Yamaha.
Then again who would replace him in his current team to make up the 17 .
Phil Hall says
Yes, Spies did ride a couple of races, but as a “guest” rider, not a permanent member of a team. As such, he is still classified as a rookie. Tomizawa, on the other hand, was a designated rider for the team so would not be regarded as a rookie. Fine line, I know. As for replacing Spies, I don’t think that would be too much of a problem. There are plenty of ex-MotoGp riders around who could do it. (Elias?)