After waiting for so long the two announcements that we have been expecting both happened together. First, Loris Capirossi announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the season, using his press conference to thank all and sundry, reflect on his career and make a half-serious request to the other riders to allow him to get one more podium before the end of the year so that he can retire with 100 podiums. I somehow doubt that any of the riders, regardless of how kindly they feel to the 22-year veteran of GP racing, will allow that question to linger in their memories for too long.
Then Colin Edwards announced that he will be leaving Tech III at the end of the year and linking up with the Forward team for their CRT entry in 2012. It is rumoured that TechIII’s Herve Poncheral has been working hard to ensure that the team has Yamaha engines, and also access to the best frames possible (not Suter, it is said)
Now while we wish these two veterans well, their retirements do throw a spotlight on the vacant positions that they will leave at each team. It is already being said that CEII was “asked” to leave to that his place could be taken by Bradley Smith, presently riding for the French-based outfit in Moto2. In my opinion Smith is a bad choice. He is far too erratic and unreliable and while the FIM and the BBC desperately want a British rider in MotoGp again, Smith is not the rider they need.
As far as Capirex’s position is concerned the question is not so much who will fill it but who would WANT it. With Ducati’s present parlous state, signing for any team using the Italian bikes would probably be the kiss of death. Nevertheless, there will definitely be some aspiring Moto2 rider who cannot resist the opportunity of a MotoGp ride and who will HOPE that 2012 can turn the factory’s fortunes around.
The expected purchase of Infront Sports and Media AG (owners of the WSBK brand) by finance group, Bridgepoint, now means that the company owns both MotoGp AND WSBK. Despite fears on both sides of the fence that this will be bad for both franchises, Bridgepoint have issued a statement saying that it will be “business as usual” and that they have no intention of meddling with the internal running of either series. Let’s hop that they are telling the truth.
Lots of Aussies in action this weekend. Arthur Sissis has the chance of winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup tomorrow night, Gareth Jones is on Pole for the Polish Superbike race tonight (yes, really), Matt Davies in P2 for the European Junior Cup race at Nurburgring and Casey Stoner and Ant west in action at Misano in the MotoGp meeting. As well we have FX at Winton for the local fans.
Finally, a wonderful Youtube tribute video for Loris Capirossi. Well worth watching.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri_UoD9pwY4&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]