Edwards/Rossi Moves

deez · 11-02-2003, 2:04 PM

From MotoGp

'Colin Edwards will return to Honda for the 2004 season after signing a deal with Team Gresini Racing to ride alongside Sete Gibernau under the Telefónica MoviStar colours. The 29 year old Texan, won two World Superbike titles with the Japanese factory in 2000 and 2002, has spent his debut MotoGP season struggling at the back of the field on the Aprilia RS3 but is sure to be a major championship contender on the Honda RC211V which has won the title for the past two seasons at the hands of Valentino Rossi.

Manager Fausto Gresini expressed his satisfaction at the deal: “I can say that I am at the head of a winning team – two riders like Sete and Colin are reason to have high hopes and expectations of top results. Looking forward to next season I think we have the potential to go for victories. I am a great admirer of Edwards – he is a rider who combines talent with determination.'

This is very cool because Colin takes Dajiro's spot. In the irony, Colin and Dajiro won the Suzuka 8HR together last year, bery bery cool as the Dr. would say

deez · 11-02-2003, 2:06 PM

'Valentino Rossi and Honda today made a joint announcement to confirm that they will not renew their contract for the 2004 MotoGP World Championship. After a relationship spanning four seasons which has yielded three world titles and 33 premier-class victories, the Japanese factory and the reigning World Champion confirmed their separation to a packed press conference just hours after the Italian’s final victory on the RC211V at Valencia.

Rossi revealed that he felt he had achieved everything he possibly could on the V5 machine and added that he was looking forward to racing against it next season. “I am here to say thank you very much to Honda and that next year we will not race together. I have had four fantastic years which are truly unforgettable. We won three World Championships and more or less 50% of the races. I have won in normal conditions, in the wet, in the dry, at my favourite track and, today, at my least favourite track. My work on this bike is finished.

“I am a HRC rider until the 31st December so I cannot comment yet on which bike I will be riding, but I can say that it will be a big challenge – it maybe even seems a little crazy right now! I think all the journalists, fans and everybody involved in this sport is very happy because next year will be a great fight.”

Carlo Fiorani, Sporting Manager for HRC, declared: “Everybody knows that Honda have been in negotiations with Valentino Rossi for much of the season. Honda have done everything in their power to convince him to stay, but in the end the decision was nothing to do with money, sponsorship or any other standard contractual situation. The only area of difficulty is that we cannot offer Valentino the challenge he is looking for and we understand that he should look for that challenge elsewhere.”

deez · 11-02-2003, 2:07 PM

'The following is a statement issued on behalf of Fortuna Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio.

'We welcome this evening's news that the Honda - Valentino Rossi relationship has drawn to a close. As many people know, when it became clear that there was a possibility that Valentino would not renew his agreement with Honda we made contact with his management team. I can confirm that our discussions with Valentino's management are proceeding well. With the confirmation that he shall not renew with Honda we shall proceed with our negotiations and hope to conclude an agreement within the immediate future.”

'This is obviously a very exciting prospect for us. However, until we have one hundred percent finalised an agreement with Valentino we shall not be able to comment further on the situation and on our Team's final line-up for 2004.”

'We fully appreciate that there is enormous media interest in Valentino's future and so we shall endeavour to be as open as possible. However, at the present time I can say no more than this. Our joint aim is to make a full announcement as soon as all the details have been finalised.'

deez · 11-02-2003, 2:10 PM

Now Hodgson is confirmed...

'Luis d’Antin has announced that his team has reached an agreement with both Ducati and 2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson to contest the 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

“It is a very exciting challenge for me,” Hodgson was quoted as saying by Dorna Sports. “I watched the free practice this morning from trackside and these bikes are very intimidating. They are very, very fast and unbelievably loud, but I spoke to Loris after the session and he says it is less scary to ride one than it is to watch! It will be difficult but not impossible to win races - that is why I am here. My only intention is to work very, very hard to get the maximum out of the bike and of myself.”

D’Antin Ducati will field two riders but has not announced the second rider.

The announcement of the d’Antin Ducati deal included word that Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss would return to the Marlboro Ducati factory team in 2004.'

ccwilli3 · 11-02-2003, 2:54 PM

WOO HOO! Edwards is back baby!

I can't wait to see the texan up front!

Proto · 11-02-2003, 3:08 PM

Valentino Rossi said ...Quote but I can say that it will be a big challenge – it maybe even seems a little crazy right now!

Now I *know this is not really going to happen, but wouldn't it be great if Rossi got on the Aprilia next season. He always wanted to ride an Italian bike, or so it has been reported. He's ben on Aprilia before and won World championships for them. it would certainly be crazy and a big challenge. And Aprilia doesn't have cigarette sponsorship money behind it which is very much in it's favour with Rossi. It's a match made in heaven.

Aprilia have got *new bike undergoing testing. New motor at least. What do you think?
Nah, I', just dreaming.

It's going to be Yamaha.

ccwilli3 · 11-02-2003, 3:13 PM

Quote:

Proto : Valentino Rossi said ...Quote but I can say that it will be a big challenge – it maybe even seems a little crazy right now!

Now I *know this is not really going to happen, but wouldn't it be great if Rossi got on the Aprilia next season. He always wanted to ride an Italian bike, or so it has been reported. He's ben on Aprilia before and won World championships for them. it would certainly be crazy and a big challenge. And Aprilia doesn't have cigarette sponsorship money behind it which is very much in it's favour with Rossi. It's a match made in heaven. *

Aprilia have got *new bike undergoing testing. New motor at least. What do you think?
Nah, I', just dreaming.

It's going to be Yamaha.
Proto,

I've been hoping that all year, but it aint' gonna happen I don't think... That truely would be a serious challenge!

And I do think it'll be the M1 too...

Crash · 11-02-2003, 3:35 PM

I'm friggin pumped to have CEII and Hayden running honda's. Next year will be awesome for sure.

Proto · 11-02-2003, 3:52 PM

BTW, 'Shakey' Shane Byrne has been confirmed as one of the Aprilia riders for next year. Bloody good rider, slightly arrogant, prepared to push it all the way, doesn't ever give up. Future champion?

Two or three years back he was a road tester for Fast Bikes! *

Got a mag somewhere with him road testing a Gold Wing, standing on the seat, cruise control on, surfing down a public highway. *Just wearing shorts and sneakers. *

tigerblade · 11-03-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Proto : BTW, 'Shakey' Shane Byrne has been confirmed as one of the Aprilia riders for next year. Bloody good rider, slightly arrogant, prepared to push it all the way, doesn't ever give up. Future champion?

Two or three years back he was a road tester for Fast Bikes! *

Got a mag somewhere with him road testing a Gold Wing, standing on the seat, cruise control on, surfing down a public highway. *Just wearing shorts and sneakers. *

Shakey is awesome.

Rios929 · 11-03-2003, 11:46 PM

so if hodgson is gonna ride a ducati with capirossi, where is bayliss going...they're not replaceing bayliss with hodgson are they?

ccwilli3 · 11-04-2003, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Rios929 : so if hodgson is gonna ride a ducati with capirossi, where is bayliss going...they're not replaceing bayliss with hodgson are they?

troy and capirossi are staying on the A team. Hodgson will run this year's bike with a yet to be names rider on the B team...

tigerblade · 11-04-2003, 8:31 AM

Quote:

ccwilli3 : Hodgson will run this year's bike with a yet to be names rider on the B team...

I heard it's a wicked-fast guy from central Missouri.

deez · 11-04-2003, 11:06 AM

Edwards is testing the RCV today, and is close to race pace after 10 laps

CyBeR929 · 11-04-2003, 11:46 AM

<-----------------
First pics coming out on motogp
<-----------------

deez · 11-04-2003, 11:59 AM

Quote:

CyBeR929 : <-----------------
First pics coming out on motogp
<-----------------

Killer! Him finangling 4 hours of practice instead of 1 1/2 hours, means he really wants to make up for this season on the POS! The phucking guy is one of the most determined out there is an understatement.

RRWANTR · 11-04-2003, 12:06 PM

http://images.motograndprix.com/mult...257/257727.jpg

Yee hawww!!!!
Can't wait!

CyBeR929 · 11-04-2003, 12:13 PM

Video.....sweeeeeeet

Colin in Blue

deez · 11-04-2003, 12:15 PM

Castrol being a sponsor sure makes this deal so much easier.

BDA116 · 11-04-2003, 12:21 PM

The growl when the bike comes to life is awesome! It must be even more spine-tingling in person.
I really hope he and Nicky continue their friendship and help each other out next year.
I'd like to say one of the two will win the title, but I think Sete will get the top spot next year.
Why do we have to wait? This off-season will be both fun and agonizing to watch.

deez · 11-04-2003, 12:23 PM

If I were betting, I'd bet on Rossi still winning, with a side bet on Colin

SuperDave · 11-04-2003, 1:04 PM

Thanks for the video link CyBeR, that was cool. *So Colin can get rid of the fire extinguishers now! *Would have been cool to hear a comment after getting off the bike, oh well. *Can't wait for next season (and this freaking season just ended).

deez · 11-04-2003, 2:16 PM

Quote:

SuperDave : Thanks for the video link CyBeR, that was cool. *So Colin can get rid of the fire extinguishers now! *Would have been cool to hear a comment after getting off the bike, oh well. *Can't wait for next season (and this freaking season just ended).

Check his site out later today, he'll chime in.

ccwilli3 · 11-04-2003, 2:19 PM

Quote:

RRWANTR : http://images.motograndprix.com/mult...257/257727.jpg

Yee hawww!!!!
Can't wait!

DUDE! I so totally jumped up when I saw this! YES!

CyBeR929 · 11-04-2003, 2:26 PM

Rumor from Colin's site is that he was 0.2 seconds under Rossi's race pace. I realize it's different testing, but he only ran about 25 laps!! Come on APRIL!!

deez · 11-04-2003, 2:28 PM

Quote:

CyBeR929 : Rumor from Colin's site is that he was 0.2 seconds under Rossi's race pace. *I realize it's different testing, but he only ran about 25 laps!! *Come on APRIL!!

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