No way Tech 3 wants Vermuelen, they already have former superbike riders that cannot win.

Bautista has turned down the Ducati ride and several times he wants no part of that bike.

I have ever heard any names other than Toseland, Edwards, Spies and DePuniet associated with Tech 3 - but then they never call me for advice, sooo...

hornet1 - 12 August 2009 02:23 PM

garyb425 - 12 August 2009 01:17 PM

Chaos - 12 August 2009 12:25 PM

Is there really all the much more money in WSBK for riders?

To my knowledge there is less. I believe that some of the riders in SBK draw zero or nearly zero in salary and need to bring a sponsor with them.

All hearsay, I have no inside knowledge.

I had a post that got lost..not to worry I'll sum it up

Hopkins has said he is not getting paid for the Stiggy deal. He just wants to ride. I have heard MGP riders also sometime ride for little or no money. So to me it depends on the rider/team/sponsor combination.

MGP = Few bikes. High cost. Why pay riders $$ if they want to be in the game?

WSB = Lots of bikes. Low cost. $$ available to bay a decent wage.

Just a thought. Checa said he wasn't making money in GP on the Tech 3 team. Maybe that was a relative, statement. Would you guess he makes more now or his last years in MGP? Would you think Biaggi is riding for a low wage now? A third of the WSB field were MGP riders.

Actually, a lot of the AMA riders have publicly stated that the AMA pays better than WSBK hence the reluctance for guys like Josh Hayes to leave the AMA for a place in WSBK. Of course this was last year, pre DMG so I'm not sure about now. Biaggi ended up on the Steriligarda Ducati last year because Alstare couldn't afford his wages.

I don't think there will be much money in AMA in the near future, but that is pure speculation.

I say CV is a better racer than Toseland, but not that much better. I guess the big reason for Spies to GP would be to get his rookie season out of the way. Spies, CV, Toseland and Haga would be an very good WSB season to watch, though.

Someone mentioned Randy D to Tech 3. I hope not. I just don't see him doing anything.

If no one else has seen the latest rumor, there is a 'will Stoner be with Ducati' one theoretically floating around the Brno paddock.

garyb425 - 12 August 2009 06:17 PM

If no one else has seen the latest rumor, there is a 'will Stoner be with Ducati' one theoretically floating around the Brno paddock.

thanks, kropotkin.

i'll eagerly be looking forwrd to your race reviews this wekend.

Was I supposed to say nothing?

Gary, I would take you over Kroptokenwhateverthehellhisname is anyday.

I love you, man.

*sniffle*