Rumors, rumors, rumors...

It's getting to be that time of the year again. Some riders have done well, some not so well. Factory programs with big money invested in a rider winning are increasingly wanting to find out who they'll have on contract next year, rather than waiting till the last minute. Some of the obvious big-time rumors are:

Nicky Hayden. Former MotoGP champ, American, a great rider and a great marketing resource. He has been very reluctant to leave Honda- at points even hinting that the only reason he is in MotoGP is to race for Honda. We have to face the facts, however: Hayden has done poorly this year. Repsol teammate Dani Pedrosa is clearly Honda's choice for #1 priority rider. Hayden seems to be adjusted to MotoGP and I somehow doubt if he can't make things work with Honda he'll either remain losing or go back to dirt track or the AMA (even though I'd love to see him in WSBK...).

In an interview with an English journalist, Hayden recently made an analogy about his team that he doesn't want to go to the prom with a 'worn out, broke down' girl. Lately, every other race we seem to see Hayden smashing his fist against his tank due to some mechanical or tire troubles. He is not happy with his current situation and so the rumors amass.

Nicky Hayden to Ducati MotoGP as a teammate to Casey Stoner is EVERYWHERE. Hayden has stated that "a guy" would have to be an idiot to not consider riding for Ducati, considering the bikes outright speed. Casey and Nicky also come from somewhat similar flat track backgrounds, and word seems to be the Ducati is the bike most friendly to "bigger guys" (which in motogp is over 5'6"). Every thing seems to be in line here... but how much Ducati will pay him is always the main factor, and unfortunately the last factor anyone outside of the team finds out, if ever.

Chris Vermeulen to Ducati World Superbike as the replacement of soon-retiring points leader, Troy Bayliss. I say: woohoo. Just a rumor though... like everything else here.

Ben Spies to ???. Spies (whom is by the way, recovering from emergency appendectomy right after racing both AMA superbike and MotoGP the same day at Laguna Seca- wonder if he's tired?) wants MotoGP, however the team is unknown.

Yoshimura Suzuki's AMA program is said to pay him VERY well. Suzukis World Superbike program has also formally and publically offered him a factory ride. Ben just seems to be hungry for MotoGP. The way Suzuki pays its AMA champions, especially with Mat Mladin most likely soon retiring, the reason for jumping to a non-frontrunning MotoGP team has to be to chase a personal goal. Team owner Francis Batta of Alstare Suzuki wants him for WSBK ( http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/May/080531g.htm ) and while it is hard to imagine turning down a MotoGP ride, if Spies ends up riding for Suzuki, or even Kawasaki, he will be on second rate machinery, period.

I believe he has the talent to be a top 3 World Superbike rider and with Bayliss out next season it is open game for anyone. Combine this with a strong teammate like Neukirchner and the situation just looks great overall. Besides that- Spies isn't exactly old. 1-2 years in WSBK and if he does well, he may have even more MotoGP options open or maybe Suzuki will have gotten their act together. As of right now, a 3rd or 4th place finish is a miracle for them.

Max Biaggi to Ducati or Aprilia or...? ( http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/478/motorcycle-news-biaggi-for-aprilia-and-vermeulen-for-ducati) Biaggi's current Ducati teammate, Ruben Xaus, as I mentioned in an earlier post has already signed to ride BMW's S1000rr superbike entry in 2009. There as for a while talk that Max wanted a piece of that as well... At Brno, however, Biaggi was seen being quite friendly with the factory Ducati guys. There is also word that Biaggi has had some chats with Aprilia for their return to the championship on their new, and extremely impressive RSV4.

British Superbike contender Byrne also in the cards for a Ducati ride in WSBK.

Troy Corser to BMW? Corser is the dream development rider. He has broken the 6000 lap barrier in world superbike only recently. He IS world superbike. It just seems like hes always been there now. He also helped (with some surprising success) the Aprilia RSV 1000 effort back at the turn of the millennium, as well as the less successful, but valuable in the name of experience, Foggy Petronas project. Forget all that and keep in mind he's been consistently battling for the win in his last few races and has said he would be happy to "change his colors" even though he isn't on bad terms with the Yamaha team. Thing is, he hasn't been able to WIN on the Yamaha, despite pole after pole and podium after podium. Xaus is known as a wild, risky rider who can pull out a serious win every now and then when hes on the right bike and a future ahead of him. Corser is just as competitive, if not more, but has more experience developing world superbikes than any other top rider out there. Nothing would show BMW is serious more than this duo being signed.

UPDATE: Corser has renewed with Yamaha for '09. UPDATE 2: or not? conflicting reports.

Melandri to anyone. Melandri sucks on a Ducati. There, I said it. He sucks on a Ducati. Amazing rider. Amazing bike. Terrible combination. He will almost surely be on something totally different next year and whether he would even finish the year was/is in question. Kawasaki seems to be a hot rumor, as does satellite San Carlo Honda.

Speaking of Melandri, Sete Gibernau has been testing with Ducati and is rumored for Melandri's ride. This... isn't so likely. Sete just doesn't seem to be that serious about a full-time hardcore return.

Anthony West borderline-threatened by his team for inconsistent performances. If he wants to "stay in MotoGP" they say he needs to get serious. Finishing a lap down in California...

No room for rumors:
Rossi and Edwards have extended their contracts with Yamaha (Rossi to Ducati rumors were huge at one point)
Xaus is signed to BMW
Bayliss is retiring
Neukirchner has extended with Suzuki