An alert reader in Italy just tipped us off to this story from the Italian mainstream news website Mediaset, which reports that Casey Stoner has already signed with Honda for next season. According to the Giorgio Terruzzi-penned story (which lists no sources), the Australian has reached an agreement to rejoin Livio Suppo, who managed the Ducati Corse MotoGP project prior to moving to HRC this winter. Terruzzi claims that the deal was finalized between the Qatar and Jerez Grand Prix rounds, and that it was prompted by Ducati’s approaching Jorge Lorenzo with an offer during Stoner’s illness-caused three-race hiatus last year.

The report also claims that Ducati was not caught off-guard, and that they have already contacted Valentino Rossi with an offer for a two-year contract that covers not just financial considerations, but also “philosophical” factors. A response would be required in early June, in time for the Mugello Grand Prix. Elements to consider are that Rossi ally Masau Furusawa is planning to retire from Yamaha after this season, and that Rossi wasn’t pleased with Yamaha’s decision to re-sign Lorenzo to a one-year contract late last season.

http://www.roadracerx.com/breaking-news/stoner-to-honda/

MotoGP gets more interesting as the years go by

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Ducati 1098 Yellow "Winning is everything"

its getting good.

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07 GSX-R 600

2011 MotoGP roster: Valentino Rossi - Ducati, Casey Stoner - Honda, Dani Pedrosa - Yamaha

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well, if rossi goes to ducati. for sure spies will run the factory bike.

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07 GSX-R 600

Supposedly Rossi has till mugello, which is the next race, to decide. Lets see what happens

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Ducati 1098 Yellow "Winning is everything"

I agree, I think this is exactly whats going to happen. If Rossi goes Ducati he will stay numero uno for sure. Right now it's crazy bc him and Lorenzo are riding matched bikes and it's purely skill, which I think is more exciting to watch.

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"Live to Race...Race to Win!"
07 GSX-R750 "Sancha" Superstock Spec

Jarvis: Yamaha won't enter bidding war over Lorenzo

Whilst arguing that FIAT Yamaha's choice of riders in MotoGP 2011 will not ultimately boil down to money, Lin Jarvis insists the team will equally not enter into a bidding war with rival Ducati over Jorge Lorenzo

He might have won the last two GPs back-to-back, he might be nine points clear at the top of the title standings and he might currently be showing the way to his record-breaking, seemingly unbeatable team-mate Valentino Rossi – but FIAT Yamaha will not enter into a bidding war with Ducati Corse in order to retain the services of Jorge Lorenzo next year, insists Lin Jarvis.

The Italian outfit's team manager stated last week that FIAT Yamaha's objective is to keep hold of both of its riders into 2011 [see separate story – click here]. Both are out of contract come season's end – as, indeed, are the majority of the premier class field.

However, with the Italian and Spaniard having both come in for bids from rival teams – and the latter in particular having been pursued with some determination and a generous offer by Ducati last year – and Yamaha having suffered more than other manufacturers financially in 2009, it has been suggested that money could ultimately end up playing a deciding role.

An added complication is the uneasy relationship between the two team-mates, with nine-time world champion Rossi having sensationally claimed in Valencia last year that Yamaha would have to choose between him and Lorenzo in 2011 – in other words, between arguably the greatest competitor in motorcycling history but one who will likely soon be entering the autumn of his career, or the promising young rider across the other side of the pit garage who for many represents the future.

“That's our programme,” Jarvis told Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. “They cost too much together? I don't think it's just a matter of money. We can give them an adequate retainer for their value, plus a very interesting technical situation and bike.

“I don't like market talk so early in the season. However, we must accept it, so we are doing our talks and we hope to be able to define the 2011 team by mid season, let's say by Laguna Seca, in order to be able to focus on results during the second half of the season. We certainly have no interest in fighting over [Lorenzo's] retainer. FIAT are very happy and they would like to go on with the same people. In any case, we'll sort out the riders first.”

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/160029 ... renzo.html

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and the plot thickens. so pretty much they dont give a damn if lorenzo leaves haha

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07 GSX-R 600

They give a damn, they just don't have or wanna use money to get them. Lorenzo might be the top pick after Rossi leaves so why wouldn't they wanna keep him. Rossi is always top pick but no one knows how many years he still has in him. Both of these riders have made Yamaha a winner for 2009, i wouldn't wanna loose them. It all depends on how money hungry these two riders are. Im predicting that they both don't wanna be on the same team come 2011.

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Ducati 1098 Yellow "Winning is everything"

Why they hate each other so much?

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250R Super Stock

why does the lakers hates the celtics? why does manny pacquiao hates floyd mayweather?

u tell me...

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ricky....anhnimal put your flame suit on

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07 GSX-R 600

Mayweather talk too much shit. - So Lorenzo talk too much shit?

Celtics won 9 championships wins vs. Lakers. Lakers won 2. So does that mean Rossi is the Celtics and Lorenzo is the Lakers?

But they on the same team. So is it like Kobe vs. Shaq when Shaq was on the Lakers?

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250R Super Stock

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250R Super Stock