News

paddock bits and bobs from brno

17/08/07

From Edgar Jessop in the bar

Suzuki is to test engines at Brno on Monday and Tuesday. Apparently they are all-new, pneumatic valve motors which are being prepared for next season - but why are there 16 of them in the back, under covers, of a truck?

Valentino Rossi has put a halt to his cosy chats with international reporters for the time being and will now only speak to the media in official press conferences. It has also been reported that a member of his management group has left the building... How taxing.

One of Rossi's bike has a much wider fairing on it for Brno. It looks not dis-similar to a Ducati fairing...

His team-mate for next season, Jorge Lorenzo, has admitted to riding the M1 for a handful of laps at the Spanish Almeria track.

Contrary to public opinion, Dani Pedrosa has not signed with Honda for next season. Is he holding out for cash or does he think the Honda won't be any better next year? And there is still a berth at Kawasaki...

Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal has said he expects his team, and James Toseland, to be treated as factory Yamaha next season, and has also said he doesn't expect his deal with Dunlop to continue. Neither of the current riders have got guaranteed places but he hinted that one of them might have.

Just tell us that Edwards is going to partner Toseland on Michelins and stop faffing about.

Speaking of Michelin, there are a few new faces wandering about in Michelin team clothing. Strange.

The AMA Superbike season ends in the middle of next month which will leave Roger Lee Hayden and Ben Spies sparing about with nothing to do. Unless they happen to be wildcarding somewhere... Which will pose a problem for Spies as he hates flying.

Pramac Ducati rider Alex Hofmann has been a busy boy. Not only did he find time to fly to Brands WSB, talk to almost every team manager in the paddock, have dinner with this reporter and few other riders of note, he is also at Brno touting for a contract. We hope he gets one as his talent has gone unrecognised in MotoGP.

Rizla Suzuki will remain Rizla Suzuki next season as the rolling paper giant has renewed its contract with the Paul Denning-managed outfit. This presumably means the BSB Suzuki boys will be in baby blue next year too.

Konica Minolta Honda has received new parts from HRC for this weekend. Hopefully, not the duff ones it has been giving Nicky Hayden all year...

Kawasaki has decided to run in its traditional lime green colours for the rest of the season and communications manager Ian Wheeler explains why: "The metallic green we ran on our Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP bikes during the first part of the season generated some lively discussion amongst Kawasaki fans worldwide

"But, while the colour was well received by some, research by our colleagues in Japan clearly showed that the majority of Kawasaki fans worldwide felt the traditional lime green a more appropriate colour for Kawasaki's factory MotoGP machines. For this reason, the Ninja ZX-RR bikes of Randy de Puniet and Anthony West will run the traditional lime green livery from Brno onwards."

Which means the board of Kawasaki didn't like it.

Come back for more later.