As the World Superbike silly season gathers pace, Andrea Dovizoso's manager Simone Battistella has been in talks with the Ten Kate Honda team at Silverstone today.

The Italian rider is clearly keeping his options open and is believed to also be in negotiatins with Gresini Racing for a satellite Honda MotoGP ride in an effort to remain in the premier class, even if it isn't the factory motorbike he thinks he deserves.

Ten Kate are also speaking with Leon Haslam for next season as it looks very much like the Derbyshire rider won't be continuing in the re-structured BMW team which has already signed Marco Melandri and is actively pursuing Ben Spies.