Saturday Morning Moto News - BMW, MotoGP & Honda RC212V

BMW has released their annual report form 2009 and there is good news - we already saw that their sales drop was much less than the other manufacturers, except for one. At least this proves that the company is very stable and will be just fine for 2010 - unlike some other unfortunate manufacturers.

http://tinyurl.com/yhvnn46

The 1000c.c. limit in MotoGP, which comes up in 2012, may not spell the absolute end of the 800c.c. machines. According to the principals in charge of this, they will allow the smaller displacement to remain as the new rule is 'up to' 1000c.c. Expect to see one or two smaller bikes remain in the series, but the big guys will probably go ahead and take the extra cubic centimeters...

http://tinyurl.com/yc35pxr

Now, while at the Sepang International Circuit, Honda team director Kazuhiko Yamano and Project Leader Shinichi Kokubu sat down and talked about the new 2010 Honda RC212V. They discussed the way the factory and satellite teams will be handled as far as special parts and electronics. For more on this, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb4wpfh

More Morning Moto News - Moto2 @ Valencia, Steve Parrish & Road Racerhead

Some of the Moto2 teams were also out at Velncia doing some testing. Tech 3 was there with both riders, but left early due to the terrible weather. The Tech 3 team just cannot seem to get time on a track without some inclement weather interrupting them. Both Yuki Takahashi and Raffaele de Rosa had time on the circuit. Even Herve Poncharal thinks they may be cursed...

http://tinyurl.com/yc93xcc

Steve Parrish was at an event centered around the new Capcom MotoGP 09/10 video game. So, one enterprising press attendee took some time to interview the well-known motorcycle personality. Parrish is a fixture in worldwide motorcycle racing - as if you do not already know that. He is an interesting person as well, so take some time and read this interview.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ebm2m

Over at Road Racer X, their Road Racerhead column is in the midst of wondering if the old days of Carl Fogarty will return for Great Britain - a time when English riders start winning WSBK and even dominating the sport as they once did. Well, there is a chance now considering how many riders from the U.K. are competing in the WSBK paddock in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yzc9hdb

Thursday Morning Race News - Fiat Yamaha, Jerez and Luthi

Jorge Lorenzo now has a new team manager for his side of the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP garage, Wilco Zeelenberg. Zeelenberg had been team manager for the World Supersport Yamaha squad which took the title in 2009 with Cal Crutchlow - who is now up in World Superbike - so he certainly has the experience. His experience is also rather deep as he was also a racer, including time in the Grand Prix circuit. Let's hope that he is also helpful at keeping Rossi and Lorenzo from going at each other in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yglre8v

For the first time since 1990, the Jerez Grand Prix has won the IRTA award for 'Best Grand Prix' for 2009. Herve Poncharal announced the winner and congratulated the famous circuit. The Jerez facilities have recently been upgraded and it seems that everyone in attendance was quite happy with the event. Good going Jerez! Someday I will see you...

http://tinyurl.com/yl4snub

Interwetten Honda (Caffe Latte)will run with Thomas Luthi in the Moto2 series as well as fielding Hiroshi Aoyama in the MotoGP series. Luthi is a 125c.c. World Champion and has run in the 250c.c. class many times. His first test aboard the new Moto2 machine will be in February. Now there are three teams running in both MotoGP and Moto2 - Interwetten, Tech 3 and Gresini.

http://tinyurl.com/yklj6sn

Ben Spies Will NOT Participate in MotoGP Rookie Tests

Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 Yamaha boss, has said that Spies does not need to have the test as he will have plenty of time to adapt to the YZR-M1. Poncharal is even upset at the MotoGP bosses for allowing the extra tests considering the dire financial straights of the industry now. I can understand where he is coming from, but even the best riders need practice.

http://tinyurl.com/yesaobz

MotoGP To Confirm Move to 1000cc Limit

That is the word out of Switzerland, where the MotoGP principals - the people with power in the series - are to decide on the future of the MotoGP series. Rumors have been circulating for some time now about this, but it seems that the rumors may be true...we will know more by this weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/yccjcfr

Tech 3 Yamaha Looks to Win Races in 2010 MotoGP Season

First we hear from Colin Edwards and how he believes that Ben Spies will be a real challenge in the 2010 MotoGP Championship. He really thinks that Spies will be a solid force in his new role at Tech 3 - and who can argue with him after Spies took the WSBK Championship in his first year there. Of course, the MotoGP motorcycle is very different from the Superbike.

http://tinyurl.com/yh4prbd

Next, it the new is from Herve Poncharal - Tech 3 chief - about 2010 and how much they want a victory in 2010. He, too, believes that Spies will be a threat to win once he gets the YZR-M1 sorted...

http://tinyurl.com/ylkautj

And, Poncharal wants Edwrads to stay with the team even long after he stops racing - that's an indication of just how much the team respects Edwards.

http://tinyurl.com/yckenyr

Even Casey Stoner believes that Spies will be a real force when he joins the Tech 3 team in MotoGP in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ya3ql8t

More Feedback on the Rumored Move in MotoGP to 1000c.c.

Well, the production engine debate is still going on - unlikely, but possible - but the desire to move back up to near the old displacement level of 990c.c. from the current 800c.c. Herve Poncharal, in this continuing story, does support the move as it is more in lone with the realities of the industry today. But, he seems firmly opposed to moving to the production engines - as many are - since the MotoGP championship is the ultimate -pinnacle - motorcycle racing series, and World Superbike already uses 1000c.c. production engines. Have a read and see where MotoGP may end up in a few years...

http://tinyurl.com/yfljrw9

Even what seems like a confirmation of the eventual move from Vito Ippolito - you should know he is the president of the FIM:

http://tinyurl.com/yhkov3s

http://tinyurl.com/yzve4f9

The Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP Team Wall Will Remain

It seems that the wall necessitated by the ongoing ill will between Colin Edwards and James Toseland (if you do not know about it, look it up) in the Tech 3 garage will remain in place in 2010. Even though Spies and Edwards are actually quite good mates, the team has said that nothing will change in the paddock as far as the separation is concerned. They say that it now provides practical use...

http://tinyurl.com/yfwgopb

Tech 3 to Debut Their Moto2 Motorcycle on Tuesday

We are familiar with the Tech 3 Yamaha satellite team in MotoGP, but some will also remember when Tech 3 was a 250c.c. GP team. They are now going to take on the new Moto2 Championship for 2010 and they plan to release their race bike on Tuesday. It seems that the motivation for their return to the support class was when they changed the format and allowed custom frames on spec Honda 600c.c. engines - Herve Poncharal likes the idea of building their own machine...but, who wouldn't?

http://tinyurl.com/ye5lckj

Here it is: http://tinyurl.com/ykyfrcg

MotoGP 2012 May Feature 1000cc Engine Displacement

It has moved from 500c.c. two-strokes to 990c.c. four-strokes to 800c.c. four-strokes and in 2012, we may see it move up to 1000c.c. four-strokes. The Grand Prix Commission announced to possibility at Valencia today - the final round of the MotoGP Championship in 2009. It seems that the manufacturers might easily agree to this change; the MSMA seemed open to the suggestion. However, nothing can change until after 2011 due to the binding contract now in place. Supposedly, it will NOT be production-based engines and will remain a prototype series. Interesting news...

http://tinyurl.com/ylcv3a6

James Toseland Infuriated by MotoGP Start Penalty

Toseland jumped the start at Sunday's MotoGP race at Phillip Island - or, so it looked to race officials. To Toseland and Herve Poncharal both say that the punishment does not fit the crime. He was so incensed by the ride-through that he left the paddock before he even debriefed with his team...he was fighting for fifth position, but re-joined the race in 14th.

http://tinyurl.com/yl9dkox

Herve Poncharal Thinks Some MotoGP Riders Will Move to Moto2 in 2010

Seeing the number of seats which have already been signed for 2010, there is not much room in the MotoGP series in 2010. So, Poncharal believes that we will see some current MotoGP riders moving into the new Moto2 series - Honda 600c.c. engines in custom frames - and he says the racing in that series will be very good. With 38 riders already promised for 2010 Moto2, he could be right!

http://tinyurl.com/yh93d9s

Official: Ben Spies to Tech 3 MotoGP in 2010

Now it seems that a team boss Herve Poncharal has confirmed that American Ben Spies will be riding alongside Tech 3 Yamaha rider - and American - Colin Edwards in 2010. Poncharal went on to say that James Toseland will be moving back to World Superbike with Spies' former team, Sterilgarda Yamaha - though, I have not found another confirmation of that. In either case, Spies will finally be in MotoGP!

http://tinyurl.com/y9u7dem

An Exclusive Interview with Herve Poncharal from Tech 3 Yamaha

Poncharal states in this interview that an offer has been made to Colin Edwards for 2010. However, it may not be to his liking, but Yamaha has stated that he is their #1 choice for the Tech 3 team. They also ask about Ben Spies!

http://tinyurl.com/qksq5e

James Toseland Hopes to Stay with Tech 3 Yamaha for 2010

Toseland is hoping that he will be in the garage next to Colin Edwards next year. No, they have not suddenly signed a treaty or anything; it is simply that Toseland is very happy with the way the Tech 3 team has treated him. The problem is exasperated by the new 'no rookies' on factory teams rule in MotoGP.

http://tinyurl.com/lww2rb

More, here: http://tinyurl.com/lmza8e

Good Interview with Herve Poncharal, IRTA Representative to Grand Prix Commission

Herve Poncharal is very well-known to MotoGP fans as the team boss for Monster Tech 3 Yamaha, but he is also the IRTA representative on the Grand Prix Commission. Needless to say, he is a very busy guy. He took time out, during the GP summer break, for an interview with David Emmett.

Part 1: http://tinyurl.com/ncb2gt
Part 2: http://tinyurl.com/rah65s