Never Ending Morning News - MotoGP & Motorcycle Trading Cards

There is a great deal of activity in the MotoGP series this week. The teams are already on location and have set up for practice at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. The overseers of the series will also be on hand as they continue to firm up rules for the new 1000c.c. displacement rules, which should go into effect in 2012. And, we also hear that every single rider on the MotoGP grid will be wearing Ohlins suspenders - can someone say spec-suspension? And, new Ducati team manager, Vittoriano Guareschi, actually took 10 of the 2010 Ducati Desmosedici bikes out on the Sepang track for some practice - all on his own; talk about dedication. Of course, Guareschi was also factory test rider for Ducati before taking his current position.

Teams - http://tinyurl.com/ycbu9zw

MotoGP rules - http://tinyurl.com/yc953jx

Ohlins - http://tinyurl.com/yb8jxnj

Vittoriano Guareschi - http://tinyurl.com/ye6tels

Bongothedude has just released its first ever custom trading card service for motorcyclists. There are several packs already available online and they will even make a custom card for you or custom cards for your entire club or organization. As with baseball trading cards, there is a color image of the motorcycle on the front and a detailed information panel on the back. It's a good idea for any riding group - and, it could be fun to use them as business cards as well. Take a look and get some for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yaurnyl

Rain Hampers Ducati Testing for Hector Barbera

The testing for Barbera at the Jerez circuit in Spain started out very wet. This limited time on the track just a bit, but Barbera was also spied testing on the 2010 Desmosedici, rather than the GP9 version. He was joined by Guareschi and Franco Battaini at the private test. Marc Marquez was also there testing his new Ajo Derbi motorcycle.

http://tinyurl.com/yjasrsb

Hector Barbera and Ducati Testing Today at Jerez

Barbera, who won the final 250c.c. race ever, and Ducati test riders Vittoriano Guareschi and Franco Battaini are all at the Spanish Jerez track today doing some off-season testing. It is Barbera's second time aboard the Ducati as he also tested at the Valencia final (after the race) test with the Aspar Ducati MotoGP team. This is part of the unofficial rookie testing allowed by MotoGP.

http://tinyurl.com/y9wv2ju

Even More Rumor Around Livio Suppo's Departure from Ducati Race Team

Ducati is expected to confirm it at Valencia, but there are still some denials going around. We have all heard that Vittoriano Gaureschi will be taking over the race team management, but nothing else from Ducati about Suppo yet. MCN (UK) actually has heard rumors that place Suppo at Honda next season in a management role. What an odd turn of events...

http://tinyurl.com/ybcnl4c

Ducati's MotoGP Team Gains New Team Manager

This could, possibly, be an indication that Valentino Rossi will be moving to Ducati after 2010, but I am still hopeful he will not make that switch. This is because Rossi is not fond of Livio Suppo, the outgoing team manager. In either case, whether this is for Rossi or not, it is good to see Ducati actually promoting from within the company. Vittorio Guareschi was their chief test rider for the Desmosedici and other high-end motorcycle models, but now he will be managing Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden in the MotoGP World Championship!

http://tinyurl.com/yfj5dsj