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Kan man forestille sig Doktoren på andet end en Honda - En Ducati
f.eks ?!?

Rumours in the Italian press are indicating that Valentino Rossi wants
to start negotiations for his future services in two weeks time at
Mugello.

The #46 is the undisputed King of MotoGP at the moment, and as such
isn't short of offers for 2004. The decision to stay with Honda had
looked like being an easy one – until the arrival of Ducati this
season.

The famous Italian marque has taken the GP world by storm with their
performances so far: Riders' Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss have
both led races - and finished on the podium - this year, with Loris
taking the team's first pole at Jerez.

The Desmosedici undoubtedly requires further fine-tuning to keep up
with the Hondas of Rossi, Biaggi and Gibernau over a full race
distance, but the writing is on the wall - perhaps not this year, but
soon, Ducati will be championship contenders. The V4 is already the
fastest GP bike ever made.

Rossi, a four times World Champion and favourite to take his third
premier-class crown this year, has never hidden his desire to win a
MotoGP title on an Italian machine, and that means either a return to
Aprilia or a move to Ducati.

Aprilia have improved considerably this year, but are still some way
short of Ducati, however any move to the red machines would face
several hurdles...

Firstly, the team appear delighted with their two riders already and
are unlikely to want to lose them after just one year, meaning either
a 2005 Rossi deal or a third factory bike from the Bologna based
company for next year.

Secondly, Rossi refuses to be sponsored by cigarette branding. With
Marlboro signed to back the team until the European tobacco
advertising ban comes into force in a few years time, Vale would
either need to find his own funding or change his tough
stance.<br><br>But why would he want to leave Honda anyway? HRC have
an unmatched recent history in Motorcycle Grand Prix and have evolved
the runaway 2002 title winning RCV still further this year. When Rossi
lines-up on a grid he can almost always rely on having the best race
machinery underneath him.

However, there has been long rumoured friction between the Italian and
his Japanese paymasters over his decision to use his trademark #46 for
the last two years instead of the #1 that means so much to his
employer.

The pressure from Honda to carry the #1 plate for 2002, after winning
the 500cc title, was said to have been 'considerable'.

Also Rossi, undoubtedly the most popular MotoGP rider of his time and
famous beyond motorcycling, is well aware of his image - the patriotic
Italian may be more than a little disturbed if, as is predicted, his
supporters are outnumbered by those of Ducati in two weeks time at
Mugello.

How would he feel if it falls on him to deny Ducati (and his
countrymen) of an emotional - and incredibly popular - first MotoGP
win in their home GP...? Of course he'd still be happy and take the 25
points, but the popularity of the victory might not match previous
years, and that will hurt.

But Rossi winning on a Ducati - that really would send Italy wild.

Nevertheless, Vale's loss would be a massive blow to HRC and they are
sure to do all they can to secure his services for next year and
beyond, especially as a replacement would be hard to find. The Repsol
rider's management have indicted it's simply a case of 'how long and
for how much' between themselves and a new Honda deal.

HRC had been lining up Daijiro Kato to be the Italian's natural
successor should such a shock move occur - but would now have to look
towards Max Biaggi (also a future Ducati possibility) and/or the fast
emerging Sete Gibernau.

The motive behind the Mugello date appears to be that Rossi wants to
know as soon as possible just what Honda will bring to the table. The
move is a clever one - those that can always negotiate early,
otherwise they risk being 'forced' to accept a less favourable deal
late in the year, when the majority of race seats have been taken.

Perhaps the best move from Rossi's point of view would be a one-year
extension on his current Honda contract, but will he follow his heart
or his head...?

--
-Michael
Aprilia RS250-dele plus div. andre dele til salg på:
http://62.79.120.117/
(opdateret med nye dele:24-05-2003)