Who goes where? The speculation continues

By Dan Moakes
October 17 2002

What exactly is going on with regards the 2003 World Championship rider line-ups? The ‘silly season’ has gone into overdrive lately, and plenty of changes, or rumoured changes, seem to be on the cards presently.

Firstly, the all-new Kawasaki GP team have targeted Alex Barros to lead their four-stroke assault next year, with Andrew Pitt thought likely to back him up on a second ZX-RR - if Barros makes the move. As it is, the standard-setting Honda RC211V seems to suit the Brazilian quite nicely at the moment, although the privateer Pons squad may not benefit from the full works-specification bikes, in keeping with recent tradition.

Plenty of rumours continue to surround the future of Colin Edwards, with an Aprilia GP1 ride now looking to be the most likely option, providing the deal includes Michelin tyres. Other possible routes into GPs for the Texan included a privateer Honda RCV on Bridgestones, or possibly taking over from Max Biaggi on the works Yamaha M1. He could even have replaced Shinya Nakano in the Tech 3 team, but it now appears that any Yamaha deal will not happen, and Kawasaki is also only an outside bet. Apparently, the Castrol Honda World Superbike team had already decided to drop Edwards earlier this year, which prompted his initial contact with the Ducati opposition. However, this has turned around somewhat, as the Honda team are to be involved in the projected GP project. No doubt this will all become clear...

The latest news concerns the Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki team, as the Telefónica part of the sponsorship equation is to switch to, most likely, the Honda Gresini squad. Gresini are expected to expand to a two bike set-up, and it seems that Telefónica are keen to take Suzuki’s Sete Gibernau with them, to join up with Daijiro Kato on an RCV. The Spaniard has said that he still has faith in his existing team, and hasn’t yet made any decision to leave. If Sete stays on, his partnership with Kenny Roberts will be renewed, as the American has signed a long term deal with Suzuki.

Expect more updates to emerge as the Grand Prix circus convenes in Australia for the penultimate race of the season, this weekend.