MotoGP: Rossi ReSigns

The headline can be a little deceiving; no Vale hasn’t resigned from Yamaha but has in fact extended his current deal with Yamaha. The new deal sees the ‘best motorcycle racer ever’ riding for the Yamaha factory team until the end of the 2008 season.

The announcement, made last week, should hopefully put to bed the rumours that he will switch to Rally or F1, but knowing the Italian press I doubt it.

The new contract raises a few interesting points:

1. Why only one year? – Well Rossi has signed short deals with Yamaha since the switch. I for one believe it gives Rossi a relatively quick ‘out’ if he doesn’t enjoy the MotoGP season.  It also gives him an opportunity for his next MotoGP challenge – Ducati. WARNING BOLD PREDICTION COMING UP…. I feel that Rossi will still race in 2009 (unless he is injured), not only that but I see him signing with Ducati and this would see him ride with them until his retirement. Hopefully Aussie rider Casey Stoner will still be with Ducati and they could form an almost unbeatable rider combination
2. What is his motivation? – He has achieved much in the MotoGP arena in the past. Don’t be mistaken even though he humbly accepted Nicky Hayden’s win last year. As competitive as he is, he would have been hurting at losing the championship last year. This gives him a better shot at regaining the title
3. History has shown it takes Valentino 2 years to come to grip with a new format. In his early career (before the 990cc four stroke era), Vale would be competitive in the first year and win the championship the next. Could this be his way of helping fate improve his chance of success?
4. Who will sponsor the team? – Valentino has made no secret he doesn’t enjoy the sponsorship from tobacco companies. Currently it looks as thought Fiat (whom own Ferrari – F1 conspirators line up here) will be sponsors in 2008.

I will not bore you with the standard media release quotes, however they are full of Valentino stating he is very happy at Yamaha etc and Yamaha saying they are very happy for him to be in the team etc.

Interestingly, Texan Colin Edwards is sticking with Yamaha (or should it be Yamaha are sticking with him). Last year rumours where abound that he will return to World Superbike. I hope Colin does well in 2007. He has been very consistent over the last few seasons, always getting points from each race. The only problem is that it has been rarely at the pointy end of the field.

I will have more updates and comments soon, so keep coming back

Dave