...sending Laconi to the AMA Superbike Championship for the final round (along with Lorenzo Lanzi from WSS). Could explain why they weren't that overjoyed at James winning the title. Blatantly obvious where their support was all season, and Laconi had the option of a second year in his contract if he won the WSB title. James was on a 'one year only' deal.
I really hope James leaves them to ride elsewhere as I don't think they're behind him as much as they should be. After all, he is/was a factory rider!
Think about it.... GSE back in BSB apparently with factory, I said FACTORY 999F05's and have to run a current Ducati rider....
Hodgson supposedly going to Suzuki, Capirossi going nowhere, Xaus looking favourite to get the factory ride (Ducati's only podium this year in GP)... Bayliss? I can't see hiom going to BSB, maybe WSB....
Lanzi would make a great rider in BSB, he nearly won the World Superstock last year on a 999S, and hasn't really shone that much on the 749R in WSS this year....
There's method to their madness there me thinks...
- Xaus to move to the Marlboro Ducati GP squad alongside Capirossi. - Hodgson will join the Xerox(?) Ducati factory team in WSB alongside Laconi. - Bayliss will ride for Paul Bird in BSB on a 999. - Toseland will join GSE Racing. On an R1(?). - Vermuelen will be on the Ten Kate blade (confirmed already) - Haga will stay with Renegade or join the Yamaha Deutschland (Klaus Klaffenblock's) team on an R1.
Hodgson has pretty much signed for Suzuki from what I heard from the GP paddock.
Paul Bird/Monster Mob aren't running Dukes next year, their running blades
Vermuelen as you have said is staying put, 2006 GP
Haga.... Renegade want to keep him (obviously) but I doubt they will/can, He wants a factory bike, he's been complaining all year about that point, Renegade haven't got 2 coins to rub together at the moment, I think Renegade will stay in WSB but not with Haga, it would be great if they could but I doubt they can keep him.
I don't think Toseland will go anywhere, but that is me talking, not rumours
I was thinking just the same thing Yeti. And no-one will remember or even care that Laconi should have / could have won in 3 months time. We will only remember Toseland as Champ.
I'm also surprised that Hodgeson might go to Suzuki. Who will go? Both Kenny and Hopper have been doing alright unless they run another bike of course.
Firstly, I'm well pleased JT took the championship.
But I doubt whether he will be at Ducati Corse next year, did anybody else catch Davide Tardozzi's face and body language........ it looked like he would have preferred Frankie Chilli to take the title!!
I reckon Bayliss will be back in WSB but with who else who knows.
Ducati had better get back to Bologna to make plans to foil the Japs comeback
04-Oct-2004, 12:27 
Ironic really, sending a Frenchman to ride in the States to boost the brand image....
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