Evs7

Interesting footage from Laguna Seca too. The signs were clearly there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCjBEuXTrZw

Confirmed by both Ducati and Yamaha. http://www.rubbersidedown.co.uk/sport/valentino-rossi-signs-for-ducati-for-2011/

"> Funny.

Its not so bad, I take it that was for all three days. Friday, Saturday and Sunday... only about £35 per ticket per day. Haven't you seen on MCN... Rossi said he's retiring at the end of the season. Just kidding. Should be good tickets enjoy, Although I think your tickets will allow you pretty much anywhere apart from the paddock and other grandstands so if the weather is good maybe go for a walk around the track and check out other nice viewing points. Enjoy.

Thanks for info Awwwnuts.... how do you get it though? I hear the odd piece of news on Eurosport or in the sports papers but you seem really clued in on it. I never knew the Tech 3's were three or four life cycles behind Rossi's and Lorenzo's bikes. I wonder what the changes are?

don't they start the year at the same spec? wow If they are four stages behind it makes what CE is doing even more impressive. What would he do on full factory?

Still can't see Rossi hanging up his boots and walking away. He loves competition, maybe a small stint in WSB. Aren't the Tech 3 bikes factory spec anyway?

This completely baffles me.... I can't understand for the life of me why Spies would put off moving to MotoGP until 2011. It makes no sense. Fact is that he has fairly dominated WSB in 2009 (he has, something stupid like 8 poles and 10 wins.) Why would you stay in a class you are dominating when you have already stated that your aim is to be in MotoGP? I know Rossi's contract is up for renewal in 2011 and he has stated that he may not continue if JB quits, but Spies wouldn't be able to move up to the Factory squad because of the new ruling. I wonder if there is a option in that contract that says if he wins WSB then he will move straight up in a swap with CE?

This completely baffles me.... I can't understand for the life of me why Spies would put off moving to MotoGP until 2011. It makes no sense. Fact is that he has fairly dominated WSB in 2009 (he has, something stupid like 8 poles and 10 wins.) Why would you stay in a class you are dominating when you have already stated that your aim is to be in MotoGP? I know Rossi's contract is up for renewal in 2011 and he has stated that he may not continue if JB quits, but Spies wouldn't be able to move up to the Factory squad because of the new ruling. I wonder if there is a option in that contract that says if he wins WSB then he will move straight up in a swap with CE?

From what they say the Arena section will be where to go... you will be able to see across to Maggotts, Becketts and the other one... sorry my brain fails me and you will be able to see the bikes come right past you.... looks like it's all grandstands though so might be pricey. Hope you have a good one though

"> Brilliant... Always willing to make the crowd laugh... classic lads.

Nice video... good catch of the two really key moments of the race, the two Yamaha's falling. No 250cc video?

I'm going to go there, I have the tin opener and I have opened this can of worms. What are we all thinking about this situation? Firstly, I like the lad, I always support the British lads at the races as well as my favourite racers from other countries, but I always have and always will wish the British lads well. But at the same time I won't blindly support anyone. Toselands a nice lad, I've read his auto-biography and he's by no means had it easy, but I personally can't justify him keeping a seat in the Tech 3 team in 2010. At the same time there are a number of other riders (Vermeulen/Canepa/Capirossi) who I also couldn't justify keeping their rides in 2010. I reckon he could maybe move to the Pramac Ducati team and spend a third season in MotoGP, but on the Yamaha which is considered the best bike in the paddock. I'm afraid his results don't justify it. I know he scored a front row in Qatar in 2008 but it was a cold track and all the front runners were Michelin. I know he finished 6th yesterday, but Rossi and Pedrosa fell off, so it could have been 8th. I know he finished 9th in Brno but three riders in front that day fell off. It would make me so happy to see Toseland finish top 5 in the next few races and prove me wrong, but if not surely he won't be in MotoGP in 2010. What does everyone think? BTW GO JT in MISANO

Well strange things DO happen. I turned off Eurosports coverage the other day and turned on the BBC's coverage. Why?.... I got part way through the 250cc commentary and they were like who is Cluzel, where has he come from, oh I don't expect he'll stay around long. Was this the same Cluzel that finished 2nd in Qatar... some people have short memories. So the BBC got a new viewer. But I couldn't record off the red button on my sky, so thank heavens for Eurosport.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Jorge+Lorenzo+to+decide+on+2010+options+shortly He's set to announce it in the next week. I just hope he stays with Yamaha and doesn't go to Ducati. He can consistantly push Valentino on the Yamaha, who knows if he will gel with the Ducati. Worrying thing is that Ducati have an option on Hayden until 1st September. If Lorenzo goes to Ducati and Stoner returns that means Hayden is out. Does the fact that Lorenzo's decision is coming before September 1st mean that he is going to Ducati? If so who would take the Yamaha factory seat? Elias? Hayden? De Angelis... remember no rookies into factory teams in 2010.

Suzuki will be fitting an super strong anti wheelie device to his bike in 2010.

Yep Brookes and De Puniet have cost me some points, hopefully they can pick it up again in the next rounds.

After sustaining injuries in an accident in the Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch on Sunday, Henry Surtees, son of the Former F1 and Motorcycle world champion John Surtees has passed away. A very sad day... almost a year after losing Jonesy at the same track another young talent is gone. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77088 I hope there is something done at the BSB round in August to remember Craig Jones. Gone but not forgotten.

Don't worry it should be even better next weekend... The Formula 1 clashes with ..... THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX... oh not just any MotoGP the one in the UK. I'm sure Formula 1 will get a nice long program, while MotoGP will be another half ar*ed effort. As mentioned before I have no problem with the presenters as they are doing what they are told, but the producers at the BBC need a slap. Don't waste our license money on buying the rights to our beloved sport, then make it into a 1hr filler between the news and Eastenders. BTW how come things like the golf, snooker and Wimbledon bend the scheduling rules but when MotoGP runs a little late... oh no sorry the race is over... bye

nice long build up again today. 10 minutes.... they got to speak to one rider on the grid. Plus they didn't even have time to watch the podium celebration because...... oh thats right they needed to broadcast the Eastenders Omnibus.... a repeat.... Great job BBC. Why don't you sell the contract to someone who will do it justice. I expect Matt, Suzi, Chalie and Steve are p***ed at the p*** poor job the BBC are doing with a sport they love.

I always seem to end up having a personal battle with Techno (Gary) in this.... every year we're scrapping around the same area with only a few points between us. I tip my cap to you good sir, you have the beating of me at the moment. BTW I don't think I'll be winning the Yamaha this year. We should sort a prize out for the winner of TMBF league. (btw this is just an idea I know there is a credit crunch and some people may not want to.... but) There are 40 entrants in the league so if we all put in £10 then that £400 to the winner... could be a new crash helmet or set of leathers, or maybe £5 and the winner takes £200.

I love the smell of the racing oil the bikes use... I could stand there and breath that in all day. You get it at Road racing events too but it seems more potent at Speedway. Probably not good to breathe it in.... I might brain my damage. Great racing though.... hopefully more of the same tonight in Poland.

QB, don't worry I'm not trying to stir up a 'BBC should lose the coverage' debate, far from it, I think the BBC should have MotoGP on TV because it does help more people watch the sport and it is good for people who don't have Eurosport. The only thing I have a problem with is the BBC getting exclusive rights, you can believe all the bulls*** they print but you know when they paid all that money they wanted exclusive rights, which has pissed on the fire a bit. If the BBC done a proper job with the coverage I would have no issue, but if you sign a contract and then put out a show like last night, that's not on.... would it happen in formula 1? would we suddenly cut to the parade lap at Indy? No It's like Real Madrid buying Ronaldo and then saying "sit on the bench mate we're gonna play Kaka for the first 80 minutes, you can come on for the last 10." The fans feel cheated. Utilise our TV money wisely and put it on BBC 3 and then put a proper warm up/post race show on like you do for formula 1. BTW we love ya Queen B

Just found this http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2009/01/it_always_feels_like_a.html and had a read... very poor at best, I think someone should get a job at the government dodging questions in this manner. The inability to record via the red button is a Sky box issue rather than a specifically BBC one Well ok what about using BBC three or BBC four if you don't want to put it on the mainstream. Under the terms of the licence we can't turn BBC Three or Four into a sports channel although we can use them occasionally and they are unavailable during the day as the bandwidth is used by CBeebies and CBBC. and incase you were wondering about viewing figures. To give the situation some context our coverage attracts average audiences of 1.1 million with an approval rating that has been the highest for any terrestrial programme in a given week. so basically I think what they are saying here is..... Thanks for all your feedback but

Sorry this isn't intended to be a message bashing the people who work on the BBC's MotoGP programme like Perry/Cox/Parrish/etc... because I know if it was down to them the broadcast put out would be very different, but I need to get it off my chest that the BBC is destroying MotoGP in the UK. I know this has been a back and forth arguement time and time again and the general concensus is that the BBC is taking MotoGP to a wider audience, but my point is that quite frankly they couldn't give two s***'s about it. Eurosport don't have a license to broadcast the MotoGP race live so clearly the BBC bumped the MotoGP schedule tonight and recorded it. This coupled with the fact that the BBC's programme was a 1 hr show when Eurosport provided and 1hr and 30 mins, I just find it crazy. When Wimbledon runs over the BBC bump everything the news, Eastenders, whatever it takes and I'm sure the same would be done for Formula 1, but MotoGP is different. Terrific. This I still don't have a majorly big problem with, I knew this would be the case and they may claim that viewing figures for Wimbledon would justify the decision. However, my issue with the BBC is that if you are going to treat the coverage like this and basically treat it like Top Gear which also gets bumped everytime a sporting event is on, then don't bid for the exclusive rights and p*** everyone off. Not only do we get short none existant or red button coverage (125cc/250cc) we also can't view it on an alternative channel because you've been greedy. Maybe the people at the Beeb should remember who helps fund them ... rant over... sorry