While there are still some “non-factory” rides open for 2014, the majority of the seats have been settled, so we thought it was timely – before the 2013 season ends next weekend in Valencia, Spain – to run over what’s known for next season.
First, the official factory rides:
Yamaha – retains Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Valentino Rossi (Italy), both contracted to the end of 2014. (Interestingly, Rossi and his legendary crew chief, Jeremy Burgess, have just parted ways).
Honda – retains Dani Pedrosa Spain) and Marc Marquez (Spain), both contracted to the end of 2014.
Ducati – retains Andrea Dovizioso Italy) and adds Cal Crutchlow (U.K.), Dovi to the end of 2014 and Crutchlow the end of 2015.
Next, the satellite teams:
Tech 3 / Monster Yamaha – retains Bradley Smith (U.K.) and adds Pol Espargaro (Spain), 2013 Moto 2 champion. Smith is signed to the end of 2014, Espargaro to the end of 2015.
Gresini San Carlo Honda – retains Alvaro Bautista (Spain) to the end of 2014 and adds Scott Redding (U.K.) on an “Open” (customer) Honda to the end of 2015.
LCR Honda – retains Stefan Bradl (Germany) to the end of 2014.
Pramac Ducati – retains Andrea “Crazy Joe” Ianonne and adds Yonny Hernandez (Columbia) to replace the injured, now retired, Ben Spies to the end of 2014.
And finally, the “Open” teams (the Open class replaces the CRT category; basically they use the organizer-supplied Magneti Marelli electronics, and get more fuel and more engines than the factory bikes).
Power Electronics Aspar – adds Nicky Hayden (USA) on a customer Honda to the end of 2015, second rider not yet announced. Hiroshi Aoyama seems to have the inside track but it’s not certain.
Cardion AB – retains Karel Abraham (Czech Republic) on a customer Honda to the end 0f 2014.
Forward Racing – retains Colin Edwards (USA) and adds Aleix Espargaro (Spain) on customer Yamahas to the end of 2015.
That still leaves a number of riders and seats to be determined. Randy de Puniet is leaving the Aspar team to reportedly become a full-time test rider with Suzuki for their 2015 return to Moto GP.
Claudio Corti, Hiroshi Ayoyama, Hector Barbera, Danilo Petrucci, Lukas Pesek and Michael Laverty have yet to announce their plans, while the Avintia Blusens, Ioda Racing, and Paul Bird Motorsport teams are still keeping quiet.
One thing is certain – with most of the top riders’ contracts coming up for renewal at the end of next year, it’s going to be an especially fevered “silly season” next summer as talks go on about 2015.
I’d pay good money to see Stoner vs Marquez…
No kidding!
Funny. Thought someone might say that.
For me, Stoner was too mercurial.
Hunt or Hamilton? (sorry about the F1 stuff,
but that is what I REALLY know).
“Hunt or Hamilton?”
Different eras, so I don’t think there’s much to compare. Both were/are great drivers, but it’s difficult to imagine Hunt driving in a modern F1 car with DRS, KERS and the like.
I’d love to see MM93 and CS27 go toe-to-toe. Both have ridden the wheels off of same-era equipment, have similar riding styles and, above all (for me), turn down the electronics to rely more on the right hand to control the bike’s slides. It would be epic to see them nose to tail drifting through turn 3 at Phillip Island. Absolutely epic.
I meant that Casey Moaner was like another Hunt or Hamilton.
(More Hamilton, I should think).
Undoubtedly fast, but just not right in the head.
Marquez is another Senna. Lorenzo is the best (Prost).
After watching Valencia, it’s clear that Lorenzo has been studying at the Marquez School of Aggressive Riding. He really gave it to Pedrosa a few times, nearly punting him off the track entirely.
I agree with Trane on Lorenzo changing his style to be more Marquez, but I think that’s been happening more in the last 4 or 5 races and makes for great viewing. Can’t wait for 2014!
“I think that’s been happening more in the last 4 or 5 races”
Absolutely. Race Direction has been putting a blind eye towards the proceedings, too. A couple of JL’s passes on MM were hard enough to remove armour from Marquez’s gear and leave him with a sore shoulder. Race Direction finally decided that JL was pushing it a bit far with his last bump on Pedrosa and ‘investigated’ the incident after the race.
One thing’s clear: The current crop of Moto2 riders who are in or coming up to MotoGP are all no strangers of the mid-pack wars. Expect a lot more tight passing in 2014. It really should be a great season.
Agreed. I think Moto 2 and Moto 3 are grooming some great racers. Shame that the BBC lost the rights to Moto GP as this year I found Hola Unblocker and so could watch all the races live with a great team of commentators. Since I refuse to buy cable it looks like I’ll miss the 2014 action 🙁
Rob, you really need to pony up for a motogp.com video subscription. It’s WELL worth the price, with on-demand video of every race back to 1992! Cannot be beat, period.
Yep, I think that is the way forward.
” as talks go on about 2015″.
It’s a shame Marco is no longer with us; that would spice up
the seat assignments!
As it is, Marquez and Lorenzo are the belles of The Ball. Sadly,
my fave (Rossi) is a spent force, and Pedrosa is this generation’s
Biaggi.
I think Marquez may be that once in a lifetime talent, and Lorenzo
the most complete rider ever. Think Senna and Prost, with Rossi
as Schumacher. If that makes sense.
On the plus side, we can be certain that, in their primes, we shall
never see Lorenzo and Marquez teamed. That will continue the fun.