MERRY GO ROUND – HO!
Oh yes, while MotoGP gets sorted earlier every year, with other series there are always places up for grabs. Although, many of those are now being filled up too. In BSB, Josh Brookes is stated to be moving to the McAMS Yamaha team, with James Ellison moving in the other direction to the Anvil bunch. Given how often they outpaced the officially backed McAMS lot, this swap makes things fairly interesting.
Michael Laverty, after a naff season next to Ellison on the other Yamaha, has already penned a deal with Tyco BMW so will race next to Christian Iddon who starts his third year with the team. This leaves the second McAMS seat up for grabs, with current word on the street being that young Taz Mackenzie is set to make his return to the BSB paddock to partner Brookes, following a pretty tough year in Moto2.
We fully expect Bradley Ray to remain with Suzuki, while Taylor Mackenzie’s future with the manufacturer is yet to be known. Did you see the picture of Sylvain Guintoli wearing his Kawasaki leathers prior to his race at Jerez? We haven’t seen him smile that much all year, and after doing some good work in Spain it’s likely he’ll be back in WSB once again. Let’s face it, with the issues Suzuki had, and despite his Assen win, did it ever look like he wanted to stay? It may be too soon for him to settle in BSB, at the very least for another season. That leaves a big seat to fill and, again, no word who it will be as yet though Richard Cooper has been mooted.
Over in WSB, Leon Camier will be riding a Red Bull Honda, but who with is another question as it’s not certain to be Stefan Bradl, even though he took the winged sponsorship there! Jake Gagne from the US of A is also in with a shout, and Dorna would love a Yank in the series. Plus, while they wait to see if Ben Spies fancies another go, Gagne could be the ticket. Loris Baz has apparently touched base with Camier’s MV Agusta team and they also want to run two riders; Lorenzo Savadori is apparently a target should he not stay with SMR Aprilia, which leaves another tasty seat free. We do love this time of year – where will all those pieces finally fall?!