MOLE: 2017? ALL CHANGE PLEASE!
So Jorge Lorenzo has taken the plunge and will indeed be a Ducati rider next season. Good on him, says me, I really think it’s the correct decision for him and the series. Will it spark a raft of wholesale changes? That would be great, but really I doubt it as for the majority of riders it’s usually a case of better-the-devil-you-know. While the devil in me would happily hand over my grandchildren to see Marc Marquez in the same garage as Valentino Rossi, just for kicks, I doubt something like that will ever happen. Honda would be insane to let Marquez go, its best bet is to tie him down tight with an amazing deal. The same would go for Dani Pedrosa, I’d venture, as he is probably the most proficient number two rider I’ve ever come across. He can win and get on the podium, but knows his place and never complains. I can’t see how a drastic change would suit Dani, or Honda for that matter. All eyes are on young Maverick Vinales, who despite not actually doing anything of great note on the blue Suzuki, is touted as the future champion in waiting by all and sundry. This is why Yamaha will be going all out to secure his services and, after all, it’ll need a Spaniard in there somewhere to appease their Spanish sponsors. I also doubt Dorna would enjoy settling for no Spanish influence in a major team either, but that’s a heated conversation for another day.