At Yamaha, we seem to like plans B. Among the officials, Lin Jarvis, the boss in the stands, even goes as far as plan C. After all, governing means planning and in a situation where the waltz of contracts is promised for At the end of the year, you shouldn't miss the dance. At Tech3, the belle of the ball could be called Rins. Or Folger.
At least this is what emerges from an interview given by the French boss to the Germans of speedweek. They did not shy away from their pleasure at seeing the name of their compatriot honored Jonas Folger, even with all the usual precautions that we know from the highest representative of Tech3. Because it is true, for example, that the pilot is engaged with an energy drink exactly in competition with the sign with the same purpose which adorns the fairings of the M1 satellites.
But it is necessary to replace Bradley Smith who has already signed with KTM. While hoping to keep Pol Espargaro with a future that is a priori assured, but which is not insensitive to the sirens of a Sito Pons who would see himself taking the last available place on the elite grid... " My ideal scenario would be that we keep Pol for his experience and take a young ". Certainly, but who at this stage would have a Yamaha contract and a Tech3 commitment?
Tech3's reason for existing is to train young people for the Yamaha factory. In theory because with Maverick Vinales in orbit around Iwata, Pol Espargaro there is every chance of finding yourself with your beak in the water. On to the next generation. SO Kidneys ou Folger ? Hervé Poncharal does his shopping: “ Franco Morbidelli is blocked for two years with Marc VDS Moto2. Sam Lowes is out of reach, he already has an Aprilia contract for 2017. Johann zarco is also under contract. I think he will ride with Suzuki ". So yes, there remains Kidneys et Folger. " So far I have not negotiated with any pilot” insists Hervé. “ It is still too early. I have to check with Yamaha first. Yamaha will take the second rider into the factory team. Then we will see “ .
On the other hand, what is certain is that the lucky one will come from Moto2. The case Jack Miller wore : " What HRC did two years ago with Jack Miller was not, in my opinion, complete nonsense. But Jack was not successful. So I say: a Moto3 rider, no chance ". Like none of his own Moto2 riders.