Behind the scenes is particularly hectic in a MotoGP where the driver transfer market is in full swing. But not only. Yamaha must also designate who will be its next ally, since the companion of 20 years, Tech3 decided, at the end of this season, to try a new adventure with KTM. For the moment, nothing is official on the subject, but certain languages are being loosened to give a clear direction: that of Marc VDS.
First there was the request presented by Michael Bartholemy, the Belgians' field man: a factory motorcycle for Franco Morbidelli. A requirement that we see poorly followed by Honda, while Suzuki still seems far from realizing its intention to rely on a satellite structure. That leaves Yamaha, which must quickly prepare for the succession of Tech3.
And at Yamaha, there is a Valentino Rossi who signed for two more years, while taking care of a VR46 Academy of which the Italian-Brazilian Moto2 World Champion is the spearhead. Which is starting to create a lot of people interested in the same subject oriented in the same way. The Doctor, moreover, drives home the point speedweek to further dispel doubts by stating:
« Franco showed in Qatar that he was a very good pilot. It's not easy to start in MotoGP with a bike that is not easy to ride. He deserves an official bike or at the very least a bike capable of winning. This would be the case if he got behind a Yamaha in 2019. I would like to see him on an M1. But I think he wants it even more than me! »
More or less, one would think we heard Michael Bartholemy… When will the official announcement be made?
