Aoyama for Kawasaki MotoGP? (or not)

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 12:13 pm

KTM 250GP star Hiroshi Aoyama is the latest rider to be linked with a Kawasaki MotoGP seat for 2007.

Team Green now looks all but certain to lose star rider Shinya Nakano to Konica Minolta Honda and so is seeking a replacement to ride alongside Randy de Puniet - with class veterans Max Biaggi, Alex Barros and Sete Gibernau all connected to the post.

However, on Thursday at Estoril, Red Bull KTM boss Harald Bartol - who wants to keep Aoyama for a second season - revealed that the double 2006 race winner is in talks with Kawasaki to ride its as-yet-unseen 800cc racer in next year's MotoGP World Championship.

Meanwhile Gibernau - fighting to keep his factory Ducati seat - and Honda rookie Casey Stoner, one of the riders left in contention to replace the Spaniard, both ducked questions about their future plans.

"I suppose we are nearer to a conclusion to the saga of what I'll be doing next season, because we are nearer the end of 2006!" smiled Casey.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:37 pm

stay with honda casey...its ur chance of a title....

the only thing letting him down this yr, is the amount of crashes he's had.

as for such an inexperienced kwaka line up...i dunno... not max tho..maybe barros has a yr left in him??

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:06 pm

I was under the impression Casey had signed with Honda again... MOst likely with LCR but not confirmed.

and i'd rather see Alex Barros on the Green machine than anyone else that's being rumoured... ALways been a Barros fan.

If Sete gets the job, there will be a green 636 going cheap in the For Sale section...

plane · Post by **plane** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:55 am

Harold Eckl has discounted the Aoyama deal stating that Aoyama still has a year on his KTM contract that they won't be breaking.
DePuniet is still the only confirmed rider for Kawasaki at the moment.
Cheers,
Pete

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:16 am

well Max displaced Corser, who then displaced Pitt....wonder what Pitty is doin next year?? least hes got a name we can make jokes abt...

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:24 pm

plane wrote:Harold Eckl has discounted the Aoyama deal stating that Aoyama still has a year on his KTM contract that they won't be breaking.
DePuniet is still the only confirmed rider for Kawasaki at the moment.
Cheers,
Pete

thats funny as Harold wont be there next year himself

redzedx7r · Post by **redzedx7r** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:55 am

with Eckl gone next year it would be sweet justice if Andrew Pitt got the Green GP ride next year he had a good season with the R1 in WSBK and as is usually the case with him he got dumped.
Aoyama is just another dud Japanese rider in the mold of Shinya Nakano fast but inconsistent and no killer instinct for the win (he was gifted the KTM ride in the first place).
Ant West could do worse than ride for Kawasaki (and vice versa), time is fast running out for him in 250's.
Kawasaki also missed out on their chance to grab R.L. Hayden (Nicky's bro) who has done a good job in the AMA's in 3 different classes.

Please Kwaka
No Max, No Sete, No Checa!

mick_dundee · Post by **mick_dundee** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:41 am

Sin't Aoyama when they stick a tube up your butt to flush you out?

Duane · Post by **Duane** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:15 am

Enema....

Benno · Post by **Benno** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:01 am

I think Mick's old enough to get them regularly

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:05 pm

redzedx7r wrote: with Eckl gone next year it would be sweet justice if Andrew Pitt got the Green GP ride next year he had a good season with the R1 in WSBK and as is usually the case with him he got dumped.

Please Kwaka
No Max, No Sete, No Checa!

Pitty had a go abt 3-4 years ago...i dunno if he'd even want another go??

Max has signed for suzuki SBK...Checa has signed for LCR Honda...

Lets hope Gibbersook doesnt get the ride...

kempy · Post by **kempy** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:21 pm

DePuniet had better step up next year!