As with most sports, MotoGP is pretty susceptible to rumours - never more so than in the off season, when teams, riders and even the sport itself make changes ready for the year ahead. In the first of what might become a regular feature, we look at some of the more interesting bits of gossip from the pitlane.
Trouble Ahead for Fortuna Honda?
Altadis, owner of Fortuna cigarettes and main sponsor of the Fortuna Gresini team, have been having some problems of late. Tax hikes in Spain on tobacco sales have hit the company in its wallet and they are planning to cut hundreds of jobs and sell property in Spain and France. With the company operating on a tighter budget, some are suggesting that their sponsorship of the Gresini team could be decreased. As Fausto Gresini's team are not factory supported, could Toni Elias lose his ride in a switch to a 1 bike team? Altadis say their sponsorship of the team will not be effected, which is either damage limitation or the truth. Time Running Out for Ellison?
The Brit ex-WCM rider has not yet found his pace on the Tech3 Yamaha M1 during the winter tests, and teammate Carlos Checa's impressive performance has only drawn further attention to the fact. Ellison has had trouble adapting his superbike-esque riding style to the more powerful bike and there are already rumours that if he doesn't improve in the first couple of races of the season, he could be out of a job. Initially McWilliams was rumoured as a replacement, but now Davide Checa, Carlos' brother, has cropped up as a possibility. Could we be looking at an all-Checa lineup for the Tech3 team in the not too distant future? Dorna planning calender shakeup in 2007?
Although we have very little info on this as yet, it is rumoured that Dorna are considering some big changes to the 2007 calender, possibly resulting in the China, Qatar and French rounds falling off the bill. If there is any truth to this then 2006 may be the end of MotoGP as we know it to an even greater extent, when combined with the introduction of 800cc engines and the ban on tobacco sponsorship. Would you like to see more on these and other rumours in the coming weeks and months? Let us know in the comments or by emailing us directly.
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