World Superbikes 2013 silly season is a little less intense than that of MotoGP, but it’s just as fascinating as rumors and speculation are just now starting to fly.
Max Biaggi who just turned 41, seems to have no intention of retiring in the near future and fodder his retirement nest egg is asking a rumored 2 to 2.
5 million euros.
Aprilia as expected (racing budgets and finding sponsors gets more difficult every year) isn’t that happy and has postponed any final decision until September.
The Italian manufacturer has already found itself in this prickly bargaining position with the Roman Emperor -in 1996 after winning the 250cc title for the third time – he wanted a pay increase that was turned down and he left to go to Honda and win another title.
Ducati could be an option for the Italian but his relations with the Bologna manufacturer were less than idyllic after they shuffled him off to the Sterilgarda satellite team instead of giving him a factory ride that went to Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio.
Kawasaki could be another option, but they don’t the money that Biaggi wants.
Carlos Checa after testing the Ducati 1199 Panigale at Misano during the WDW, didn’t seem so happy with the new machine and this has convinced the reigning World Champion, who is suffering this season with a much heavier bike which is at the end of its development and a season wrought with errors, and not getting any younger, has decided to take a look around the paddock for better pickings.
According to Italian website gpone.
com Checa and his manager Alberto Vergani (who is also Melandri’s manager) were seen chatting up Kawasaki’s Ichiro Yoda and many don’t think they were talking about the weather.
Rumors that BMW (to replace Leon Haslam) and BMW Italia were interested in him but they were immediately shot down, but denials are a big part of silly season.
And what about Ducati? Could we see a return of Colin Edwards in 2013?.
The American is at the end of his tether riding a Suter/BMW and getting beat by the ARTs.
Ducati and Edwards were negotiating before they officially pulled out their factory team.
Nicky Hayden could end up in WSBK’s as his option with Ducati hasn’t been renewed and he’s waiting around to see what Valentino Rossi is going to do and what Audi wants and he’s said that he hasn’t received any MotoGP offers, but we’ve heard some wild talk of a return to the AMA.