Italy and Spain should have an special app just to let fans follow all the 2013 silly season rumors regarding Valentino Rossi.
After the rumors of a private Yamaha team sponsored by Coca Cola, a Yamaha factory ride funded by Marlboro (which has been denied), HRC’s Shuhei Nakamoto apparently offering the Italian a factory machine, but in a satellite squad, this latest rumor has Ben Spies booted out of Yamaha with Rossi returning (apparently the announcement is to be made at Laguna Seca – which we seriously doubt because that is Spies’ home race) with mega sponsor Monster Energy to back the team and the number bandied around is massive, 20 million euros.
Monster Energy wants the waning, but media capturing Rossi to become their main testimonial in an attempt to increase their presence in the European energy drink market and to try to beat rival Red Bull on their own turf and this type of coup could help their media returns.
Yamaha is still without a title sponsor and the arrival of Rossi–Monster Energy could help fill their coffers, so they are now buying time with a slightly pissed off Andrea Dovizioso (who is also looking towards World Superbikes, which we told you about on Sunday) and an unlucky Ben Spies.
Cal Crutchlow has already been dropped from Iwata’s shortlist, but he still has an offer to stay with Tech3 and he has offered his services to Ducati, but everyone is anxiously waiting to see what Rossi will do.
The Italian has formally received his offer from Ducati and Audi and now will have to decide his future and time is running out.