Not very long ago most MotoGP riders used to have two year contracts.
The first year was usually an apprenticeship, getting used to the bike, the team structure and once in awhile on some special Sunday, and the stars were aligned properly, and in a state of grace, or some big name was having problems, one could even get a well deserved podium.
Now everything has changed.
Riders are expensive, there’s no more time for learning curves, they’ve got to jump on that MotoGP bike and go all out, teams want results immediately, top ten or better yet, top five is and has to be the goal.
Only top riders are now getting two year contracts because they are courted directly by the teams who want to win them away from the competition.
One year contracts are the norm and some may have an option for a second depending on season results or his ability to develop the bikes and/or tires, before the introduction of the single tire rule.
One of these riders is the Colin Edwards.
The Texas Tornado’s one year contract is up for renewal and there has been big speculation that Ben Spies or Marco Simoncelli, who many in Italy are already saying that Valentino Rossi has designated as his successor in Fiat Yamaha when he retires, could be taking Edwards or James Toseland’s place in Yamaha Tech 3 in 2010.
According to Colin Edwards Unofficial Fan Forum, Colin’s dad posted that his son is already thinking about moving back to WSBK’s and has already contacted Ducati and Aprilia.
Edwards didn’t cut his bridges with Aprilia, even after the RS3 Cube and according to GPOne website, the Texan and Gigi Dall’Igna, Aprilia’s Chief Technical Director have been exchanging messages, infact he’s quoted as saying “Colin did a good job when he was with us, if the results didn’t arrive it wasn’t his fault.
” Can you see Edwards as Max Biaggi’s team mate? Biaggi has a two year contract with Aprilia and is already negotiating for a third and last winter Biaggi during an interview while discussing MotoGP said that Edwards is only riding for money.
Ouch!