From the rumors that World Superbike’s Max Neukirchner would be heading to MotoGP and ride a Pramac Ducati with the latest item coming out of Sepang is that not only Neurkirchner will not be in MotoGP, but the Italian team run by Paolo Campinoti will be fielding only one rider next season.
The one rider should be MotoGP veteran Loris Capirossi – even if there hasn’t been any official announcement, but Capirossi’s manager, Carlo Pernat insisting that that the contract has been signed, which would leave out in the cold, rookie Aleix Espargaro and underperforming Mika Kallio, with both riders expected to be heading in Moto2, with Kallio linked to Ajo Motorsport and Espargaro to be fielded in all Spanish team with his brother Pol.
With the continuing rumors (publically confirmed by Francis Batta of Alstare Suzuki) that Suzuki will also field only one bike in MotoGP next season and that Interwetten Honda will be pulling out completely from the 2011 championship due to budget and sponsorship problems, could mean only 15 bikes on the grid next year, and the FIM will no longer be able to close their eyes and could legally pretend that Dorna return to the 18 rider minimum grid that is required or MotoGP lose their world championship status.