MotoGP Riders' Market Takes Shape

One by one all the pieces of the MotoGP riders’ market are falling into place, with each of the factory teams beginning to release information on who they have signed (or in the case of Ducati, who they haven't).

Most recently, it was Honda’s turn to make an announcement with the renewal of Dani Pedrosa’s contract for an additional two years. After having been tempted by KTM, Yamaha, and recently Suzuki, the 30-year-old Spaniard preferred to remain with Honda, the manufacturer he’s ridden for his entire career, beginning with his 2001 Grand Prix debut in the 125cc class. After one title in 125cc, and two crowns in 250cc, Pedrosa entered MotoGP with the Repsol Honda Team in 2006, and has finished title runner-up on three occasions (2007, 2010, and 2012) and third three times (2008, 2009, 2013). He has achieved more podium finishes for the Honda factory than any other rider, with a total of 142 (101 in the premiere class), including 51 victories, just three fewer than Mick Doohan’s Honda record.

“I’m very grateful to Honda for the trust they have shown in renewing with me for an additional two years,” commented Pedrosa. “I think it’s best for me to continue with the company I was with at my very first race. I’m happy that the negotiations have been quick, and now I can just focus on racing. I want to give 100-percent this weekend at the Italian GP.”

Pedrosa's experience will be very important for continuing the development of the Honda, because he’s not only a fast rider but also a great development asset for the Japanese engineers. Pedrosa will once again team up with Marc Marquez. The signature of the two-time MotoGP world champion is still not on a contract, but the renewal is a given considering that Honda doesn’t want to lose its prodigy, and besides, Marquez really has no other place to go.

After Honda’s move and just before its home GP at Mugello, Ducati announced its second rider with the confirmation of Andrea Dovizioso. The choice between the two Andreas (Iannone and Dovizioso) was not easy as they are two strong riders, but in the end logic prevailed.

The “sliding door” in Iannone’s future has probably been due to the incident in Argentina where with just two corners to the finish line a sure double podium turned into a double DNF. The choice to opt for Andrea Dovizioso is logical considering the work he’s done to develop the Desmosedici since he joined Ducati in 2013. He has always been a critical cog in the development process and in the last months he showed to be able to manage a lot of diversity with class.

“I am very satisfied to have reached this agreement with Ducati and to be able to continue the adventure begun back with them in 2013,” said Dovizioso. “In the last few years we have worked with a lot of commitment and we have succeeded in taking the Desmosedici GP to an excellent competitive level, and so I am convinced that soon we will obtain the satisfaction that we deserve.”

“It’s never easy to take a decision like this one, especially when you have two great riders like the two Andreas in your team,” commented Ducati team manager Gigi Dall’Igna. “We are very happy that Dovizioso has agreed to stay with us for the next two years, and together with him we can continue the successful work we began four years ago in order to reach the ambitious aims we have set for ourselves.”

The final look of the puzzle will come into focus in the next few days, starting with Movistar Yamaha, who has secured the services of Maverick Viñales for the next two seasons.

All that being said, here is a look at the situation of the factory teams:

Marquez and Pedrosa at Honda
Honda has never hidden the desire to continue with the current lineup: Marquez, who has already gained two world titles with Honda and Dani Pedrosa who is fast and very useful for the development of the bike. Now that the renewal with Pedrosa is official only Marquez's signature is missing.

Rossi and Viñales at Yamaha
The 21-year-old Spaniard Maverick Viñales will team up with Valentino Rossi for the next two seasons. With the arrival of the Spaniard, the sponsor Movistar is happy and—at the same time—Yamaha secures its medium- and long-term future lining up the nine-time world champion and icon of MotoGP Valentino Rossi, and the young prodigy and revelation of the 2016 season, Viñales, who can grow with them. The announcement is expected on Thursday at the the Italian GP press conference at Mugello.

Lorenzo and Dovizioso at Ducati
Having signed the reigning MotoGP world champion, Ducati has opted to resign Andrea Dovizioso. It's a logical choice considered the work done by Dovizioso to develop the Desmosedici since he joined Ducati in 2013. He has been key in development and in the last months has showed to be resilient considering all he's been through so far this season. He is a fast and consistent rider who always takes the best possible result.

Iannone or Rins and Espargaro at Suzuki
Suzuki Team Manager Davide Brivio flew to Japan immediately after Le Mans to discuss an eventual Plan B to replace Viñales with Suzuki's top brass. The first candidate is Andrea Iannone but Brivio has never hidden his interest for Alex Rins, the most promising talent in the Moto2 class. What about Aleix Espargaro? After a difficult start he has put up stronger performances in the last three races and it seems unlikely that Suzuki will replace both riders; losing Espargaro who already has experience with the bike doesn't make sense. A logical choice would be to secure a fast and talented rider like Iannone and pair him with Rins or Espargaro.

Lowes and Bautista or Bradl at Aprilia
Sam Lowes already has a contract to ride an Aprilia MotoGP next year. He may ride the second bike of Bautista or Bradl but the Aprilia Racing boss Romano Albesiano doesn't exclude a third bike. "At the moment we don't know how many Aprilias will be lined up in 2017, but it's likely that there will be more than two," he said. "So we will consider also the potential of our current riders Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl. We signed with Sam Lowes already last year because he suits perfectly our project. He has proved to be a fast rider but we also like his personality, his enthusiasm and the energy he puts into racing. Sam is a friendly guy, authentic, and sincere."

Smith and ??? at KTM
The announcement of Bradley Smith joining KTM arrived before the opening round in Qatar, but for its second rider KTM is evaluating the MotoGP lineups, but also some young talents. Alex Rins could be an option but Pit Beirer, KTM Sports Director, doesn't want to open the door to speculations. "Now the market is really crazy and we are involved in all the discussions," he said. "We don't look for a rider who can be world champion next year as we are not ready to be world champion next year, so with Bradley finishing 6th last year, he was one of the most logical choices for us. He is still very young (26 years old), he is consistent and can still improve. It's important to start to make a base for the future of our career and we hope he can grow with us. For the second rider we are still evaluating, maybe an experienced rider or another young rider who can grow with the team. Even if we had the money and the budget there is no intention to hire a top rider like Lorenzo or Marquez. Of course it would be a dream but it's not realistic and not helpful, not for the rider and not for the team. We must get our home in order first, arrive at the best level and then choose the best rider for the future."