MVDM to leave Honda WSBK and be replaced by Stefan Bradl next year. What are your thoughts on that? I really like MVDM and think he's a top racer. I can't work out if he left Honda or if Honda let him go. Either way I don't see the logic. If Honda let him go - why? then why replace him with Stefan Bradl? Bradl's not really made any massive waves in MotoGP. If he left Honda - why do it now with the new Honda coming next year? and why move to PATA Yamaha? Is he looking to get to MotoGP via the Yamaha route/?
Yep, moto GP route, he can test moto GP in 2017 His contract is ending this year Best kept secret in Holland last months that he is leaving for Yamaha. At the Dutch TT Michael spent some time in the Yamaha hospitality unit and the big man from Pata ( former Honda SBK sponsor ) likes Michael very much, also Michael's manager always has very good contacts with Yamaha. It is a pity that a dutch blade rider from a dutch team is leaving for Yamaha but its the best decisison, he really want to go Moto GP. Bradl is a experienced rider so Ten Kate has 2 experienced riders next year what could be a good thing developing the new blade, if a new blade is coming ??? or is it an upgrade ??? Anyone saw todays race in Germany and Michael's crash ?? and finishing the race on the damaged Blade ??
How he got that Blade across the line in 8th was amazing! It was battered! Just goes to show the skill he's got.
I reckon the plan is for Honda to try and sell the new Fireblade to the Germans, by getting a German rider on it. No point in putting a German rider on the old one that was struggling to keep up - that is not going to convince anyone to move from their SRR. But put Stefan Bradl on a new winning bike, and Honda might be able to wean the Germans off their Beemers.
But if Honda want to increase sales in Germany, against the S1000RR, then best to put a German rider on it. A winning Honda on its own may not be enough to get Germans to change from their SRR's to a Fireblade - but a winning Honda, with a German rider on it, may stand a better chance of increasing sales for Honda. I think it is a clever move. And plans take time to come together.
I think you'll find its Van der Mark leaving Honda not the other way round. Probably the worst kept secret in the paddock, the rumours have been around for months.
