RUMOURS are circulating that Toni Elias may be in trouble of losing his ride at LCR Honda and has been given the next three rounds as a chance to improve his performance..
Finishing in 15th and last at the team's home race at Mugello appears to be the final straw for Elias, as the Moto2 champion best finish so far this season was an eighth in the wet at Silverstone - a race that saw only 12 of 17 riders finish. An ultimatum was given for Toni to improve for Laguna Seca but the last-minute sidelining of Toni for the post-race test at Mugello lead to gossip that his contract was terminated immediately.
However, team boss Lucio Cecchinello has given Elias a second chance to prove his place on the Honda RC212V and to demonstrate progress in Sachsenring, Laguna Seca and Brno.
Elias has been a disappointment and a tension has grown within the garage between the team and rider, along with the him being unable to build a connection with crew chief, Christophe Bourguignon.
The performance of Elias has had a negative aftershock on the sponsorship of the Cecchinello's team, the team is funded by sponsors on race-by-race basis - so far this season Playboy, Effenbert, Givi and Elf have bought advertising space on the fairings of the RC212V.
No riders have been speculated for the vacated seat on the Honda - John Hopkins is one name that may be suggested, the American was reported to have been contacted by LCR Honda to take up the second bike to inspire the Spaniard.
