Rossi gives Yamaha Lorenzo ultimatum
Nine-time World Champion could be off to Ducati from 2012
Rossi: He goes or I go
NEWLY-CROWNED MotoGP World champion Valentino Rossi issued a warning to his current employers, Yamaha, that he will leave for Ducati in 2011 if they continue to keep his arch rival Jorge Lorenzo in the squad.
Rossi, who won his ninth world crown this year, spoke to BBC News following the last race of the 2009 season at Valencia, Spain.
"Yamaha have to decide between me and Jorge for 2011," said Rossi. "I have a great option to join Ducati."
Lorenzo has proved stiff competition for the flambouyant 2009 World Champion; it seems the Italian is now looking to feather his nest from 2010 onwards, when his Yamaha MotoGP contract comes to an end.
"I am not sure 100% if I will stay with Yamaha," said Rossi. "It depends on what happens next year. It depends on my performance and the fight with Jorge Lorenzo and the decision of Yamaha for 2011.
"I could change bike, ride for Ducati and try to win the world championship with an Italian bike. That would be a great motivation.
"But I prefer at this moment to stay with Yamaha because the love between me and Yamaha, our relationship, is something special.
"To change bike would feel unfaithful. So for Yamaha it is important that I finish my career with them and for me it is also important. "
Mmm. Is Rossi really that concerned about his arch rival? Moreover, would he be able to master the Desmosedici?
We'd certainly like to see him try.
Discuss this story
Think he is setting up Jorge's bike to be fair though so can see why he has told them Bit like Doohan and Criville. Criville was fast because of Doohan
Posted: 09/11/2009 15:56
I reckon if Rossi goes to Ducati , Casey will be off to Honda, to be with his mate supo, Watch out Dani, & Dovi the presssure is on you or jorge will just go to honda now that cuold happen sooner than we think!!!! especially now Yamaha have a certain mr spies on the horizan!!! thoughs guys?
Posted: 09/11/2009 17:19
It's all mind games, to winfd up George and Stoner through the close season by threatening both of their rides and saying that both Yamaha and Ducati still rate him higher than either of them. I think he's getting a little nervous, as they both pushed him hard this year and without Stoner's hiatus and Pedrosa being injured be might have been hard pressed to retain his title. Remember that Rossi used to toy with his challengers then overtake them and pulverise them with 3 or 4 quick laps and build a 10 second lead. He's been on the limit a lot this year and still had to settle for second place too often for his liking.
Posted: 09/11/2009 20:26
Things in MotoGP just get more interesting by the minute... It is obvious why Yamaha pushed up Spies move to the satellite team to 2010... Get his year done and his "education" taken care off... Ok... so in 2011 yamaha has Rossi, Lorenzo and Spies all good for factory seats... Who's the odd man out?? Does Yamaha tell Rossi "thanks...but we're going with the young guys"??? Is all the ranting by Rossi just mindgames with Yamaha and Lorenzo? Or is he setting up the split at the end of the '010 now that the team manager at Ducati has change to more of his liking?? Stoner and Rossi together at Ducati??? You've got to be kidding... right?? MAN! 2010 is going to be GREAT!! Superior racing and a soap opera all rolled into one big show!! I can't wait!! =
Posted: 09/11/2009 21:28
Things in MotoGP just get more interesting by the minute... It is obvious why Yamaha pushed up Spies move to the satellite team to 2010... Get his year done and his "education" taken care of... Ok... so in 2011 yamaha has Rossi, Lorenzo and Spies all good for factory seats... Who's the odd man out?? Does Yamaha tell Rossi "thanks...but we're going with the young guys"??? Is all the ranting by Rossi just mindgames with Yamaha and Lorenzo? Or is he setting up the split at the end of the '010 now that the team manager at Ducati has change to more of his liking?? Stoner and Rossi together at Ducati??? You've got to be kidding... right?? MAN! 2010 is going to be GREAT!! Superior racing and a soap opera all rolled into one big show!! I can't wait!! =
Posted: 09/11/2009 21:29
Rossi can be such a to$$er at times..... R1 loon is spot on, its nothing but mind games from Rossi in the build up to next year, but I think it also shows that he sees Jorge as a threat.
Posted: 09/11/2009 22:26
I'm going with R1Loon on this one - it's about right. Althought I'd love to see a 2011 With Rossi/Stoner @ Ducati; Pedboy/who cares @ Honda; and Lorenzo/Spies @ Yamaha. Just won't happen. Though if Rossi did ever move, it'll be at the dusk of his career... tough change that.
Posted: 10/11/2009 00:52
he is doing nothing that usually goes on behind the scenes anyhow. he has many motivations for this, none least MONEY only time will tell, we can all speculate, but i know who i'd rather have in my team
Posted: 10/11/2009 11:13
I bet the deal has already been done, Rossi to Ducati for 2011. It's the logical conclusion to an exceptional motorcycle racing career. Everything at every stage of his career from Cagiva Mitos to 9 world championships has been thought out and planned in minute detail and usually executed to a consistently very above average level. Yamaha would be better off letting Rossi go on to establish himself completely as the GOAT elsewhere even if they lose the next 3 championships to him. They could then concentrate their focus on Lorenzo & Spies whilst looking at maybe Simoncelli and hopefully one of the British riders to start the next decade as they will have finished this one. Last time I looked Yamaha were bigger than Valentino Rossi and not quite as big as Honda and they will live on. From Rossi's point of view I think the Desmosedici would provide all the stimulus he needs to get up every morning to break the remaining records and finalise all the ones he's already created, especially if it has Casey Stoner's rapidly disappearing arse on it. I think Stoner will be the man in 2010 and I don't reckon Valentino Rossi would leave MotoGP as anything less than champion, if Stoner wins then the choices will be a: quit b: stay and try to regain title with Yamaha c: stay and try to regain the title with another manufacturer. He won't quit at the end of 2010 ( not unless something spectacular happens ), he's already regained the title for Yamaha ( in 2008 ) and regardless of what he might say about his relationship with them he'll go where the speed is if he wants a MotoGP trilogy, so, this leaves c:, it won't be Honda & probably not Suzuki so that leaves....
Posted: 13/11/2009 16:35
 Yamaha will dump Lorenzo for sure. If Rossi leaves Yamaha Lorenzo has to set up his bike from zip.
And c'mon, be honnest, if you have to choose between a 9 (10 next year ) world champion or an arrogant little guy who thinks he is the topman? I mean, the guy wants to earn as much or more than Rossi, YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT IDIOT, YOU JUST DON'T GET IT LIKE THAT ?!!
I'd go for Rossi... Stoner might be strong, but Rossi is always a step ahead, the bike is working awsome and not to forget that he is highly motivated to beat his teammate. Rossi for the 2010 title !!!!
Posted: 14/12/2009 14:41
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