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Third Kawi Next Year--Toni Elias???

Okay...didn't see **this** coming!!!!

Toni Elias in frame for third Kawasaki

MotoGP

20 August 2008 10:01

Brno MotoGP runner-up Toni Elias is being hotly-tipped to ride a third factory Kawsaki in next year’s MotoGP world championship.

A deal between Kawasaki and Spanish team owner Jorge Martinez is close to being finalised with current Alice Ducati rider Elias a leading contender.

Kawasaki and Dorna held meetings in Brno to confirm plans to roll out a third ZX-RR next season, with John Hopkins being joined Marco Melandri in the official factory team, as was exclusively revealed by MCN yesterday.

Martinez’s current 250GP title contender Alvaro Bautista was linked with the ride, but he is understood to want to remain in 250s for one more year before moving to the premier class in 2010.

Martinez though is expected to still want to run a Spanish rider, and Elias’s stunning second in Brno last weekend seems unlikely to save him from the axe at Ducati.

Elias though has categorically denied wanting a move to World Superbikes with Yamaha or Ducati.

The third ZX-RR will still be run under the umbrella of Kawasaki’s factory team, according to team boss Michael Bartholemy, but Aussie Anthony West has no chance of retaining his seat having been told by management in Brno that his contract will not be renewed.

Kawasaki though is looking at offering West a ride in either its World Superbike or World Supersport teams.

Created By:

LisaB

on 08.20.08 | 4:08

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Pinus said

Yeah Chris, I'm pretty sure I didn't see you at all, I was actually on the lookout for you and other Hopper forum members, I didn't really know what you looked like but I figured I'd recognize you if I saw you!!

posted on 08.29.08 | 10:50 AM

MeansGo said

If I woulda seen anyone else in it, I'da said something! I had on my shirt, then got the hat after I heard the Kawi tent had 'em for sale.

We all missed you Linda!!!

posted on 08.28.08 | 10:36 PM

Linda (Mama Hopper) said

I kinda missed not going to Laguna really. It was nice to have some time to myself though but by saturday night I was going nuts!!!!
Not used to being alone.....haha. I did miss seeing you Michael.

posted on 08.28.08 | 8:19 PM

Pinus said

I thought you guys would recognize me and my buddy decked out in Hopper gear all weekend!! We went and bought some of the Hopper hats from the Kawi booth first morning we were there and sported them all weekend.

posted on 08.27.08 | 2:53 PM

MeansGo said

Pinus, you were at Laguna and didn't let us know!?!

posted on 08.26.08 | 10:56 PM

Pinus said

HI Linda, I'm doing good, missed you at Laguna this year =( It just wasn't the same without John racing, and also without the whole family hanging out...it is good to see him back in the saddle now!

BTW guys, I think I'm feeling a podium coming on this weekend for #21

posted on 08.26.08 | 2:48 PM

geeke said

this is the greatest part of the year, silly season, with all the rumours and seat swppping going on.. it's like a tv soap serie. lol!
anyway, about the elias part: i don't think he would be a great asset to the team because i don't think he can give the team lots of input to work with to develope or set the bike up. another rumour that i read somewhere was that "if" kawi would bring a third bike and "if" suzuki would let vermeulen go, that chris would like that third seat. sounds lot's better than the elias rumour isn't it? the problem is the two "if"s in that rumour.
the other thing that still puzzles me is the martinez-rumour.
would he be in charge of the "maybe" third bike or would he be running one or two aditional bike(s) of the two or three factory kawi's? (like the duc's and the honda's?)
all this speculation.. isn't it great? hahaha!
greetz to y'all from over here in europe.. ciao!

posted on 08.22.08 | 10:58 PM

Linda (Mama Hopper) said

I could manage a team quite well.
But I would be biased.....haha

posted on 08.22.08 | 6:59 PM

MeansGo said

Possssssibly! :) Gonna go check one out in a few hours!

posted on 08.22.08 | 10:52 AM

LisaB said

Thanks, Linda. :)

Chris, are you saying we are unqualified to run a GP team...wow I'm insulted! LOL Any luck on the truck?

posted on 08.22.08 | 3:47 AM

MeansGo said

I'll give you that Kepka. I'm with Lisa, but at the same time, there's a reason we're not in charge of a multi-million dollar race team! :)

posted on 08.22.08 | 12:19 AM

Kepka said

At least Kawasaki is showing that they are taking the gp's seriously. Good signs.

posted on 08.21.08 | 9:57 PM

Linda (Mama Hopper) said

Lisa, your opinion does matter on here, as does everyone else's.
Hey Michael, how are you?

posted on 08.21.08 | 8:36 PM

Pinus said

Sorry Westy, but it was plain to see at Laguna that he was not confident at all and a bit lost- hopefully Brno wasn't just a fluke and he has his head back on straight, although seeing Olivier lap faster in the test afterwards doesn't look too good...

posted on 08.21.08 | 5:06 PM

Pinus said

Feedback from Elias will not transfer over to John or Marco, as his set-up is completely different from any other rider. Don't know how much it would help John really at all, other than having someone else on a green bike that isn't scared of the thing and might actually be within two seconds of John's times...

posted on 08.21.08 | 5:03 PM

LisaB said

Not that my opinion matters in these things but I really do not like Toni (though I don't know him personally) and hope this is only a rumor! He might be a very nice kid but I am not a fan. :) I would rather see Kawi sign someone like Dovi or De Angelis--John has the ability to give great feedback toward bike development and has unlimited potential and skill, and Marco has a few more years experience. To round that out, they need a young gun. Just my opinion.... :)

posted on 08.21.08 | 3:41 PM

Kepka said

I think, just having that third bike would be a big help. Toni wouldnt have been on the top of my list but any extra information is going to be a plus.

posted on 08.21.08 | 3:14 PM

Alex said

I love Toni's style but I don't see him helping much

posted on 08.21.08 | 6:39 AM