Rossi Rumours - Off to Kawasaki for 2009?
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As is usually the case when there is no racing to report, rumours of riders moving to other teams have begun surfacing in European newspapers as the silly season continues. This particular story, reported in racesport.nl (dutch website), claims that Kawasaki are keen on luring Valentino Rossi away from Yamaha at the end of the 2008 season.
Rossi’s contract with Yamaha is due to expire at the end of the 2008 championship and, unless he becomes champion again in 08 (and even then he still may move, Money talks!) it is entirely plausible that “The Doctor” will be shifting teams for the 2009 season.
The rumour, currently making it’s way through the many web forums on the net, is that Kawasaki have offered 72 million Euros to secure Rossi for a 4 year period.
Kawasaki’s Michael Bartholemy has flatly denied that any offer has been made for Valentino Rossi, according to the German motorsport magazine MotorSport Aktuell.
I can see Rossi leaving Yamaha at the end of the 2008 season if things don’t improve for him, however i’m not sure where he will end up. Ideally i would love to see him on a Ducati, but i don’t see it happening.
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January 21st, 2008 at 9:49 am
18 million euros a year! Not sure Kawasaki could pay that without getting a massive sponsor. I’m sure Hopkins is only getting 2.5 million a year?
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 am
Hm, Kawasaki ? If he moves there he may end up his carreer like Ralf Schumacher did his F1 in Toyota - well paid in mediocre team, never winning anything again.
But on the other hand, he made a step back when he moved from Honda to Yamaha and did win a title
If he moves on I hope he lands on Ducati !
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
It would seem he has moved to dispell these rumours by claiming he wants to end his career at Yamaha.
Would be great to see him on a Ducati though
February 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
[...] Nifty(”div#wrapper”, “tl tr normal”); 0+shareRossi to sign for kawasaki in 72 million euro deal?Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki are looking to bring Valentino Rossi over to their MotoGP team [...]
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Kawasaki has a rare “talent” of picking the most inapropriate pilots.
They fired DePuniet and they brought Anthony West in the team = very wrong move.
Instead of finding some talented pilot from 250 class…with a small salary they want Rossi on their team …when it’s CRYSTAL CLEAR that Rossi is at the end of its career.
All other companies brought 250cc champions…this is the RIGHT MOVE.
They should have brought Lorenzo on their team AT ANY COST.
DONT BRING ROSSI , PLEASE!
You’ll spend lots of money FOR NOTHING!
He will not bring the results you’re waiting for so many years.
Please fire the Kawasaki personal manager and bring a very good pilot from 250cc!
Signed
A Die Hard Kawasaki FAN
July 18th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Oh yes! Let it be Ducati! I would cry for years if he decides to end his motorcycling carreer…