So Aleix Espargaro and Mavrick Vinales are the 2 Confirmed riders for the NEW Factory squad next year
Nice to see how they dropped Randy de Puniet like a hot potato, after all his work as a development rider for them. Think he deserved a shot IMHO. Also surprised they haven't at least one Japanese rider in the squad.
May be there is more to it The announcement confirms that Randy de Puniet will not get a race seat with the team having stepped back from racing to concentrate on Suzuki MotoGP test duties this year. The Frenchman is expected to make a wild-card appearance at November's Valencia finale, though the manufacturer has only confirmed the wild-card appearance so far.
Even more interesting Suzuki’s MotoGP test rider Randy De Puniet is rumoured to be in the frame to join Alex Lowes in the Voltcom World Superbike team in 2015. The Frenchman, who is currently recovering from a big crash at Mugello on Wednesday, first rode a Superbike for Yoshimura Suzuki at the Suzuka Eight-Hours and stood on the podium in his debut alongside Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Waters. It is thought that De Puniet wants to race as well as test ride after didn’t get the full-time gig in MotoGP. Team manager Davide Brivio chose Aleix Espargaro and youngster Maverick Vinales but that has yet to be officially announced. - See more at: De Puniet in frame to join Lowes at Voltcom Suzuki | Bikesport News | BSB, MotoGP News
Agreed, but age dont mean shit. IMO opinion, which also aint worth shit, they may have benefited from an old hand for one season. Developing and racing are two different things.
I would have liked to see my fav., Bradley , get that ride but good to see another full works team on the grid..
OK then here are a couple of riders around RDP's age, Rossi, I think two years older and not the same as he used to be. Hayden, same age not the same as he used to be, and lets not forget those two are former world champions. I honestly can't see any benefit from him riding for a season, as I don't believe that he'd be any more competitive. Espargaro is good rider and good enough to give feedback on what is and isn't working, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
And he gets a development job with suzuki as reward for his loyalty, as well as a wsbk ride. So that's him set for life.
