Rossi To Ride At Qatar - In World Superbikes?

xx CURVE xx · 01-12-2009, 10:18 AM

http://www.motogpmatters.com/

Rossi To Ride At Qatar - In World Superbikes?

Submitted by Kropotkin on Sat, 2009-01-10 22:20.
in Valentino Rossi Yamaha World Superbikes Losail, Qatar
Since the end of the 2008 season, Valentino Rossi has been very public about his admiration of the World Superbike series. So much so that the revealed he had tried to arrange to race in the final World Superbike round of 2008 at Portimao in Portugal. After that proved impossible to arrange, Rossi then spoke of his desire to race triple world champion Troy Bayliss aboard a World Superbike some time in 2009.

Bayliss may have turned down Rossi's offer - or perhaps we should call it a challenge - but Rossi remains undeterred. The Doctor continues to press for a chance to ride in World Superbikes.

Now, according to the British motorcycle racing website bikesportnews.com, it looks like he could get his chance. BSN's Edgar Jessop has revealed that Valentino Rossi hopes to line up at the second race of the World Superbike season at Qatar in March.

The report cites unnamed sources inside the Yamaha Motor Italia team, but despite there being no official statement, the chances of Rossi actually racing in World Superbikes are pretty good. Rossi's MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio has already stated publicly that he is prepared to support Rossi in his bid for a World Superbike wildcard, so The Doctor would appear to have Yamaha's official blessing.

The prospect of Rossi riding in World Superbikes must be have Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta in a cold sweat. This has already been a very bad week for MotoGP, and the chance of MotoGP losing the goose that lays Dorna's golden eggs would see MotoGP's status as the premier motorcycle racing class showing some serious cracks. The next few years promise to be interesting times for motorcycle racing fans.

http://www.bikesportnews.com/article...AT_QATAR_WSB_1

Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is lining up a ride alongside Ben Spies at the Qatar World Superbike round in March, say sources inside the Yamaha Italia factory.

There has been much speculation in recent months regarding Rossi's comments about WSB being far more exciting than MotoGP and the fact he wanted to race Troy Bayliss in a one-off event at Misano.

The news that Rossi could partner former three-times AMA Champion Spies on the 2009 long-bang R1 is sure to swell advance ticket sales at the desert track, which usually hosts 13 spectators for both WSB and MotoGP.

How the Italian factory would work a two or three-man team for the event is subject to speculation because ex-BSN man Tom Sykes will be very reluctant to give up his ride to allow Rossi in.

01-12-2009, 10:18 AM	#1
xx CURVE xx SMELL MY LEVER Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Moto: Tards Posts: 1,034	Rossi To Ride At Qatar - In World Superbikes? http://www.motogpmatters.com/ Rossi To Ride At Qatar - In World Superbikes? Submitted by Kropotkin on Sat, 2009-01-10 22:20. in Valentino Rossi Yamaha World Superbikes Losail, Qatar Since the end of the 2008 season, Valentino Rossi has been very public about his admiration of the World Superbike series. So much so that the revealed he had tried to arrange to race in the final World Superbike round of 2008 at Portimao in Portugal. After that proved impossible to arrange, Rossi then spoke of his desire to race triple world champion Troy Bayliss aboard a World Superbike some time in 2009. Bayliss may have turned down Rossi's offer - or perhaps we should call it a challenge - but Rossi remains undeterred. The Doctor continues to press for a chance to ride in World Superbikes. Now, according to the British motorcycle racing website bikesportnews.com, it looks like he could get his chance. BSN's Edgar Jessop has revealed that Valentino Rossi hopes to line up at the second race of the World Superbike season at Qatar in March. The report cites unnamed sources inside the Yamaha Motor Italia team, but despite there being no official statement, the chances of Rossi actually racing in World Superbikes are pretty good. Rossi's MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio has already stated publicly that he is prepared to support Rossi in his bid for a World Superbike wildcard, so The Doctor would appear to have Yamaha's official blessing. The prospect of Rossi riding in World Superbikes must be have Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta in a cold sweat. This has already been a very bad week for MotoGP, and the chance of MotoGP losing the goose that lays Dorna's golden eggs would see MotoGP's status as the premier motorcycle racing class showing some serious cracks. The next few years promise to be interesting times for motorcycle racing fans. http://www.bikesportnews.com/article...AT_QATAR_WSB_1 Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is lining up a ride alongside Ben Spies at the Qatar World Superbike round in March, say sources inside the Yamaha Italia factory. There has been much speculation in recent months regarding Rossi's comments about WSB being far more exciting than MotoGP and the fact he wanted to race Troy Bayliss in a one-off event at Misano. The news that Rossi could partner former three-times AMA Champion Spies on the 2009 long-bang R1 is sure to swell advance ticket sales at the desert track, which usually hosts 13 spectators for both WSB and MotoGP. How the Italian factory would work a two or three-man team for the event is subject to speculation because ex-BSN man Tom Sykes will be very reluctant to give up his ride to allow Rossi in.