No transfer moves
By TMX Archives on 14th Sep 12
There was no movement in the transfer market at the weekend as several key team players like Roger Magee of HM Plant KTM and Kari Tiainen of Ice1 Kawasaki were no-shows.
But it is becoming increasingly clear that the market has swayed in favour of the riders, with many more MX1 team places available than previously anticipated.
Max Nagl, David Philippaerts, Shaun Simpson, Rui Goncalves, Xavier Boog, Jonathan Barragan and Davide Guarneri are still on the market, but Honda's Roger Harvey confirmed: "We WILL find a solution.”
Sticking point at the moment is Max Nagl's desire to retain his Red Bull links, while existing Honda contracts insist on rider freedom from energy drinks.
Red Bull has declined the opportunity to sponsor Honda World as a team as it wants to retain its individual identity with KTM.
But Honda appreciates Nagl's desire to retain his personal identity with a company, which has stood by him during hisrecuperation from back injuries.
World champion in 2008, Philippaerts is currently undecided between a TM factory, a Honda ride with Gariboldi and a Kawasaki Italy deal, without factory bikes. The option has becomeincreasingly inviting because of movements elsewhere.
Officially BMW will decide on Husqvarna's 2013 programme next week, but Martino Bianchi was ordered not to attend the Faenza GP to avoid being available for questions and race team manager Ilario Ricci was also tight-lipped about the future.
It is known however that the Italian outlets of several Japanese firms have been in contact with the experienced manager.
And Kawasaki is favourite to hire him to run the team with Philippaerts.
Davide Guarneri will definitely part company with Silver Action and is ecpected to join Marchetti KTM, but rumours of a Silver Action closure were dismissed by Marco Madaschi.
"This is my life, mypassion. We will run and I hope to sign a new MX1 rider and retain TimGajser, but we have yet to decide if he will race MX2 GPs or the EMX2 series.”
There are also still places available at TM, Ice1, LS, STR and HM Plant.
Should Philippaerts go green, Rui Goncalves is next favourite for the TM factory ride, and he is also top of the wish list at Ice1 – where Dean Ferris is only on an option and NOT confirmed for 2013 – alongside Shaun Simpson.
A little bird says that Jonathan Barragan is very keen to return to KTM with STR.
And Christophe Pourcel? – nobody seems interested!
