Silly Season is Upon Us
In case you didn't know, every Thursday, PMT's very own Steve Matthes releases a column for Moto Online. This week, he decided to start talking silly season. Now, I know it seems a little early to be talking silly season. I mean, we're only five rounds in, right? Ah, who am I kidding? It's NEVER too early to talk silly season! Anyway, check out what he had to say about the 2013 lineup so far.
There’s a lot going on behind the scene in American racing as riders and agents are scrambling into team lounges after the races to talk contract and figure out who they want on their team next year. We know that the all-powerful Pro Circuit team has signed Martin Davalos for next year to go along with Darryn Durham and Blake Baggett. There’s still one spot left over there.
The GEICO Honda team is set with Justin Bogle, Eli Tomac, Zach Osborne, Zach Bell (an amateur kid moving up) and Wil Hahn and this weekend the Rockstar Suzuki team resigned Jason Anderson and Blake Wharton for 2013, which leaves them with two spots left. Looks like Marvin Musquin is going back to KTM after talking to PC.
That’s the main players in the 250 Class, but what about the 450 class? Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer has re-signed with Kawasaki and injured Trey Canard has re-upped with Honda for another year or two. We know that Justin Barcia is going to be on the factory Honda 450 next year, but Justin Brayton’s status is up in the air, as is Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe.
James Stewart and Chad Reed are set and Reed’s going after Dean Wilson, but then again, so is everyone else. Wilson is the hottest property right now with JGR Yamaha, KTM and Reed all chasing after him. Speaking of JGR, they want Millsaps back, but length of contract is what I hear could be a sticking point.
Mike Alessi is just going to stay the same privateer route as this year and go another year with MotoConcepts, who is also looking to get another 450 rider.
Andrew Short is going back to Chaparral next year, but they’re also going after the big fish, which would be the 2012 supercross champion Ryan Villopoto.
Most people in the pits think that RV will end up back at Kawasaki, but there is some talks and some interest from the Larry Brooks/Jeremy McGrath Honda team. It’s interesting that Ryan hasn’t signed his deal yet, because it seems like it would be pretty easy right?
A bit of a raise on his end (even though injuries have hurt him in the 450 Class, he’s won every series that he’s raced every race in) and there you go. Must be something going on behind the scenes to make this more difficult than one would think. Keep an eye on this situation.
To check out the full Matthes Report, click HERE.