Lorenzo

[Kwacky]

Statement from Honda to say that he's off to Honda HQ in Japan so they can work with him to get the bike set up the way he likes.

He's in for a bollocking, isn't he?

[Cav]

I would assume so, yes.

[C00kiemonster]

They need to do something thats for sure.

[Cav]

He clearly is lacking the mental resilience required to be at the top and it takes him far too long to gather himself.

Get rid of him and stick Alex Marquez in his seat - let's see what the brothers can do while in the same team !

[Kwacky]

If only there was a satellite Honda rider who put in a stonking performance recently....

[duke63]

I reckon his best days are over. He has now pissed off all of the major factories.

[Jack]

Maybe not ,maybe they really want to sort out the bike so he can win on it , maybe they see him as their best chance in the future should the MM/Ducati rumours be confirmed .

[Kwacky]

I can think of half a dozen riders who are younger, a third of the cost and with more potential than Lorenzo. The youngsters are really shining this season. I can see Honda taking a chance.

[duke63]

Honda have always considered the rider to be secondary to the bike.

Lorenzo is 32. There is no way he will be racing in 5 years time.

[Deegee]

What’s the probability of a delayed “Mutual agreement to part company?” (AKA sacked if no improvement in next race)

[Cav]

Is it possible Honda didn't take Lorenzo on to be competitive with Marquez, rather Honda saw Lorenzo make huge progress with Ducati. While he was there the bike got better and the Ducati is now clearly a better bike than the Honda (3 Ducatis vs 1 Honda vs 1 Suzuki for most of the race). Maybe Honda don't want him for his race winning ability and maybe more to improve the bike and make it easier to ride

[duke63]

Hodgson, at the weekend, alluded to the fact that Honda saw him as a threat to Marquez on the Ducati and by taking him on, they removed that threat.

[Kwacky]

They've got test riders and satellite teams for that.

There's no way Honda were expecting him to struggle like this.

[duke63]

They could pay another rider 5% of what Lorenzo is earning and get better results.

[Cav]

They could pay another rider 5% of what Lorenzo is earning and get better results.

I'm not able to ride at the minute but I appreciate it

[Blade]

It took him 18 months to get to grip with the Ducati and fair play to Lorenzo most of that was delays caused by Ducati refusing to accept his opinion and request for a few simple changes.

Surely Honda were aware of the above and that both time and bike changes would be required for Lorenzo to go quickly. Especially as they developed the RCV solely for Marquez who has a polar opposite riding style to Lorenzo.

If Honda expected Lorenzo to go quick out of the blocks on the current RCV they were idiots and I don't think HRC management are idiots, so maybe, just maybe it is what it says it is, and a factory visit to make the necessary changes.

Let's be honest if Honda sack him with out giving a 5 time world champion the opportunity to succeed by making minor seating changes then more fool Honda I say.

[Blade]

Also if rumours are true and mm93 is looking at other riders outside of Honda, then Honda would rightly want an experienced and quick rider in their team to supplement any new hot shot young buck rookie, they maybe looking at.

[Cav]

I doubt they would sack him but I would imagine they'll be working out some stuff for Lorenzo but with extra pressure on him to perform - how long is his contract for?

[Kwacky]

They won't sack him. Not this early in the season. End of season at the earliest.