Franco Morbidelli has very good chances to attain a spot in the Honda HRC team next to Marc Marquez. This is the idea the Japanese firm is working on, meaning that Jonathan Rea won’t get there. Now that HRC decided for a full-time commitment again, the North Ireland rider could have used his participation in the team, especially foreseeing the 8 Hours, but there are a good 99% chances this is not happening. The true run-off is now between Franco Morbidelli, the Marc VDS shining star, and Dani Pedrosa.
SPONSOR – The 2019 market is getting more and more excited, with very little spots left but many riders (even significant ones) virtually unemployed. Franco Morbidelli’s position is one of the most difficult, especially considering the uncertain future of the Marc VDS team: they should have the Italian rider under contract until 2020 but he is still dealing with the controversy between the team’s owner and the former team manager Michael Bartholemy. After Joan Mir quit, Honda probably doesn’t want to lose another young and talented rider: Franco Morbidelli is only 23 years old. But Dani Pedrosa has not yet been completely cut off, even though the newly selected manager Alberto Puig would happily give away the rider as they have a difficult relationship, but it’s hard to convince a sponsor like Repsol.
REA STAYS – The three-time Superbike World Champion got into the game that involves all the big shots in the paddock (brands, riders, sponsors) as he can count on some estimators in Honda. But he knows that it would be very hard for him to ride the RC213V, as it is a World Champion bike and many riders yearn for it. At this point, Jonathan Rea can only sign with Kawasaki again. Unless some unexpected turns of events will change the game…