MotoGP 2016: The Jigsaw Nears Completion

Sep 8, 2015
4 min read

You may remember, over the summer break, that I looked at the movers and shakers for the 2016 grid, and that there were a lot of unknowns to be confirmed.

Well, since then things have began to fall into place. But new unknowns have crept up too, so it's best we take a look into the rider market once again and see how it is shaping up.

I got the clearest indications at Silverstone that Stefan Bradl will indeed remain with Aprilia for the 2016 season after several comments made by notable people. The German himself stated in the post-practice media scrum that he'd had “good communication” with the team regarding a ride for next year. The day before, in the media scrum for Cal Crutchlow, the Briton stated, whilst being asked about the 2016 grid, that Bradl was looking like he was to return to Moto2 next year but was to stay in the premier class instead.

This makes sense for the team as Bradl has fitted in with the team and the bike exceptionally well, scoring points on his second outing in Brno after a race-long scrap with Alvaro Bautista – the Spaniard pretty much guaranteed for next year too.

One man tipped originally for the second RS-GP was Britain's Sam Lowes. Given the situation in the team, that looks to be on the back-burner until 2017 by which time Aprilia will be looking to supply to a satellite team. Despite this Lowes does look to be on the move for 2016.

Scott Redding has signed for the Pramac Ducati team, as expected, and has left a Marc VDS-liveried Honda vacant. This will almost certainly become Tito Rabat's next year. I was unable to get any kind of confirmation from anyone at Silverstone, but those I talked to are all in agreement that the 2014 Moto2 World Champion will be on the MotoGP grid next season.

This will leave a Marc VDS Kalex free in the intermediate class, and it looks like Lowes will have first dibs on the machine as it is rumoured that he has the pick of the litter in Moto2 right now.

The situation with the Hondas for the 2016 season is an interesting one. Whilst stood in the Repsol Honda hospitality I heard Livio Suppo say that there will only be six RC213Vs on the grid next year, and that Marc VDS and LCR will only be fielding one of those each. The latter of whom is struggling to find a title sponsor following CWM's recent problems, and this has cast doubt on the team being able to field two machines.

Cal Crutchlow was re-signed by the team on the Wednesday of the British Grand Prix, so this leaves Jack Miller without a team at present. As he is in contract with Honda, HRC will facilitate a move to Aspar for next year where the Australian will have all of his crew from this season by his side. This does mean that one of the current Aspar riders will be hitting the bricks, and I'm saddened to say that it looks likely to be 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden. The rumour mill suggests that the Kentucky Kid is on his way to World Superbikes, with his team-mate Eugene Laverty possibly in tow depending on the outcome of another rider's decision.

Danny Kent was offered the Pramac seat that ultimately went to his compatriot Redding, but stated in the post-British GP press conference that he has other options in the premier class – I suspect Aspar. It makes sense given that he currently rides a Honda in the Moto3 class. And if he was to be paired with Miller he would have a good barometer to gauge how well he is doing in the premier class, given that the Australian also came straight from Moto3.

Kiefer Racing are still keen to expand into Moto2 next year, so Kent may yet opt for another year in Leopard Racing colours on a Kalex whilst more options open up for 2017. So, if he does this, and LCR can't get the funding for a second bike, then I think Laverty will probably have another year in MotoGP.

Suppo's comments, and the fact that there are no other bikes available, confirm that AB Motoracing will not be on the grid next year. The same goes for Forward Racing and IodaRacing.

Yonny Hernandez will be at Avintia next season, and Mike Di Meglio will be on his way to WSBK most likely.

This is what the 2016 grid will look like with all of the above taken into account:

Repsol Honda – Marc Marquez/Dani Pedrosa

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Valentino Rossi/Jorge Lorenzo

Ducati Team – Andrea Dovizioso/Andrea Iannone

Suzuki Team Ecstar – Aleix Espargaro/Maverick Vinales

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Steafn Bradl/Alvaro Bautista

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Bradley Smith/Pol Espargaro

LCR Honda – Cal Crutchlow

EG Marc VDS – Tito Rabat

Octo Pramac Ducati – Scott Redding/Danilo Petrucci

Avintia Racing – Yonny Hernandez/Hector Barbera