[AllyCat]

In a pre-race interview in Valencia, last race of the 2003 season, Rossi explained that after Sunday's race he will let the world know where he will be next season.
He stated that "Honda bosses where here" and that after the Sunday's race it was the right thing to let everyone know.

After a brilliant year in his fourth top-level season in GP racing, it seems that Rossi may part with the number 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Rossi

 

[TX907]

This is what I have read lately:

Rossi probably to Yamaha but maybe to Ducati if Marlboro ponied up.

Edwards to Honda.

Hodgson to Ducati MotoGP B team. But they may keep their other current rider, so how where would Xaus go? AMA? Aprilia?

Haga is leaving Aprilia and said he is going to the US. He has also been seen talking to Ducati.

So it might be Xaus or Haga here on the Duc...

 

[dj]

I was just watching the final MotoGP race and the announcers were saying that Rossi will announce post-race that he will ride for Yamaha next year, :'(

I sooo hoped he would go for a ride with Ducati. I mean, it would just seem right!

 

[TX907]

Well, all that was announced is that he WILL NOT be riding for Honda. But Yamaha has stated that they are still negotiating with him....

 

[Mikec]

Looks like we might get a serious Ducati effort here in the AMA series. Having Suzuki win anything just isn't right.

 

[Mark1305]

Reading some interview stuff over on motogp.com right after the race, and it looks like Rossi may not be able to announce until 31 December - he states he still works for HRC until then ???

 

[AllyCat]

from www.roadracingworld.com

Rossi Takes His Crew To Yamaha

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracing World correspondent Mat Oxley has confirmed that MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi is taking most of his crew with him as he defects from Honda to Yamaha for 2004.

The crew, led by Jerry Burgess, was helped along in the decision by incentive payments made by Rossi himself, thought to be in the range of $50,000 each.

Prior to working with Rossi, most of the crew members worked with Mick Doohan.

First priority for the crew will be to sort through the massive adjustability of the Yamaha YZR-M1 and to find a workable baseline setting by averaging the wild range of settings used on the bike during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

 

[TX907]

Well, its official-official. Yamaha announced a 2 year contract with Rossi.

Maybe now all the other rides can fall into place...

 

[AllyCat]

I read it today... I am hoping to take in a MotoGP race when I am in Europe in May

 

[TX907]

Should be a wild year.

Yamaha may actually try to get serious after spending all that money on Rossi. Honda will be out to beat Rossi AND top Ducati since the Duc was the fastest bike this year. And Ducati will be trying to make a run for the championship since they got that first-year thing out of the way. The Proton will probably make a lot of progress in a full year. The Aprilia is fast but has issues - maybe they will work some out. But I don't know about the Suzuki and Kawasaki teams....

 

[GTJerry]

I was holding out hope that Rossi would sign with Ducati.
Oh well.

Next year will be a great one. Rossi's team sorting out the Yamaha, Hodgeson on the 2nd factory Ducati, and Edwards where he should have been to start with.

It should be a 3 way battle for the manufacturers title.