As the final weeks of the 2009 season play out, the remaining roster changes sort themselves out as well. Now there are two more riders with solid 2010 plans inked: Mika Kallio and
James Toseland.
MotoGP didn't work out for King James. At least the first time around... Now its back to scrubbing dishes in World SBK.
Of course, the marquee “offseason” move for 2010 has
Ben Spies jumping ship for
MotoGP, which necessitated Yamaha unloading Toseland to
World Superbike. The twice former SBK champion King James returns after a two-year sojourn in MotoGP that never panned out aboard the satellite Yamaha squad. Sacked from his Tech 3 seat, the Englishman can expect to be back in title contending form for 2010 with the factory World Superbike team.
“I’m looking forward to return to World Superbikes,” said Toseland in a recent Yamaha Racing press release. “I want to show I’m still the rider that can win world titles. Of course there is some disappointment at losing my opportunity in MotoGP as I believe the challenge was still achievable, but the R1 has proven to be beyond the strongest bikes in Superbike and I know many of the Yamaha World Superbike Team guys, so I’m going to pick up where I left off and give 100% to achieving good results with the team. Within Superbike there were a few options available to me, however the way Yamaha have treated me since I joined them has been outstanding. They gave me a great opportunity in MotoGP, but now I do wish Ben all the best in his campaign and my aim is to continue Yamaha’s success in World Superbike.”
Toseland will campaign the 2010 season alongside countryman Cal Crutchlow, who hopes to translate a successful World Supersport career in the premier class. The British rider had this to say about the Yamaha maneuvering:
"Moving up to World Superbike will be a great challenge, I’m looking forward to it and am under no illusion as to how hard it is but I intend to do a good job. I’m also looking forward to riding with another Brit. Ben is obviously doing really well this year and I wish him luck for the last two WSB rounds and next year in MotoGP. It’s great to be working with Yamaha again in 2010.”
Mika Kallio will campaign 2010 with the Pramac squad, looking to improve on a solid rookie season.
One of the final open spots in the MotoGP paddock filled when Finnish rider Mika Kallio expectedly stayed put with the Pramac Ducati. The MotoGP rookie has logged a number of top-10 placements for the Pramac squad, including his best of the season last round at Misano.
"Now that we have agreed for next season we can exclusively concentrate to do our job on track,” said the 26-year-old in a PR statement. “I am very happy to be able to continue with the Pramac Racing Team, Paolo Campinoti and Ducati to give continuity to this project. This season is going in a positive direction with high and low point, but considering that it is my rookie season it's normal: we confide to be able to improve together next year."
Two riders still left standing in the game of MotoGP musical chairs are Toni Elias and Chris Vermeulen. Both riders have GP wins to their credit, with Vermeulen’s fate aboard the GSV-R flagging in 2009 after promising seasons with the Suzuki, most notably in 2007. Vermeulen figures to be a good match for a return to World Superbike, where he finished second in 2005 to Troy Corser before beginning his MotoGP career with Suzuki.
Elias is still without a 2010 contract, although the Gresini Honda rider logged an impressive podium finish recently at Brno.
