Following the confirmation of Ben Spies for Yamaha Tech 3, it seems an opportune time to just review the current confirmed rider line-up for 2010 in the top class.
Alvaro was confirmed some time back which would suggest that he’ll have no trouble retaining the number 19 (as opposed to freshly confirmed Spies who must surely swap to another number) – and this is how the listing currently goes…
Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha
Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha
Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro
Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro
Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda
Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda
Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki
Alvaro Bautista SPA Rizla Suzuki*
Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini
Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini*
Hector Barbera SPA Aspar Ducati*
Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Ducati
Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda
Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha
Ben Spies USA Tech 3 Yamaha*
(* rookie)
As for the remaining spots on the 2010 grid, of the current entrants only Pramac Ducati and Team Scot Honda have yet to announce their remaining riders.
Regarding start numbers I think they don’t go by the confirmation date, but rather by the date of official rider registration through the team which only happens once this season is over I believe.
But whichever way, it’d be more than weird (and unfair) if Spies seriously considered taking the 19 away from Alvaro as he only got the number this year for WSBK and Bati definitely has “older rights”.
Regarding start numbers I think they don’t go by the confirmation date, but rather by the date of official rider registration through the team which only happens once this season is over I believe.
But whichever way, it’d be more than weird (and unfair) if Spies seriously considered taking the 19 away from Alvaro as he only got the number this year for WSBK and Bati definitely has “older rights”.