Shakey leaves Airwaves

**bolds** · 28 Sep 08, 07:07 PM

See link Airwaves Ducati :: GSE Racing - British Superbikes

**bradders** · 28 Sep 08, 07:12 PM

where to???

**bolds** · 28 Sep 08, 07:26 PM

Doesnt say but pretty sure its Sterilgada Ducati

**hjworton** · 29 Sep 08, 10:06 AM

I think Shakey belongs in WSBK but he is not getting any younger and a year(or more) on a non-factory bike will make him look bad IMO. He has gone so well with GSE Racing that I am slightly surprised he wants ti move...

**beancounter** · 29 Sep 08, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjworton

I think Shakey belongs in WSBK but he is not getting any younger and a year(or more) on a non-factory bike will make him look bad IMO. He has gone so well with GSE Racing that I am slightly surprised he wants ti move...

GSE are moving to Yamaha next year. Byrne understandably wants to stay on a Ducati (AFAIK).

bc

**Michael D** · 29 Sep 08, 11:37 AM

Probably more to do with £s rather than the manufacturer.As with GSE running a team of Yamaha,s will be much cheaper than Ducati,s

**TP#12** · 29 Sep 08, 12:19 PM

Shakey had an offer to stay with GSE and ride the new big bang R1 in BSB but understandably turned it down.

For his ambition he needs to be in WSB and his loyalty to GSE (he waited for them to announce what they're doing before he started any lengthy negotiations with anyone else) may very well have cost him Troy Bayliss's seat. If Sterilgarda have offered him a bike he really ought to snap their hands off. He's just won BSB on a Ducati so moving to a Ducati on the world stage is his 2nd best option behind the Xerox ride.

Staying in BSB and trying to learn a new bike (R1) would be a mistake IMO. It will be interesting to see how Sterilgarda pan out next year because they'll have two new riders now that Xaus and Biaggi are off and they may need to find a lot of money. There were rumours that a lot of the money running the team was out of Xaus's pocket and if they were true then its possible Sterilgarda may not be the team it was this year. Also, how many mechanics/backroom staff leave with Biaggi or Xaus etc etc ...

**hjworton** · 29 Sep 08, 12:51 PM

All fair points well made. It just seemed that GSE were the only team to actually 'get' what Shakey is all about. He is a Kentish boy, the whole team are Kentish - pretty much- and he is comfortable with them. This is what I think has made him so fast this season - as well as the extra 200cc.

I want to see him in WSBK doing well but is it realistic ? Does he want to make up the numbers ? Has he missed the factory superbike boat ? I guess his biggest regret must be the wasted seasons in MotoGP. It must've seemed like a good idea at the time...

Whoever he rides for and wherever he rides in 09 it will be spectacular and that is the main reason Shakey is so popular with racing fans. Good luck Shakey.

**Neil Keogh** · 29 Sep 08, 01:00 PM

I dont think he has missed the boat, he is late though, but I did hear somewhere that those japanese companies are still looking around.

Missed years in Moto GP maybe, but I reckon the salary hike eased the pain!

Dont think Sterilgarda will be around, as that was mainly Xaus and then finally a mixed venture with Biaggi

I know why dont we ask the Ginger "guru" (aka to$$er) what he thinks?............he seems to have everybody's ear at the mo! I dont think!

early days still at the rumourmill!!

**Michael D** · 29 Sep 08, 03:14 PM

I dont think Byrne will have any realistic chance of winning one round never mind the championship.The move is purely financial,same as the venture into GPs and who can blame him.He does it for a living not a hobby.
If it was all about winning,he could have offered to ride the factory Ducati for nothing.Im sure he could afford to spend one year living off personal sponsorship money and the income he has aquired to date.

**hjworton** · 29 Sep 08, 03:57 PM

Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati it is then...

Byrne confirmed with Sterilgarda Ducati. | WSBK News | Crash.Net

How many Brits in WSBK next season ? Rea, Hill, Sykes, Byrne....any more ? Or is that it ?

**TP#12** · 29 Sep 08, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael D

I dont think Byrne will have any realistic chance of winning one round never mind the championship.The move is purely financial,same as the venture into GPs and who can blame him.He does it for a living not a hobby.
If it was all about winning,he could have offered to ride the factory Ducati for nothing.Im sure he could afford to spend one year living off personal sponsorship money and the income he has aquired to date.

He's already won at WSB level, he did the double at Brands Hatch in his previous title winning year, so I think your assertion that he doesn't have a realistic chance of winning even a round is wrong. Look at what Kiyo has done this year. I understand he was offered good money to stay in BSB so if it was about money why would he go and challenge himself in WSB? He could collect his cash with less pressure, especially as the young guns that have been chasing him in BSB are all leaving and won't be around next year. Haslam, Crutchlow, Sykes ... all gone

He missed out on the Xerox ride because he was waiting for GSE to decide if they were going to WSB or not and to see what machinery they were on. Xerox picked Haga which shows it wasn't about money because Haga was leaving Yamaha over a money dispute. He asked for more money and they wouldn't increase their offer, which is the same as what happened at Aprillia previously.

**theoldbuzzard** · 30 Sep 08, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjworton

Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati it is then...

Byrne confirmed with Sterilgarda Ducati. | WSBK News | Crash.Net

Good news! Sterilgarda have done a really good job this year and one hopes that Ducati will repay both Byrne and Sterilgarda with the support that they both deserve in '09.

Looks like I'm going to have to my daughter a Sterilgarda t-shirt!

**Duke of Wales** · 30 Sep 08, 08:52 PM

Byrne confirmed with Sterilgarda Ducati. | WSBK News | Crash.Net

Shame he did'nt have the Factory ride that he deserve's after this year's BSB ...

**skidoff** · 30 Sep 08, 08:53 PM

I think Shakey will do well in WSB. basically its the same bike. just better riders Hope Sterigarda have the money.

Nice bloke shakey, Had a chat with a few years back, at the NEC. Shakey is no mug, he has been about for many years. Good rider, just hadnt had a good bike to ride.

Xerox Ducati team, never offered Shakey a ride.

Haga is leaving Yamaha because they wanted to cut his wages.