Not SV1000 related but is Suzuki related.

[Craigmri]

Does anyone know if Aaron Yates is contracted to ride with Yoshimura for '05?

I'm speculating that due to his PR problems and poor on the track performance in '04 that perhaps Suzuki might let him go. I recently read that Eric Bostrom might also be splitting with Ducati.

This allows my mouth to water with the thought of Eric Bostrom on a GSXR-1000 in 2005.

Does anyone else think there is a chance??

Craig
'03 SV1000S

[one2many]

I believe this is the last year of Aaron's contract but I haven't heard any news on him yet. As for Eric, word is he will be splitting halfway thru his two year contract with Ducati. I look for Eric to be on a full factory supported Kawasaki next year. That would be the bomb baby :Punk:

Here's some Zemke news from www.roadracingworld.com
Zemke Confirms He Will Ride For Honda Again In 2005

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jake Zemke will be riding for the American Honda factory team in the 2005 AMA Superbike Championship.

“Yeah, it was announced at the (Honda dealer) show (September 8, in Nashville, Tennessee) that I would be with Honda again next year,” Zemke said in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com today, adding later that he would ride for the factory team instead of in Erion Honda colors. “The contract is just getting its final revision, but it’s pretty much a done deal. I know I’ll be riding a Superbike, but if I’ll be riding in another class and what that class might be, that’s still to be determined.”

Zemke said the contract renewal was for one year only.

Zemke has already clinched second in the 2004 AMA Formula Xtreme Championship, where he has won twice and finished on the podium nine times in 10 races so far this year.

He also currently sits second in the AMA Superbike Championship, 42 points behind leader Mat Mladin with two races remaining. Zemke has won twice and finished on the podium 11 times in 16 races in his rookie year in AMA Superbike.

[one2many]

Here's some Eric Bostrom news from www.superbikeplanet.com


Is Eric Bostrom About To Duc Out?
Will Eric Bostrom Ever Ride A Ducati Again?
by dean adams
Friday, September 10, 2004
Those intrepid fans expecting Eric Bostrom to be on a Ducati next year at Daytona may be in for a surprise. Although Bostrom still has over a year remaining on his current contract with Ducati Corse, do not be surprised if he and Ducati work out a separation agreement soon that would see the Northern California rider leave the Italian team.

For the record, no one from either the Bostrom or Ducati camp will give any indication that a split is imminent. Bostrom's camp says he's ready to get back on the bike as soon as he heals from his Road Atlanta crash, and there's only silence from Bologna.

That said, it's tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Bostrom's competitive resurgence on the Ducati. He has another year on his high-dollar contract, but Bostrom will be 28 in November, and none of us are getting any younger. In terms of his career, is there value in him racing the Ducati for another season if his confusion on the bike remains?

Bostrom, even with injury, has had an okay debut season on the 999-he set the pole at Daytona, led the race until the Ducati flat-lined, then won the Colorado round of the series, scoring Ducati's first Superbike win in America in years.

However, when he was unceremoniously ejected from the bike at Atlanta, he didn't seem any more in tune with the Ducati than he did at Laguna Seca. What will the situation be when he gets back on?

If he did leave the team, Bostrom would have no problem obtaining another ride in America. His availability could make other teams dramatically change their plans for 2005. And, as for Ducati, there's always a line of people interested in a ride on the Austin bike; from Lorenzo Lanzi and Giovanni Bussei to such outsiders as Steve Martin, Chris Walker, and maybe even Troy Bayliss.

ENDS