link : http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66577




Kawasaki say they plan to approach Valentino Rossi in the next month with a view to signing him to a 2009 deal.

Rossi's Yamaha contract expires at the end of this season, and Kawasaki team boss Michael Bartholemy has declared his interest in enticing the five-time MotoGP champion to Kawasaki.

"We are interested in Valentino, even though I've never spoken either to him or his manager," Bartholemy told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But I'd like to and soon, because this would be the perfect time. Our first two races didn't go well. So Shanghai could be the right place."

Kawasaki have made a low-key start to 2008, with John Hopkins's seventh place at Jerez their best result in the opening two races.

But Bartholemy believes their form has been hidden as Hopkins recovered from a pre-season injury.

"We are improving," he insisted. "We haven't demonstrated that in the first two races as a consequence of Hopkins's injury in Phillip Island testing. But we are convinced we have a good bike and that future developments will make it even better.

"To hire Rossi would put more pressure on us, because you can't have a rider like Valentino and end up 15th. The Rossi-Hopkins pairing would be perfect."

Rossi was open-minded about the possibility of Kawasaki talks.

"It's true, I've never spoken with Kawasaki," he told Gazzetta. "It will depend on what they offer me."

Bartholemy expects Kawasaki to enjoy significantly larger resources next season.

"I'd like to field a third official bike," he said. "Our budget should rise by at least five million euros. If the objectives get bigger, then it becomes easier to convince the management to invest."

Should Rossi decline Kawasaki's offer, Bartholemy said impressive rookie Andrea Dovizioso - currently riding for JiR Scot Honda - and 250cc rider Alvaro Bautista were on the team's shortlist.

"I'm thinking of three other riders, including two very young ones, one of which is already in MotoGP," he said.

"(Dovizioso) is a fine rider and he's very intelligent. I like him.

"I had already suggested (Bautista) in 2006 after Motegi, when (Shinya) Nakano announced his retirement. Back then the top management didn't believe in him. They regret that."

now this would be quite a coup if they could get him to sign & finally become real contenders. guess they would need a budget to have burgess & crew also...

vale on the kwaker would be a dream come true for me but can they afford his wages and the extra cost of r & d by signing him.
if hopper doesn't come up with the goods soon he may see is salary shrink somewhat.

hey rog i knew you would like this one being a big kwaker fan

rossi on a kwak with a screamer

have you heard the kwak screamer ??? it sounds amazing there is a 50 second vid on youtube not a big clip but it sounds very good indeed

I thought rossi has said he would stay with yamaha. He certainly seems to have stirred them into action more than somewhat for this year.

i will check it out

when he switched to yam and won the championship he said he would spend the rest of his racing days at yamaha, but hey that was a few championships ago so i wont hold him to it. saying that ,i would be very surprised if he did leave yam, looks like there getting back on song now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjou0zRJZBE

linky for the screamer sounds the nuts like a F1 car.

I don't think he's going to rush off and join ducati.

Kinda sad they didn't even mention Hayden as a choice

Rossi on the Kwak would be awesome. If he didn't care about the money as others have mentioned and just the achievement then I think that he may entertain the idea, no?

Is this the joke thread?

Rossi ain't going anywhere, hes already moved his key team members once and he basically has the little Japanese dude shaking to his stick

I thought I read his going to BMW /KR team

I had pretty much given up on this forum until I saw this stupid post. Kawasaki will be targeting Roger Hayden for next. Have any of you read how the motogp team is worried that he will not be able to test and race both indy and laguna because of injury? He is definitely the favorite.

I think it's obvious Kawasaki want him badly to help them get their bikes sorted, and he's the man to do it. Just how much is Kawasaki willing to spend? Stay tuned, would be very interesting to see the Doc pull this program up by it's boot straps, and possibly be riding with another Hayden, although I don't think it's going to happen for the youngest Hayden brother.

Yea, who needs Rossi when they have Roger Lee

Agreed. Kawasaki has high hopes for Hayden. If he can recover from his injury they want him to race in both wildcards at Laguna and at Indy. They have already stated he will be a member of the team is all goes well. Valentino is very happy with Yamaha and Kawasaki doesnt have the money nor the Moto GP results to hall in 7 time world champ. They are still a growing team and I dont think West is the answer so there looking for young talent to come in and spark somthing.