Martinez talks 2008 MotoGP plans

Jorge Martinez, boss of the biggest team operating outside of the MotoGP world championship, has revealed he is locked in negotiations to join the premier class next season.

Martinez, who runs five Aprilia machines in the 250 and 125 classes, revealed plans in Shanghai to spread his involvement to all three classes in 2008.

Martinez is currently looking to secure a lease deal for a one-rider team in MotoGP, with talks taking place with Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki.

With Dorna pledging a cash incentive to convince Suzuki and Kawasaki to increase their involvement beyond a two-rider factory effort, both Japanese factories are currently conducting internal feasibility studies on whether it has the resources to supply an additional machine in ’08.

Martinez’s plans will be a relief to Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta, who has seen the MotoGP field shrink alarmingly in the six-year four-stroke MotoGP era.

Increased costs and lack of sponsorship have cut this year’s field to just 19 bikes.
Martinez, who has highly rated reigning world 125 champion Alvaro Bautista and Alex de Angelis in his stable, said: “MotoGP is a clear target for next year. We have been working on this for many years but now it is clearer that we have the chance to do it.

“We have got good sponsors for this project and we will have some new sponsors. The first step will be a one-rider next year and a two-rider team in 2009.”

Martinez, who said he has drawn up a list of five potential rider targets, added: “The options are Suzuki and Kawasaki but I have also spoken with Yamaha.

“For me personally Yamaha is the best option. But to do it with Yamaha could cause problems for the existing Tech 3 team and I don’t want to do that.”

Yamaha is reluctant to extend its premier class involvement beyond its current entry of four machines, but Martinez said whichever manufacturer he strikes a deal with, his squad would run the same tyre brand as the factory team.

Rizla Suzuki boss Paul Denning refused to discuss on-going negotiations with Martinez, but his plans are being heavily backed by Suzuki Spain.

Denning said: “Suzuki fully supports the fact that we need to do more in MotoGP to support the series. Leasing a bike to a private team is something that Suzuki is considering very seriously internally.

“The biggest issue at this stage is not the financial aspects. It is more to do with internal resources in the race department and whether that resource can be changed quickly enough.

“To run a third rider you need a lot more in terms of parts, organisation, distribution and maintenance. There is no way Suzuki would do it without that organisation level being there.”