After only a couple of hours in the fabulous Algarve, rumours are abounding over where people are heading next season, if they are taking their mechanics with them, who the team managers are going to be and where have all these Ducati 1198s come from…

To start, Hiro Aoyama is about to be confirmed as Jonathan Rea's team-mate in the Castrol Honda squad for 2012. There is so far no firm word on whether the oil barons will be back as title sponsor next year but it seems like the Japanese manufacturer is taking WSB, and the promotion of its 2012 Fireblade, fairly seriously.

Further to the editor's story this morning, it looks like Eugene Laverty is set to pen a three-year deal to ride a works Aprilia but it is not yet known whether it will be alongside Max Biaggi or in a separate but factory outfit.

Speaking of Lavertys, Michael is at Portimao and has already had chars with various people including an Aprilia squad but not the works one. It is believed his main focus is to remain in BSB with Swan Yamaha but of course, you never know...

Speaking of people who will more than likely be related to the Lavertys before too much longer, Chaz Davies is almost certain to make the step into WSB next season. There is a Ducati sitting in the paddock and it is widely rumoured he will ride it at Portimao during Tuesday's test.

Leon Camier is also slated to be making a move to a Ducati team and it looks to be alongside Davide Giugliano. The 2009 British Superbike Champion has had a rough time with the Alitalia Aprilia squad and is hoping to re-unite with certain members of his old Airwaves Yamaha team. His right hand man Andy Walker was also seen having lunch with Big Jack Valentine who took great pains to try and convince the editor he was here on holiday...

Newly-crowned WSB champ Carlos Checa has reportedly been offered a big-money ride with the BMW Italia team and could well take is as nothing has been forthcoming from his current Althea squad. Rumour in the Phillip Island paddock also puts Checa on a Pramac Ducati for Valencia.

Doommongers have it in for Troy Corser, saying it is all over for the Aussie in racing but he spent a long time in the pits at Brands Hatch last weekend and was seen dodging in and out of garages. Could we see the veteran do a final season with Paul Bird…

And to top it off, there has apparently been another on-track handbags episode between Melandri and Biaggi, witnessed by Camier. I shall bring you more news when I have caught up with any or all of the three... or should I say, despatched someone to do it for me as it's #gino'clock...