An announcement from Kawasaki's MotoGP team about their plans for the 2009 season was expected today but has singularly failed to materialise, generating speculation the series promoters, Dorna, has stepped in to try and save its own bacon.
It was widely believed the team would officially announce they would not be taking part in this year's championship because parent company Kawasaki Heavy Industries had other ideas for the budget, given the current economic climate in Japan.
The spectacular lack of contact with the outside world from Kawasakihas given rise to talk that Dorna may well have shoved its oar in to prevent the grid being reduced to 16 bikes for this year - and may well put its hand in its pocket as well.
There is growing chatter that Jorge Martinez is going to be given the team gratis but will have to find the money to run it on a day-to-day basis from now on. However, his backers are Spanish and will want a Spanish rider.
The Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association is due to meet in Japan on Wednesday and Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta is also expected to be in attendance. Ezpeleta will be desperate to keep both Kawasakis on the grid for 2009, or at least one, and may well offer Martinez a financial incentive to accept Kawasaki's offer. If there has been one.
With regard to riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri, Tech3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal has stated there is no room at the inn for Hopper, while LCR head man Lucio Cecchinello has said the same for Melandri.
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