Pigeon/cat expert Ben Spies admitted at Brno he was not only in talks with the Suzuki factory for a slot in their test team with the possibility of wildcards next year, he also said he was speaking with U, Fatso Gresini too but hadn't ruled out a return to WSBK with BMW.

In slightly less believable speculation, he was also linked with the Pramac Ducati lot and joined the increasingly-lengthy list of people who will be riding for the Ducati Junior team next year. A squad which will probably will not exist in 2013.

Gresini, meanwhile, is playing the game perfectly, saying that yes he is talking to Spies, but he is also talking to Scott Redding but he is keen to retain Alvaro Bautista as he hasn't had that bad a season and he prefers to let a rider try for two years before giving him the Spanish archer.

That is, of course, if he has an RC213V to offer anyone. Some of the dirtier mongers at Brno said that Honda have been less than happy the Italian tried to wheel an Aprilia CRT bike into his garage at the start of the season and his HRC lease may end up in a beautifully-crafted-from-unobtanium bin.

Suzuki had a delegation at the Brno round and were courting MotoGP ringmaster Carmelo Ezpeleta who apparently wants a commitment for three years. Suzuki said they would like to come back for one in 2014 to see how they get on.

Ducati have apparently been trying to get their claws in to Stefan Bradl. Not for 2013, mind, but for 2014. The little German has refuted the rumour, which means it is probably true.

James Ellison may get some sort of parity with the Aspar team in terms of engines just in time for the flyway races in 2012. He is on a lesser-spec of motor to the likes of Randy De Puniet who is, apparently, running gear-driven cams etc.

Colin Edwards will get an Aprilia ART to ride at Misano after testing it at Brno. It is believed the Forward Racing squad is so fed up with the 'piece of shit' Suter/BMW they have given Aprilia some money.