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MotoGP gossip, rumour and intrigue

Jonathan Rea could find himself in MotoGP full time next year if Paul Bird moves away from Aprilia power to Honda production machinery in the 2014 MotoGP season. Bird has spoken to the factory and it would seem they would like to place the Isle of Man resident with the chicken magnate's PBM setup should a deal be struck.

Bird has always maintained he wants an all-British squad and Rea would sit nicely with fellow Ulsterman Michael Laverty in the Langwathby-run team…

Not only is Cal Crutchlow being courted by Ducati for next season, it would also appear a switch to Honda could be on the cards. HRC have not 100 per cent nailed down their deal with Stefan Bradl and although Alvaro Bautista has a contract in place, he is on rocky ground in performance terms.

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Honda can't ignore Crutchlow's pace so far this season with four podiums out of eight races. Crutchlow's other option would be to go to Ducati as they won't be re-hiring Nicky Hayden…

Ducati are keen to keep the 2006 world champion within the family but race boss Paolo Ciabatti has said it won't be on a Desmosedici. Hayden would fit into the Alstare squad which is currently lumbered with an under-performing Ayrton Badovini. Whether Carlos Checa will call it quits at the end of the year is another story. Hayden said at the Sachsenring he has already been approached by some factory WSBK teams, of which there really are only a couple…

Although Scott Redding was cagey about his MotoGP options for next year, HRC boss Livio Suppo said he would be more than welcome into their arms for 2014 is likely to replace Bryan Staring on a production racer. Redding is due to sign a deal this week but don't hold your breath.

Aleix Espargaro showed he could keep pace with the prototypes in Germany and claimed to be using the 'slower' engine. If there is a faster one, then the ART will give Honda's proddie bikes a run next year. And could there be a slot for Eugene Laverty...

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