It looks like Marco Melandri is set to be a MotoGP refugee in 2009 but has ruled out a move into the World Superbike paddock, principally because there isn't anything to ride.

However, if Paolo Flammini wanted to, he could magic up a competitive motorbike from somewhere and get another ex-premier class rider sitting on his grid alongside the likes of Max Biaggi et al.

Former BSB man Tom Sykes reckons he will be fit enough to take part in the next round of World Superbike tests at Portimao at the end of this month. Sykes came off his Yamaha R1 at more than 100mph during testing at Kyalami after being ill for two days out of three.

He said that although the broken bones in his foot could be problematic when he puts his race boot on, he has been keeping up with fitness training but has had to cut out running.

Former Alstare Suzuki man Fonsi Nieto could well be thrown a lifeline if Jorge Martinez managed to secure running the Kawasaki MotoGP team (see separate story here).

Garry McCoy missed his BE1 Triumph team's first test session in Spain after electing to catch up with family and friends in his native Australia. He will, however, test at Valencia before the official outing at Portimao on January 22. Team-mate Gianluca Nannelli did test and was ok, apparently.

MotoGP 250cc champion Marco Simoncelli has expressed an interest in riding the Aprilia RSV4 at the first two WSB rounds at Phillip Island and Losail following a test in Valencia in December. However, Aprilia have said they couldn't sort out enough bikes in time. Lazy.

Former AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies has said he would have liked to have raced Troy Bayliss because the Australian is the best superbike racer out there.