The boiling Paddock!

We're only one Grand Prix from the end of the season and already there's a lot to talk in the EWC paddock regarding what riders will be switching teams for 2013…First of all, let's check the list of free agents and those still under contract for the next season.Free AgentsOf those that are no longer under contract at the end of the season, the list is long – David KNIGHT (GB), Johnny AUBERT (F), Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F), Simone ALBERGONI (I), Eero REMES (SF), Joakim LJUNGGREN (S), Marc BOURGEOIS (F), Thomas OLDRATI (I), Romain DUMONTIER (F), Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E), Matti SEISTOLA (SF), Rodrig THAIN (F), Sebastien GUILLAUME (F), Jeremy TARROUX (F), Nicolas DEPARROIS (F), Jeremy JOLY (F), Luis CORREIA (P), Oscar BALLETTI (I)... special case, Gas Gas has released Ivan CERVANTES (E) from the third year of his contract, at his request. He thus finds himself in the list of free agents ... and desirable to many team ma nagers!ConfirmedBefore the EWC Scandinavian tour some riders had their contracts extended. Mathias BELLINO (F) and Oriol MENA (E) continue with Husaberg in 2013, while Cristobal GUERRERO (E) has also extended his association with KTM. Aigar LEOK (EST) decided to continue his adventure with TM.The rumours…KTMFor the Austrian brand, the team is already half made. The two 2012 World Champions of Antoine MEO (F) and Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) still have one more year on their existing contracts while Cristobal GUERRERO (E) has extended his. This leaves two or three places to fill in the Fabio FARIOLI run team. There are many rumours surrounding the return of Ivan CERVANTES (E) on a KTM, but nothing is done ... and also with regards the resigning of Johnny AUBERT (F), David KNIGHT (GB) and Eero REMES (SF) or the arrival of Kurt CASELLI (USA). One thing is sure – the KTM Farioli team will have some new faces in 2013.HusabergMathias BELLINO (F) and Oriol MENA (E) will be there next year, probably in E3. It remains for team manager Thomas GUSTAVSSON to finalise deals with Pierre-Alexandre RENET and Joakim LJUNGGREN. We also hear in the paddock that Eero REMES would be very close to an agreement to ride in E1 with the new FE 250!CH RacingTwo riders are sure to be kept next season – Juha SALMINEN (SF) and Alex SALVINI (I). For his part, Fabrizio AZZALIN (manager) would want three racers. So it looks like being so long to Lorenzo SANTOLINO and Roman DUMONTIER? The team manager from Varese is in talks with Matti SEISTOLA for an extension of his contract but we also know that Pela RENET is a rider the Husqvarna team has is their sights!HM HondaIt is unclear what will happen inside the team from Milan. Rodrig THAIN and Simone ALBERGONI are free of contract and for the moment there are no talks. Will Franco MAYR (Manager) hit a great shot on the transfer market this season? Or will he choose the path of wisdom? TMAntti HELLSTEN (SF) is still under contract and Aigar LEOK has extended his. The team managed by Luca CHERUBINI should not make major changes even if we know that a third rider is desired. TM is very interested in Luis CORREIA and also Marc BOURGEOIS... or Thomas OLDRATI?ShercoAt Sherco, everything is already done for next season and there will be two teams! The Sherco official team will be made by Fabien PLANET, which should run on the new 300 in E3 along with Jeremy TARROUX riding in Enduro 1. The other Sherco team will be managed by Fred COLLIGNON (Moto Pulsion) who leaves Kawasaki. Indeed, Moto Pulsion turned to Sherco and Julien GAUTHIER (F) will compose the team with a future ex-Crossman Anthony BOISSIERE (F). The MX rider is expected to make his EWC debut during the 2012 Finale in Brignoles!Bordone FerrariJonathan MANZI (I) and Edoardo D'AMBROSIO (I) still under contract, we heard that Renato FERRARI (co-founder) would be willing to do something big in the market... Gas GasIn Gas Gas, only Laïa SANZ (E) is still under contract. The rest of the team is free! The Catalan company is still negotiating with Ivan CERVANTES while it is murmured that Jordi FIGUERAS (E) could be the new manager. Another rumour in Gijon, the possible arrival of Rui GONCALVES (P) the rider entered this season in the MX1 World Championship! Sebastien GUILLAUME could still run on Spanish machines in 2013.BetaNothing is confirmed from Beta Racing except their desire to have three riders in 2013. They are seeking an E3 racer to ride on their new 300...David KNIGHTAt the end of his contract, it seems that Fabio FARIOLI doesn't want to keep the Manx rider in the official KTM team. But KNIGHTER would have other proposals... Next season we could see the rider on a 450 Honda or why not on a Kawasaki!Ivan CERVANTESAs reported Gas Gas has released "el Torrito" from the last year of his contract year. A come back to KTM and also a possible future with Honda seem to be the two most serious options.Jeremy JOLYThe 2011 Junior World Champion is seeking an official team for next season ... Might he consider offers from the Swedish teams Husaberg or Johansson Mpe? Others rumours…Two other crossmens could know the EWC paddocks next year. It would be Loïc LARRIEU (F) and Jonathan BARRAGAN (E) ... with Anthony BOISSIERE and Rui GONCALVES!Romain DUMONTIER (F) could create his own private team if he did not find any deal in an official team...Communication Enduro World Championship - www.enduro-abc.com - 

Source: http://www.fim-live.com/en/media/news/news-detail/article/1346940572-the-boiling-paddock/

Rex Avery Masao Azuma