2026 Silly Season

aeffertz
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5/23/2025 9:56pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2025 9:59pm
truck wrote:
Also claimed he has factory options. I wonder if he'll take low salary to stay on factory team so kawi or someone else keeps him on...

Also claimed he has factory options. I wonder if he'll take low salary to stay on factory team so kawi or someone else keeps him on as third guy at bargain price? 

aeffertz wrote:

Yeah I’m just curious if he’s limiting himself to factory rides only, how many seats are even available at this point. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What non factory ride would you suggest he entertain?

Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on a factory team vs. going on a satellite team. I guess my point was it seems like the factory slots are nearly filled up and just wondering where he could go. 

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chasetwo79
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5/23/2025 10:09pm
aeffertz wrote:

Yeah I’m just curious if he’s limiting himself to factory rides only, how many seats are even available at this point. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What non factory ride would you suggest he entertain?

aeffertz wrote:
Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on...

Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on a factory team vs. going on a satellite team. I guess my point was it seems like the factory slots are nearly filled up and just wondering where he could go. 

What podium guy outside of a Shane in the mud or Kenny on HEP on those programs hits the podium with any multiples in a year? 

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ando
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5/23/2025 10:09pm
aeffertz wrote:

Yeah I’m just curious if he’s limiting himself to factory rides only, how many seats are even available at this point. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What non factory ride would you suggest he entertain?

aeffertz wrote:
Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on...

Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on a factory team vs. going on a satellite team. I guess my point was it seems like the factory slots are nearly filled up and just wondering where he could go. 

Yeah I mean even Eli is left with limited options for 2026.  Seems like KTM and Ducati are the only options left for anyone right now.

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ando
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5/23/2025 10:12pm
chasetwo79 wrote:

What non factory ride would you suggest he entertain?

aeffertz wrote:
Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on...

Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on a factory team vs. going on a satellite team. I guess my point was it seems like the factory slots are nearly filled up and just wondering where he could go. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What podium guy outside of a Shane in the mud or Kenny on HEP on those programs hits the podium with any multiples in a year? 

Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.

I guess we can hypothesise about satellite/factory support teams but that would be contrary to what he’s seeking.

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The Shop

chasetwo79
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5/23/2025 10:28pm
aeffertz wrote:
Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on...

Club, Quad Lock, Phoenix, HEP. But like someone else said, maybe he would be willing to take a lot less to be a third man on a factory team vs. going on a satellite team. I guess my point was it seems like the factory slots are nearly filled up and just wondering where he could go. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What podium guy outside of a Shane in the mud or Kenny on HEP on those programs hits the podium with any multiples in a year? 

ando wrote:
Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.I...

Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.

I guess we can hypothesise about satellite/factory support teams but that would be contrary to what he’s seeking.

The guy said today that he's got options on factory teams and it's all he's seeking while laying out a clear reason why and people on here are telling him to go sign with teams he feels are below what he wants. That's all I'm arguing. He doesn't want to sign at any of those teams listed and clearly says he has options that align with that mindset. 

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aeffertz
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5/23/2025 11:11pm Edited Date/Time 5/24/2025 1:26am
chasetwo79 wrote:

What podium guy outside of a Shane in the mud or Kenny on HEP on those programs hits the podium with any multiples in a year? 

ando wrote:
Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.I...

Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.

I guess we can hypothesise about satellite/factory support teams but that would be contrary to what he’s seeking.

chasetwo79 wrote:
The guy said today that he's got options on factory teams and it's all he's seeking while laying out a clear reason why and people on...

The guy said today that he's got options on factory teams and it's all he's seeking while laying out a clear reason why and people on here are telling him to go sign with teams he feels are below what he wants. That's all I'm arguing. He doesn't want to sign at any of those teams listed and clearly says he has options that align with that mindset. 

I’m not saying he should do anything. I’m just trying to do the math and I’m struggling to see where he has “multiple factory offers” if none of those teams are in the cards.

Take his name out of it, what factory rides are available for next year without creating an additional seat?

2
JDub067
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5/23/2025 11:55pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2025 11:56pm
ando wrote:
Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.I...

Not sure what you’re arguing here?  Anderson himself said he only wants a factory ride and on the surface there don’t appear to be any available.

I guess we can hypothesise about satellite/factory support teams but that would be contrary to what he’s seeking.

chasetwo79 wrote:
The guy said today that he's got options on factory teams and it's all he's seeking while laying out a clear reason why and people on...

The guy said today that he's got options on factory teams and it's all he's seeking while laying out a clear reason why and people on here are telling him to go sign with teams he feels are below what he wants. That's all I'm arguing. He doesn't want to sign at any of those teams listed and clearly says he has options that align with that mindset. 

aeffertz wrote:
I’m not saying he should do anything. I’m just trying to do the math and I’m struggling to see where he has “multiple factory offers” if...

I’m not saying he should do anything. I’m just trying to do the math and I’m struggling to see where he has “multiple factory offers” if none of those teams are in the cards.

Take his name out of it, what factory rides are available for next year without creating an additional seat?

HEP is all I can think of- if they have made Ken so happy this will give confidence to JA

Eli will go to KTM because he doesn’t have time on his side to burn a year or two on development. It’s late in the game, I’d put Hombre in this group to a slightly lesser degree

Hombre has been smart with his money, the decision won’t need to be a financial one. 

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LP31
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5/24/2025 3:14am

There are no factory teams left with rides available

Yamaha sorted

Honda sorted

Kawi Chase and Prado

KTM Eli, Vialle, AP7

Gas Gas assume done

Huski RJ

Triumph Mookie Rockstar

Ducati Barcia/ Ando

HEP Ken / Ando

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Spoonguy
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5/24/2025 4:10am

I don't think we should look at the silly season in relation to how this season appears, there are just too many variables. There are no laws stating factory teams have to have two 450 riders, or who sponsors the team. Bajaj owns KTM group now, Ducati is fabulous in MotoGP and WSBK about cultivating sponsors and satellite teams, and there are a bunch of very visible popular well sponsored factory riders looking for bikes, guessing who goes where based on the current format may be short sighted. I know it is getting late for rides, but who can accurately even guess who goes where? One thing for certain it will be interesting.

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mb60
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5/24/2025 9:54am

Again this has been talked about the last 4 months. Until Sexton announcement to Kawi the rest is just speculation. Maybe Anderson ends up somewhere sx only. 

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Zucchini Nibs
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5/24/2025 10:10am
mb60 wrote:
Again this has been talked about the last 4 months. Until Sexton announcement to Kawi the rest is just speculation. Maybe Anderson ends up somewhere sx...

Again this has been talked about the last 4 months. Until Sexton announcement to Kawi the rest is just speculation. Maybe Anderson ends up somewhere sx only. 

Not at Yamaha, but I could see something similar to ‘21 when Mookie was SX only for Star

dhp_mma94
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5/27/2025 2:04pm

do wht yal want with stevo’s update 

IMG 9683.jpeg?VersionId=LvipuP6gGRvlKnqE
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1
5/27/2025 2:27pm
dhp_mma94 wrote:
do wht yal want with stevo’s update 

do wht yal want with stevo’s update 

IMG 9683.jpeg?VersionId=LvipuP6gGRvlKnqE

I would agree.

1
5/27/2025 3:25pm
aeffertz wrote:

Yeah I’m just curious if he’s limiting himself to factory rides only, how many seats are even available at this point. 

chasetwo79 wrote:

What non factory ride would you suggest he entertain?

Sully wrote:

Club would probably be the best option. 

Club is a good bike when they run.

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ohh_454
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Fantasy
5/27/2025 4:53pm Edited Date/Time 5/27/2025 4:53pm

Barcia to Club would be cool. Anderson on a Twisted Tea Suzuki would be cool too. 

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1
5/27/2025 5:01pm

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

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visser62
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5/27/2025 5:59pm
You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike...

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

Antonio Cairoli?

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bens 152
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5/27/2025 6:08pm

I know Eli is so good on the Yamaha, and it makes too much sense at this point in his career. 

But the people telling him to take pay cuts to stay is insane. The guy is one of the best riders we have had in this sport, the resume is incredible. The risk he takes lining up everytime, you really think he should take a pay cut? 

Who takes a pay cut when you are at pinnacle of a career in real life, just to stay with a company who doesn’t want you? Ridiculous. If they don’t want to pay your worth - you go. It’s that simple.

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Chris_Buehler
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5/27/2025 6:22pm

Dark just said on his Vital podcast that he had insider info Eli is already signed somewhere 

5
3
5/27/2025 6:22pm

Dark just said on his Vital podcast that he had insider info Eli is already signed somewhere 

Red Bull KTM my guess 

Chris_Buehler
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5/27/2025 6:24pm

Dark just said on his Vital podcast that he had insider info Eli is already signed somewhere 

Red Bull KTM my guess 

My guess too

1
5/27/2025 6:29pm

Anderson back on a Suzuki to finish out his career would be cool. IMG 4732 0.jpeg?VersionId=z.c8Kd7hXsygGVHSJ

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Sully
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5/27/2025 6:49pm
You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike...

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

visser62 wrote:

Antonio Cairoli?

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that Cole Seely and possibly Marv were going to be doing the testing for TLD, too. Not sure if that true or not, but if it is, that's three dudes with a lot of knowledge on setting up a motorcycle.

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ohh_454
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5/27/2025 7:12pm
You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike...

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

Troy said they have Seely on the bike I thought and maybe there’s more of a Musquin connection than just gear?

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1
5/27/2025 7:22pm
You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike...

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

visser62 wrote:

Antonio Cairoli?

I’m sure Cairoli has been great but I was thinking more on the supercross side of things. Sounds like they have a few guys testing the bike here though. I wasn’t aware of that.

ando
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5/27/2025 7:57pm
bens 152 wrote:
I know Eli is so good on the Yamaha, and it makes too much sense at this point in his career. But the people telling him to...

I know Eli is so good on the Yamaha, and it makes too much sense at this point in his career. 

But the people telling him to take pay cuts to stay is insane. The guy is one of the best riders we have had in this sport, the resume is incredible. The risk he takes lining up everytime, you really think he should take a pay cut? 

Who takes a pay cut when you are at pinnacle of a career in real life, just to stay with a company who doesn’t want you? Ridiculous. If they don’t want to pay your worth - you go. It’s that simple.

On its own that's probably a sensible take.  But if you are pretty much at the end of your career, the available options aren't ideal and you still want to ride then you might start considering other deals.

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Money
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5/27/2025 8:21pm

Dark just said on his Vital podcast that he had insider info Eli is already signed somewhere 

I said this last week. It’s orange 

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1
Money
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5/27/2025 8:22pm
You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike...

You would think Ducati would want one good test rider. Someone that is known to understand the process and is able to articulate what the bike needs. Some guys are notoriously bad at setting up bikes.

ohh_454 wrote:

Troy said they have Seely on the bike I thought and maybe there’s more of a Musquin connection than just gear?

Cole has been at the Sx tracks in corona on the Ducati 

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1
MXracr157
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5/28/2025 5:23am
Money wrote:

Cole has been at the Sx tracks in corona on the Ducati 

Some video would be sweet!!

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MXracr157
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5/28/2025 5:24am

Dark just said on his Vital podcast that he had insider info Eli is already signed somewhere 

Daaaarrrrrrrrrrk.......

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