The end of the Honda 'factory' team

[racer69]

After two decades or so as being the 'flagship' Honda team, will the Repsol team (of course once upon a time the Rothmans Honda team) still be the main Honda team this year?

Without Rossi, will the team still get all the new bits first at the expense of others etc...or will it become a level playing field between the Repsol, Movistar and Camal teams?

[Winther]

Ah but maybe it is time for some change

[Alex K]

Wait, please wait if Barros is coming on-board it could be just beginning . But... Gresini and Pons have dream line-ups, (AT LEAST) two front runners. But even without Rossi, four main crew members of #46 bike squad, Barros is THE guy who canm change things uop the order...
So, please wait until you'll reach final judgement

But if the second rider is not Barros nor Abe then it is completely different story. I doubt if Hayden will be THAT good to fight for Championship as some of you guys predict, not this season...

[BootsOntheSide]

With Gibernau and Biaggi on the other bikes, Edwards likely to be at least as competitive as hayden, and only the comparatively past-it Barros in contention for teh Repsol ride, it seems to make little sense to give them works backing this year, unless their engineering staff is significantly better.

[gomick]

hayden is a class act

[chunder]

Think the deal is already done for the factory team. They are the official HRC team so will get the goodies.
Only time that ws different was when Rossi turned up in 500's. If you remember Criville was world champ I think and chumped in big style, HRC gave him a chance to prove himself and then put all their weight behind Rossi on the Honda Italy Nastro machine, building him a new frame and stuff.
That might happen here if Hayden/Barros go nowhere. Maybe the top HRC brass might start veering towards Max/Sete/Colin in their opinions.
Max has always wanted the best stuff so might get his chance, though it has to be said that the Honda is such a better bike than anything else that it looks like HRC won't need to do much to stay on top

[Gerrit]

It is still uncertain whether Barros will actually join Honda............

[f1manoz]

Honda have confirmed their interest in Barros and that negotiations continue, but technically they are still on the look-out for a rider to partner Hayden.

IMO Repsol Honda will still be the no. 1 factory squad. However, I think that Honda could be fair game and give the same equipment to all their teams.