Big four cautious on 2011 talk

Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa have faced a barrage of questions about their future plans in Le Mans.

But all of them have adopted a cautious approach when discussing their future, with all four out of contract at the end of 2010.

The MotoGP silly season has kicked into action earlier than ever with rumours already rife about Stoner moving to Repsol Honda and Lorenzo to Ducati after just two races of the season.

Reigning world champion Rossi has also been linked with a move to Ducati, though he remains adamant that his priority is to extend his deal with Japanese factory Yamaha for 2011.

Italian Rossi said: “The game has changed a lot compared to five or six years ago. I remember in 2003 when I changed to move to Yamaha we started to speak a lot later in the season.

“Now it is too early but this is the game. For sure it will be a hot moment because the four factory riders are at the end of the contract, so it will be interesting to discover what will happen.”

Pedrosa might be forced out at Honda with the Japanese factory engaged in a strong pursuit of Stoner and Lorenzo.

The triple world champion said: “It is a bit strange to be talking about this after the second race. But this year it seems different to the past.”

Pedrosa, who finished runner-up in the recent Jerez MotoGP, denied he had spoken about his future to HRC and said: “I haven’t spoken to Honda yet about my future.

“I have always had good communication with Honda and I’ve been with them for a very long time. I’ve done many contracts with them, so when the time comes to talk with them, I will speak directly with Honda.”

Pedrosa waged his own personal battle with one prominent Italian journalist who questioned whether the Spaniard was still trusted by Honda to lead its MotoGP effort.

He added: “I don’t know where you get this information from. I have a really good relationship with Honda and I have no problem with them now and as I said, I don’t know where you get this information from.”

Aussie Stoner, who won the 2007 world championship with Ducati, said: “I was asked questions about my future at our team launch right at the beginning of the year.

“All the questions used to start around mid-season. Everybody does seem to be talking a lot earlier. Who signs first is irrelevant. It’s not a decision that can be rushed.

“This is something that my dad as my manager and I will be thinking about a lot and we will see what happens.

“Every rider is talking but I really want to try and win this championship again and this is the most important thing for me right now.”

Current MotoGP world championship leader Lorenzo said: “Questions are being asked already after two races about the future and maybe it is too early for that.

“I’m just concentrating on the championship. I have my manager to sort out next year.”