Capirossi’s RCV ultimatum

MotoGP star Loris Capirossi is warning Honda he’ll leave next year if he doesn’t get the same machinery as Valentino Rossi.

Fo the full story on Capirossi’s demands,don’t miss the new issue of MCN, out May 1.

The 28-year-old Italian, riding the two-stroke NSR, has been blown away by Rossi and the five-cylinder RCV four-stroke in the first two GPs of the season.

But Honda remains unlikely to give anyone equal status to Rossi, putting Capirossi in the shop window and rival manufacturers, including Ducati, reaching for their cheque books.

Ducati badly wants a top Italian rider to debut the Desmosedici next year alongside reigning WSB champion Troy Bayliss.

Capirossi admits: “It could come down to me and Max Biaggi at Ducati but that is not certain. If Honda brings out RCVs for satellite teams to run then they will probably just be the same bikes that Rossi and Ukawa are using this year.

” Whoever I ride for next season, it has got to be on a factory bike. If I am riding for Honda I want the same bike as Rossi or I’ll have to move. ”