Guintoli playing a waiting game, but focused on PATA Honda switch

Aprilia’s number one man in the WSB title standings Sylvain Guintoli, has almost been forgotten in the maelstrom of other Aprilia news. With every passing day it appears less likely there will be an official Aprilia team for him to remain in next year so he has been forced to look at other options.

“I have been speaking with almost everybody but I have got a good vision of what is going to happen,” said a rider who is now only 31 points behind the series lead, with four points scoring races left.

“I am not able to confirm anything to you even regarding the Aprilia side,“ said the popular Frenchman.

Guintoli has not been indicated as an option for Aprilia in MotoGP and he is definite that he would rather stay in WSB anyway, because he knows he can race there to win. “I have tried to do the same as I have tried in the last years – I just want to be somewhere I can win. I want to be surrounded by a team and guys that can give me the opportunity to win. MotoGP for me is not an option, and I do not want to do that. I want to race to win.”

At Jerez he was one of many riders linked to a ride with the official Honda team, and after Pata opted to stay on board as a sponsor, having signed young rider Michael van der Mark in the meantime, Guintoli’s position to be the other rider appears to be a strong one.

There is also a personal link from the past. “I have good memories with Pata because when I parted ways with Effenbert they put something together that was really good for me and the first race we did together I won in Silverstone,” said Guintoli. “It was their first race win as well. They are a great bunch of guys.”

Guintoli should be a good fit on an inline four machine, having raced a Suzuki at BSB and then WSB level in the recent past, and having already proved he can win races on different types of machines – like the Ducati 1098R vee-twin and the Aprilia RSV4.

With Guintoli not appearing to be in the running for the second Suzuki with Voltcom Crescent Racing, the possibilities for him with Pata Honda seem all the more plausible – especially now Michael van der Mark has been confirmed as a WSB rookie for the 2015 season.

“This is one of the top rides and for sure I have an interest in it,” said Guintoli about the Pata Honda. “There is quite a bit to consider as well because with the new rules coming next year, we might see some surprises. Definitely one to consider and I know they have confirmed van der Mark, so they have one young lad already.”