Reigning Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias is having a nightmare year in MotoGP on board the RC212V, and the results this disastrous season has become so conflictual, that the Spaniard, not only wasn’t allowed to test on Monday at Mugello, but has been given three races to turn his situation around before getting the boot, because the team is at risk of loosing their much needed sponsors.
Talking to Catalunya Radio, LCR Honda press officer Oscar Haro said that Elias has three races, Sachsenring, Laguna Seca and Brno to turn the critical situation around or he could face the axe, “Mugello was a disaster, Toni realized he didn’t go well.
In Germany, the settings will be restored to the ones that HRC says and the the team will do the technical part and Toni the role of rider.
The RC212V is more than a competitive bike and the only one that isn’t going well is his.
”Haro is refering to the fact that Elias has been on the outs with his crew chief Christophe Bourguignon, who has been trying to persuade the Spanish rider to use certain set-ups, with Elias demanding others; with the result that his crew is no longer forcing their opinions on the him, but they certainly haven’t been helping, leaving him to work out his set-ups by himself, but now Elias will have to bow down to the needs of Cecchinello and his sponsors or end up without the saddle, that Carmelo Ezpeleta insisted he have.
Who could eventually replace Elias? That’s a million dollar question, because finding a suitable substitute rider mid- season who has experience on a 800cc MotoGP is no mean feat, as teams with injured riders can attest.
