Cameron Beaubier naaar WSBK, VDM naar de GP.
There are former Grand Prix and World Superbike riders who are capable and available, but considering Tech 3’s history of bringing young and emerging talents (including Folger, Johann Zarco, Pol Espargaro, Cal Crutchlow and Ben Spies) into MotoGP it seems that calling in an older, veteran rider would not be Poncharal’s first choice. So who is a potential candidate? The popular speculation is that Poncharal, working in coordination with Yamaha, may bring in former Supersport World Champion and current Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael Van Der Mark, who filled in for Folger in 2017.
Yamaha in theory could then fill Van Der Mark’s seat on the Pata Yamaha team with another Yamaha Superbike rider, like 2017 FIM Endurance World Champion Niccolo Canepa or two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier, and then move another Yamaha-contracted rider up to backfill any opening that leaves. In the case of Beaubier, Yamaha has four-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion (and former Tech 3 MotoGP fill-in rider) Josh Hayes to replace Beaubier on the Monster Energy/Yamalube Yamaha MotoAmerica Superbike team.