Capirossi stays

 Loris stays at Ducati.

Which leaves Sete and Max where?

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 Julian Bond wrote:

Still another seat open there. This from a blurb on the signing:
"Capirossi is believed to have signed without any vetoes in his contract
demanding status as the number one rider, something that would place
both factory riders on equal footing." and "There is still no
confirmation of who will partner "Capirex" on the Desmosedici GP-6 for
the 2006 campaign, but the team are not denying that they have spoken to
Sete Gibernau. The Spaniard is not prepared to make any comment on his
future at this time, but, the rumors are strong. It is not beyond the
realms of possibility that Gibernau could remain with the Gresini team
next season, especially if Fortuna decamp from Yamaha to back the
satellite Honda team, internal politics at Honda not withstanding."

Max seems more likely at Pons, I'd guess, particularly if Sete leaves. I
doubt that Honda wants to lose both of their experienced guys, and they
have essentially confirmed that. Of course, he could also end up at
Gresini, particularly if Camel ended up there. If Sete goes to Ducati
and Fausto lands Fortuna, then it's probably Elias or Checa next to
Melandri. In any case, the odd man out in this Honda game looks most
likely to be Barros, but that's far from certain. Sito is already
running is own mini version of the BSB retirement home, so a Max and
Alex pairing wouldn't be a shock. That all rides on Vermuelen's
immediate future, of course.

 
If they've signed Loris, I can't see them paying Sete's wage demands.


It seem pretty likely that Vermeulen will stay where he is.

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 Julian Bond wrote:

If they re-signed Capi for the reported 3 million,(1 year) I don't see
Ducati being able to afford Sete either. Chris V. will be on a Honda
satilite team somewhere in GP I would think...

 T3 wrote:

I have a little bit of a hard time believing they're paying him that
kind of money, but if they are maybe that's an indication that they're
not that close to getting Gibernau and don't want to be left high and
dry. But regarding signing Gibernau for the reported $4M (was $5M last
year, and that doesn't factor in exchange rates), it really comes down
to Marlboro, doesn't it? If they were up for Checa, I gotta believe
they'd be hotter on Gibernau, and if he serves their marketing purposes,
$4M is a drop in the bucket.

Regarding Vermuelen, I would still bet it's close to even money that
he'll land in GP next year. The only way he stays in WSB is if Honda
wants to make a big reentry there, and if Sete and Max stay in the Honda
fold. And Dorna isn't going to go with no Aussies in GP next year. The
Byrne rumors at D'Antin smack of the same deal as he had with Roberts
this year, which shows how Dorna likes to keep their constituencies happy...