Monday, 30 August 2010 19:03 by Ernesto Emmi

The seat swapping amongst the cream of the MotoGP crop is done, but there are still some very good riders with decisions to make for 2011.  Amongst them is Randy De Puniet, a rider who was starting to show a lot of progress on the LCR-Honda prior to his injury in Germany.

At one point the Frenchman was approached by Suzuki, with Randy being understandably tempted by the offer.  A very healthy salary, and more importantly the chance to finally have full factory status, gave him a lot to consider.  But now it seems as though the talks between the two parties have died down.

“We are trying hard to keep him – Lucio Cecchinello said at Indy – because that would be the best scenario for him and for us.  Randy has seen that we are capable of giving him a competitive bike, while this isn't a given with some of his other options.  As far as our options go, Dovizioso isn't a possibility for LCR at the moment: HRC has decided to move Andrea to Fausto Gresini's team, because they have a single sponsor, San Carlo, while we have sponsorship on a race by race basis.  That will also give Fausto's team two factory RC212V to work with.  It also seems like part of Dovi's salary will be paid by Honda and part by the team."

So it looks like HRC have got their cards in order, and now LCR is waiting on a 'yes' from De Puniet.