Matt Mladin, end in sight?

Question

Is this the start of the end of Mladin, I know it says he is signed up for 09. but is he planing to go to Oz 2010

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Apr/080402-09xr.htm

Answer 1

He's certainly kicked American butt the last few years!!!

Good rider shame he never went on the world stage!!

Answer 2

Its hight time that Matt moved on.

I mean, I many times can you do the same things over and over agin ?

He had a little dabble at 500's on the Cagiva in 1993, yes, but he never made a dint really. I think a 7th was his best ever result.

Answer 3

Hi proc

It certainly looks like that might be his intention. And in recent times there's been a bit of a dry spell of talent coming onto the world stage from the Aussie Superbike series.

It used to be a pretty productive breeding ground. Hard to see how Matt can improve that though. Good a racer as he is, I'm not sure that him being back in Oz will make any difference to the talent coming through.

If he does go back, there's somebody to take his shoes with AMA in the form of his rival and team mate Ben Spies.

Disappointingly it looks like Ben won't get a Moto Gp ride in 2009. At least not on a Suzuki. Aparently Jorge Martinez of Aspar says they cant afford them, and even if he could he is planning to go with a Spanish rider. Probably Bautista, in a one bike team.  

Is Ben destined to become the next Mladin? Winning title after title in AMA but never really proving what his full potential is. I hope not.