Rumours have run through the Italian press that Andrea Dovizioso is in line to replace Nicky Hayden in the factory Repsol Honda team.

This would be a reward from Dovi's unflinching loyalty and refusal to moan at Honda for giving him underpowered 250cc bikes over the last few years.

Honda really do appreciate that sort of thing and whilst it is clearly too early for this to be true it's not entirely ridiculous.

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