Vinales: “If Dani Pedrosa has signed then I’d think Yamaha would have told me!”

When MoreBikes broke the story exclusively on Tuesday, a full hour ahead of other sites, that Dani Pedrosa was in talks to join Valentino Rossi at Yamaha in 2017 – we knew it would take a while for signatures on contracts to be put in place.

But this afternoon things still seem up in the air. And if you actually hear what the riders themselves are saying from the Le Mans paddock in France, the deal still seems undone (although there is every chance that it could officially be announced by the end of tomorrow’s race schedule).

Here’s a few examples of what’s been said:

Maverick Vinales, speaking today said that: “If Dani Pedrosa has signed for Yamaha then I think they would have told me.”

As the former prime-slotter for the seat vacated by Jorge Lorenzo when he goes to Ducati next year, the current Suzuki makes a compelling point.

However, Honda boss Livio Suppo has denied that Pedrosa is leaving, adding: “Our priority has always been to keep our riders for next year. We talked with Dani and he has confirmed that his future is not certain. If I were to believe all that is written in the press…”

And then there’s been an equally clear denial from the Yamaha camp too, with team boss Massimo Meregalli saying that there has been nothing signed for 2017: “The thing is between Maverick Vinales and Dani Pedrosa and we would decided as soon as possible.”

Pedrosa himself has been keeping quiet about the back-and-forth supposed talks saying that he didn’t want to make any statement on the matter – actually, what he said was that he wasn’t going to say anything today: “Today is Saturday, the race is tomorrow and I have to concentrate on that.

“As I said on Thursday – the situation is the same as in Jerez at the last round. So there is no more to add.

“Every couple of years we have these situations and I know how things are. It’s nothing new.”

Vinales then added: “Really I do not know and so far I have to think that things are quiet now and I will think about the race. On Monday I will think clearly and try to deal with the final step.”

And tonight Vinales believes that HE is still Yamaha’s first choice, saying: “In theory, the top topic of Yamaha is still to have me.”

So whilst other areas of the Spanish press might be reporting that the deal is already done to get Pedrosa on the Yamaha – and others might be reporting that right now to get some clicks – according to the riders and team bosses themselves things aren’t yet set in stone. Get ready though because as soon as tomorrow evening all that could change. It’s all pretty interesting stuff.