including his current sponsor
Honda? I don't think they sponsor him, do they? They may provide bikes, but from what I've been reading, they're keeping their tentacles far from this kid and his dad.
But I'll bet Honda doesn't touch 'em. It's like getting married--you've got to love the inlaws, too :yikes: --and I'll bet Tony's screwed up a few phone conversations over time. Honda also remembers Mr. Personality (Pichon) and his family. What a winner that deal was. ;)
Another way to think about this goes back to what Lusk told RC a couple years ago. Basically, that Honda takes over and controls everything that's done, with little room for individual opiniion (or something like that) allowed. It didn't work with Windham (in the end), Pichon, Lusk and now RC--who has been well behaved, I'm sure, but is now realizing HRC couldn't give a s... less. Tortelli probably did OK there because he's so passive.
In light of that, ya think they'd want want the Alessi's? :debil: