Those intrepid fans expecting Eric Bostrom to be on a Ducati next year at Daytona may be in for a surprise. Although Bostrom still has over a year remaining on his current contract with Ducati Corse, do not be surprised if he and Ducati work out a separation agreement soon that would see the Northern California rider leave the Italian team.

For the record, no one from either the Bostrom or Ducati camp will give any indication that a split is imminent. Bostrom's camp says he's ready to get back on the bike as soon as he heals from his Road Atlanta crash, and there's only silence from Bologna.

That said, it's tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Bostrom's competitive resurgence on the Ducati. He has another year on his high-dollar contract, but Bostrom will be 28 in November, and none of us are getting any younger. In terms of his career, is there value in him racing the Ducati for another season if his confusion on the bike remains?

Bostrom, even with injury, has had an okay debut season on the 999-he set the pole at Daytona, led the race until the Ducati flat-lined, then won the Colorado round of the series, scoring Ducati's first Superbike win in America in years.

However, when he was unceremoniously ejected from the bike at Atlanta, he didn't seem any more in tune with the Ducati than he did at Laguna Seca. What will the situation be when he gets back on?

If he did leave the team, Bostrom would have no problem obtaining another ride in America. His availability could make other teams dramatically change their plans for 2005. And, as for Ducati, there's always a line of people interested in a ride on the Austin bike; from Lorenzo Lanzi and Giovanni Bussei to such outsiders as Steve Martin, Chris Walker, and maybe even Troy Bayliss.