Knowledgeable sources say that both Eric and Ben Bostrom's names have been mentioned in regards to US Superbike rides for 2003. Both riders are known to be in the mix for the Nick Hayden Honda ride if Hayden does indeed leave the US, but with Eric Bostrom falling and breaking his scaphoid bone in his left wrist, one can only wonder how Honda will view him now.

Bostrom crashed the RC45 several years ago at Daytona in a nasty fall, suffering a broken ankle which kept him out for a great many races. And the scaphoid can be a very slow healing break, although Bostrom has a full two months until the Daytona tire test and nearly six months until Daytona to heal. Just about anything except a decapitation can heal in that time.

Bostrom's manager states: "The injury hasn't seemed to affect us as far as silly season goes. Teams know that Eric rarely crashes and that he's a championship-winning valuable rider; the weekend didn't do anything to change that view."

One thing is for sure: if Eric Bostrom re-signs with Kawasaki and the '03 rules allow '02-style 750cc Superbikes, he will be the all-out favorite for the championship.

As for older brother Ben, WSC sources link him with an Aprilia ride for 2003 or racing here in the US.