I would love to see him stay and make the Ducati competitive again, to me that means returning to the frames they know and understand, the engines are already the best (the speed traps tell us that), but can those in charge swallow their pride and take that backwards step and admit their mistake. We would all love to see Vale back on the top step with that famous grin beaming out over the fans, for those who think he has lost it, I agree his body language is not right but would you push to the limits he has to with a bike that you know doesn't handle as you want it to? If they can sort out the problems and get even a single win under their belts then I think you will see a total transformation in him. if I were Vale I would want assurances from high up that they will spend however much it takes to get the chassis right, if they weren't forthcoming then I would probably go and knock on Ferrari's door.
A trellis frame can't really be made stiff enough to make the tyres work yet provide the feedback that it's been famous for. ALL of The CRT teams have complained that their bikes are having the same problems (but at a slower pace) - Despite 'prototype' chassis/suspension, they are struggling to match times of superbikes with the same engines ....... if they set up the chassis/suspension so the rider gets feedback, then the tyres don't work properly: Stiffen everything up to torture the tyres into giving better grip, and all the feedback goes, so the riders are simply sitting on a rigid girder praying that the electronics catch any wheelspin before they crash ..... that's not riding, it's lunacy. It's why older more experienced (in my view, better) riders are not performing well - they do not trust the electronics as much as many of the younger riders who have grown up with it. Did you see any of the slo-mo's of Stoner trying to hold onto the Honda whilst the onboard gizmos try to reign in the power delivery? VR simply hasn't got it in him to put that much faith in electronics ..... especially given it's Italian origin :wink:! Develop the Moto2 dunlops for use on the CRT's and I'll bet they'd win races!
Motogp is changing - it has to - and new rules will come out in the off-season to bring the gap between works and CRT bikes closer. This isn't crystal-ball reading, we already know this is what's going to happen, the big bosses already said this is going to happen. I strongly believe the bike Rossi is riding will form the basis of a customer bike for future seasons (remember, it doesn't have to be a converted road bike, just not a prototype with works backing). Rossi, I believe, would have jumped ship long ago if it was just a case of the bike not working. So Rossi will stay at Ducati. And Hayden will stay. And Cal will be riding a Ducati next season...
Much as I think TB is and was an excellent racer...I dont thing the term GOAT can be applied to him, or anyone other than Giacomo Agostini......15 World Championships, TT wins, different manufacturers, 2 strokes, 4 strokes, 3 cylinder, 4 cylinder, drum brakes, disc brakes.......sorry, he's the GOAT in my opinion.......
Well I say good riddence to the bloke, he's done absolutley nothing for Ducati , all this bollox about being the goat and the greatest development rider around,and look how he sorted out the honda then the yam and you watch how he'll get the Duke sussed. Complete BOLLOX. Has he ever won on a second string bike , he and burgess are complete wankers IMHO , it's the designers of these bikes that make em work not the riders and especially not their chief tech twat . Give me a rider anyday that will win on anything remotely competitive ala Casey. IMO it is better for the manufacturer to have race wins (and a championship) with a rider who is NOT PR savy (or gives a shit) than it is to have what we have had to endure these last 2 seasons, dont tell me thats been better for Ducatis PR than Casey. Now I pray Ducati will persuade him to Jump straight on the bike Rossi has been riding and win a race on it next season ,but I wont hold my breath why should Stoner change his plans for a company that shafted him, IMHO.
Fingers crossed. I rememeber his Bye Bye Baby T-Shirt and how he thanked the bike at Valencia 2010, I cant see that being mirrored. I expect the Ducati dealers will be slashing the prices of the Ronald McDonald fancy dress attire very soon.
I hope he goes. It's far too much pressure for Ducati to have Rossi around and true - I really can't see what he has brought to the party. If he can't bury Hayden, then he's not earning his salary. I bet they don't earn the same. Ducati save €17m if he goes (well, less, but you get the idea). I like Rossi, but I've never trusted him since he started to pick fights with anyone who looked as if they would challenge him (e.g. Gibernau). I'd quite like to see Lorenzo whip him on the same bike. And I'm pretty sure he will (like I'd put money on it at Ladbrokes). Rossi is a master, but it is time he got off his cloud.
If Rossi's no good, why on earth would Ducati be offering him seventeen million euros to stay? Eh? Could be there's an underlying reason. Maybe he is worth that much in advertising revenue; maybe he isn't working on the bike you think he's working on; maybe he's sorted the bike...for next season...
Hes already stated that €17m is complete tosh and he's been offered less than his current contract based upon his results to date, likewise Yamaha are offering a measly (lol) €3-4m per year plus he has to bring sponsorship with him, the debate includes whether he can also retain his current crew if he jumps ship
I just wish he'd make a decision soon and put us all out of our misery. If he signs for yamaha or honda he'll be a traitor to every red-blooded Italian and if he stays he'll be damned because he can't ride the bloody thing. Poor bloke can't win really can he? He has nothing to prove to anyone after nine world titles. Perhaps he should just hang up the leathers, huh?
