Given that 2013 was designed to be a massive year for the Ducati team and one where success would surely follow after a disappointing couple of seasons, then the performance and showing at Sepang left a lot to be desired. Ducati are supposed to be on the road to recovery following an underwhelming 2011 and 2012 so the new year was designed for people like the Kentucky born Nicky Hayden who has been racing for Ducati since 2009 and new recruit Andrea Dovizioso who was brought in from Yamaha to replace Rossi last year, to make it theirs. However, if their showing in Malaysia is anything to go by then it might not be the successful year that Ducati envision. Hayden finished the test in Asia in 9th place on the Desmosedici GP13 and ended up just ahead of Dovizioso. However, they both admit that they are far behind the factory teams from Yamaha and Honda respectively as rookie rider Bradley Smith from Yamaha finished ahead of both as did Dani Pedrosa of Honda. Hardly the most successful start to 2013 for Ducati was it? Indeed, many fans of the Italian company have already been out in force and commenting that a major change in machinery is needed and this seems to be compounded by the fact that Hayden himself admitted that the Desmosedici GP13 hasn't really changed since October of last year. It really begs the question of why and how can Ducati reverse their fortunes in such a short space of time? Whether or not it is a major change to the bike or a mental change to the riders, it is clear that something is needed if Ducati are going to see a change in their fortunes for the year ahead.
What a ridiculous thing to say. Every single rider has struggled on this bike since the 800 era (Stoner excepted of course), so it's stupid to consider that the riders need to change their ways. The bike needs a major redesign. Perhaps Ducati's mindset is the one that needs to change - if only to listen to the riders.
It is a poor statement to make from the factory but it only underlies fundamental problems within the Ducati business model. Given that the only way to influence development of the racing machine is to be in the team, ride the bike or in our case - offer the power of prayer, how can we the observer expect to influence or correct in any way? The only other way is to race our Ducati against other brands (and win), and hope that Ducati Racing can also improve but usually thats because of bad vibes in the pits - also known as bullying. Its also very expensive and dangerous. So the only option left for Ducati Racing is to call on people who have shown promise and talent in the past but they wont do that because it goes against the current ethos that being "if you aren't currently racing then f*** off". Instead you can expect them to hire a Racing Rat for a test rider but when has that ever worked? So with all that in mind the correct statement from Ducati after the lowly results from Sepang should be....? Well, they should not release any statement, they should be silent.
nothing to do with riders management has 3 options possible : 1. continue the frameless bike development. focus on making it flex. 2. start from scratch : completely new engine + frame design 3. retire from Motogp and focus on WSBK. the only thing we know for sure : this bike is a dead end dud.. nice to look at and listen to...
Agree with kope999R, seems logical that after this time that available options have been explored. Maybe that something big is in the pipeline... vorsprung.
Sounds about right, Ducati need to take stock... It's unlikely to win in any major series this year, regroup/focus and come back fighting
There was a write up of all the reasons why the Ducati does not work as a GP bike by top people like Spalders etc etc etc etc etc, (other than when Stoner was lucky and had the fastest 800 on the grid, the only reason he won on it..we all know thats the truth) but as someone said Ducati are too stupid to listen to riders and tech about the problems, they say anything other than what they have will not be a Ducati...daft.... but thats the way they want it so thats that! And the years will roll by and Ducati will fail to win another GP until they see the light and make changes to get a winning bike.. (or until they are lucky and get another Stoner season while the Japs have the pants down again). Off topic but this could be a big FAIL year for Ducati if they dont win at GP,BSB or WSB...
Don't know why but I can't stand the MCN headlines at the mo. "Dire Desmosedici" today, and Rossi is 'back where he belongs', yeah sure - top 3 on Lorenzos Yam. Rossi has got all the skills and capability of a joy-rider. "What needs to be changed?" Divizioso - "Everything" give me a break; ditch the frame, what is an ally beam frame that mainly supports the gearbox and vertical cylinder even doing there?
I think 'back where he belongs' means back on a competitive bike after two seasons on a pile of shit. HTH.
Think you need to go have a lay down and while you're there have a word with yourself; the most ridiculous statement I've seen on this forum, ever
