As would any serious professional team!Quote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
As would any serious professional team!Quote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
Really?Quote:
Originally Posted by T-D
I remember Malaysia last year where Ant underperformed because he did not have the motivation after the penalty. Sounds like a quitter to me.
He's no quitter!!
That was a pissy penalty!!
you are comparing relatively different things. ant dropped lap times for a couple laps, tamada parked a perfectly good bike. do you think kwak would have re-signed him had he quit on the team? ant has no sponsor backing, kwak would have never kept him if he dogged it.Quote:
Originally Posted by theugsquirrel
Getting back to the subject of Marco ;) If Ducati have worked through a lot of their very obvious problems and Stoner does well this weekend, then Marco's bike will also be competitive and we'll see him do a lot better. A bit simplistic I know, but...... Anyway I've picked Stoner for a win.
If Stoner wins on Sunday, Marco will really be under pressure if he doesn't get a good result. As well as the media pressure, he would also be second guessing himself. What would make it worse, would be if the satelite team get good results.
NO WAY -- What good is a bike that only one rider (Stoner) can ride. I'm not the biggest Melandri fan however no one would beat him on a works Honda (he pooved that last year by being competetive on a second rate bike) Elias dosen't suck Guintoli dosen't suck,,,Yet they are stuck on straight line drag bikes. The Ducati simply does not turn. cheers to Stoner for being able to find the key to that beast. Max? are you kidding, he couldn't win on the best (at that time) bike on the track.
Pretty good, seeing as Stoner has won races with it. What good is a rider who can't ride it? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Faster1
Utter Rubbish ,, The Ducati is a terrible bike ,,, The best motor isn't enough!Quote:
Originally Posted by neninja
Melandri was competitive on a second rate Honda so you know he has talent.
Max was never flexible so it would be studpid to invite Mad Max to a test ride.
Marco did quit well today!
IF Stoner wins!!! Pleeeeze....Quote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
Marco did very well today..
I thought that just maybe he might have passed KC!!
THAT would have made my night!! :s mokin:
I think that Casey is better than Marco, but now Melandri was solid. When Stoner is 3rd it is OK for Marco to be 5th. The Ducati still need to work harder.
Marco is finally getting sorted on that Duke.
Still, the bike IMO is not fast enough.
Probably the answer is now no more, they need senior riders like Biaggi reinventing the wheel in order the bike suited more for Melandri's style.
Marco needs to share his secrets with Westy...
after reading marco's post-race quotes are people still doubting that ducati are committed to supporting him?
The old saying that actions speak louder than words certainly rings true here. I must admit, feeling that Marco was not up to the task, however, after his result at the Shanghai circuit, perhaps we should have more faith in a rider that has shown in the past that he is gutsy, determined and very talented. The same could be said of Vale, many said that maybe he was past it, or perhaps he will retire, well, HE'S BACK. Lorenzo, thought he would be sitting out the race in Shanghai, well, what a ride, respect where it's due. As for Westy, forget what everyone is saying, just get on that bike and ride it like you stole it, that's the Westy of old that we want to see.
It certainly was a much better showing by Marco, and we are of course only on race four of the season anyway!
And in other Marco related news - he certainly puts the effort in. He was at Oulton Park today (Monday) to drive the course car and present the podium trophies at the BSB round. :up:
Marco was slowest in morning warm up today - 4.5s slower than Stoner and 2.5 slower than Elias in the Alice Ducati (on a dry track). In fact he was lapping slower than the British Superbike front runners from earlier in the year on Pirelli control tyres (which in themselves are probably worth at least 1.5s)
Ducati should give him his marching orders with or without a replacement
Poor old Marco. He is such a great rider, but just can't get used to the duke. He should have stayed put on the Gresini Honda IMO.
Marco marco marco.. where art thou marco ?
It's becoming increasingly obvious that Marco won't be at Ducati next year. 3 seconds per lap difference means something don't gel here. Fortunately he has respectable achievements to lean back on, so he'll probably find another ride next year.
So... who's gonna replace him? Who's off-contract for next year?
Personally I'd get any possible replacement testing that Duc before they sign a contract (if that's possible). That way there won't find out too late that the combination is a dud.
I think everyone is aware and agrees that Marco is an enormous talent, an absolute class act, but his current situation is becoming increasingly bleak and pointless. The bike is clearly capable of so much more than Marco can get it to deliver when he is even outpaced by the Ducati test riders during tests. We are now at the season mid-point with no sign of improvement and I think for all parties that it would be best if he moved aside within the next couple of rounds for Canepa to gain experience.
Melandri should be replaced by Evil Kenivel Jnr, whats his name? Robby or sum .. Yer, he could do a better job than a multiple MotoGP race winner.. Sheeshh, dont get me started..
Should Ducati Replace Melandri Now? Uhm, NO! With who? Gibbernever? I think it's blatantly obvious that the GP8 is a very particular machine that only one massively insane Aussie rider can get the most out of.. Full ing stop...
troy bayliss.
seriously, it's gotta be nicky hayden.
And that's the major sticking point, who would replace him and do a better job. The only guy I can think of who would be worthwhile trialling is Nicolo Canepa. Melandri would probably be the worlds most expensive test rider in history! The dilemma for Ducati is that Melandri shows no signs of any improvement in the near or distant future.Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
Nicky Hayden looks most likely to ride for Ducati next season
I read a rumour that Sete will ride a factory spec bike for Alice/d'Antin and Aspar team will get the 4th Ducati
Chris Vermeulen? Ducati are looking to replace both Melandri and Bayliss, Chris could easily step into either position.
No point bringing Sete back. He couldn't quite get the biccies in his prime, he ain't gonna do it now. But Nicky for sure next year and let Raymond Roche fill in the rest of this year - has experience in GP and for Ducati. :)
Vermeulen would be worth a punt. The Duc appears to suit more physical riders and Chris with his Superbike and Dirt-track background would be half a chance to do well on the red beast. Melandri would be a prize catch for Suzuki too alongside Capirossi.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Phantom
Likewise Nicky though. Hayden is nearly always the rider that spins the bike up the most, still don't think he'd be up there but would definately do better than Marco, hell even I'd have a chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
The fact that both the customer bikes (always much slower than the factory Ducati's based on past history) are massively quicker than Marco is reason enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
His head is fried for this year and he's embarrassing himself and Ducati. Time for him to step back and try to re-assess his future.
Strange, I have always felt that Ducati should stand by someone of Marco's reputation, but now I really wonder if the current situation is achieving anything for either party?
Perhaps the best option is for Marco to walk away and enjoy life for the remainder of 2008 before joining a new team in 2009 with a fresh outlook.
There is a little matter of a two year contract that Marco entered into. Is there a performance clause? Is there another team out there calling for number 33 on its bike in 09? If not perhaps D'Antin has 'found' a new rider.
Marco will be in demand if he is cut free, don't you worry. He is an elite rider and both Suzuki and Kawasaki would chase him hard I'm sure as well as he would come under consideration at Tech3 and Gresini. He will be on the MotoGP grid in 09, just depends which colours he will be in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
I've heard rumours of Vermeulen to Ducati in WSBK. Pretty sweet ride if you can get along with the big V-twin.
Surely Hayden should be on the MotoGP Ducati. I don't know who else would be worth a punt on the Bologna Bullet.
Ducati could also consider bringing Max Biaggi over to Motogp from WSBK, or perhaps get him to replace Troy?
Biaggi is in the Gibernau boat imo. He's had his day in MotoGP and should finish his racing career gracefully in superbike before retirement.
I struggle to see Vermeulen heading to WSB when his whole aim has been to get into MotoGP. In fact, I don't think anyone early or in the prime of their MotoGP career would entertain a switch to WSB, only riders at the end of their welcome through age or performance.