Well then, after years of battling between Stoner & Rossi both on track and between fans off it I'm starting to sense from some corners that ideas and perceptions are changing from all concerned. On the face of it Stoner and Rossi seem to have put a lot of the past behind them, I see this from how they are with each other in person now (actually smiling and talking) but also in what they say, it seems much more measured and said with respect for each other. Equally on our front (forum fighters) just recently I've seen a more balanced view at least from those who have half a brain (some remain bitter rivals but I'm sure that's just for fun) Anyway what's bringing me to this is that my thought process has changed dramatically over this last week what with Stoner retiring and I'm considering - What's next? Ive said it before but I'll say it again for those that missed it. I've never not liked Rossi, the banter and rivalry has never been anything about that for me. It's actually been about supporting my number 1 rider in Stoner and just sticking up for the guy as I've seen his rough ride for years whilst many Rossi fans (with due respect) probably missed it due to the arguing between both parties. I actually like Rossi and respect him hugely, it's just some of the more fickle Rossi fans that get on my tits (you know who you are) - Jed 21 Atlanta : Rossi your a fake, you've ruined my life not winning, I want to kill myself.....Go go goooo xxx So from reading a fair few 'other sites' and with general Motogp rumours emerging is it now possible that Rossi could return to Honda when the merry go round takes place in a few months for new contracts? I've read that 'apparently' Rossi's people and Hondas people have at least had a handshake on either a factory seat OR at least a factory supported team set up where his branding can go wild.....l both would make sense from a marketers point of view I guess. But what about the hard core Rossi fan base on here, would you want him to leave for an 'easier ride' or would you rather him now stay at Ducati? For me my minds now made up, I want him to stay. I'll back him 110% if he does but of course while Stoners around I'll still be supporting him , my ideal dream team would be both of them at Ducati but I think that'd take a miracle. So guys what is it for you? Rossi to leave to either Yamaha or Honda? Rossi to stay at Ducati no matter the risk to his legacy? Rossi & Stoner dreamland partnership? Rossi & Cal more likely partnership?
I'd like him to stay and sort the Ducati once and for all but i suspect he is more interested in being a race winner again. Probably dependent on Rossi seeing whether the Ducati is capable of winning a dry race by mid-season.
I would like to see Rossi stay with ducati I think they will be a winning team if not at the end of this season but into the next I'm not a stoner fan he's a great rider though I like watching him in slow motion
make your votes then people remember its not what you think vale wants, It what YOU want that matters here. Thats what this is about, do you want the Brand and the man to succeed or is it just the man
Like most people here, I want the Ducati Brand to succeed.The problem is that none of us knows precisely why this is not happening with two Ex world champions riding the machines. The race results have been abysmal but even when the bike was competitive the only rider who could make the podium was Stoner.In a word your guess is as good as mine.Surely it must be impossible to find a better rider than Valentino, so for the good of Ducati it must be better if he stays and sorts things out.
I think I see that too, respect and even grudging respect, heard too that Rossi donated one of his precious helmets to Stoner as a retirement present ... not sure if that's right?, but in future years when Casey has got his slippers on and feet up in front of the fire and celebrates his daughters birthday, he'll always remember Valentino Rossi too ... wouldn't be surprised if Casey threw Vals helmet in the bin, but hey ho? But yeah, seen a lot of maturing of Casey going on the past two years especially, hardly any tantrums ... maybe the fact he might be getting trained to appeal to the masses pisses him off, I dunno, some say its his wife wants him out of the sport too, so many rumours, only he knows and we have to accept his word and respect that. But for sure Sundays race (and I did watch it live) put a smile on most peoples faces, pity about the the Tech 3 guys, but their turn will come and I'm sure Cal's will especially, but for all those that wrote of Rossi ... just goes to show, and he got that podium fair and square this year, no inheritance ... he'd have still beat Dovi and Cal if they had not fell off IMHO, he was on fire. JB is right to be humble though in his interview, still a lot of work to do but it looks like that kick up the arse Val gave Ducati is starting to work, one thing you can never accuse him of is being a Yes man like Pedrosa ... I think by late summer Valentino and JB (with or without him) will know better what to do for next season, lots more promised work on the Ducati to come and we all know it needs to work better in the dry. So with all due respect mate, I'll not vote in this pole so early, options are limited and might not reflect what happens in even a few races time, its too early to speculate accurately. Also ... I think I see a lot more tolerance in the paddock this year and that must be in part due to the sad death of Marco last year, even these guys at the top realise all the petty arguments they had before are worth nothing when something like that happens ... I think Marco's accident has matured a lot of them and might be a factor in Casey's retirement announcement so early too? Despite my words, i still thing he's great, one of the greatest if not the greatest, but my heart is with Rossi.
I voted for Rossi to stay at Ducati whatever - though I think he'll actually only stay if their dry performance becomes competitive. My second vote was for the Rossi/Stoner dream team. I'd pay good money to see that!
I would like to see Rossi stay and finish the job, I think he'd garner more respect that way. But on the other hand he's demonstrated that he still has the skill to ride at the front, and I'd like to see him overhaul Agostini's victory tally. I can't see Honda taking him back, and I don't see a place for him at Yamaha unless Lorenzo moves on. But the Tech3 Yamaha is right up there with the factories in terms of lap times, and I can see Vale and Cal getting on like a house on fire. So that's how I've voted.
Indeed, Rossi is the biggest draw in Moto GP and motorcycling by far, times and attitudes have changed in Japan too ... I'm sure Honda would love to have him on board one way or another again. Personally I'd like to see him back on an M1 Yam again, we'll just have to wait and see, but we have him for two more years and that's good news what ever way the cookie crumbles.
After what he said about Honda and it being about him and not the bike, that may be optimistic. Lorenzo would be quicker and cheaper. I see VR is now calling him Casey and not Stoner.
How far back are we looking when we say that only Stoner can get this bike on the podium ? Granted he won a championship on it and that commands respect but Capirex loved the old 990 and got results. The ducati will come good and i would like Vale to be on it when it does, he will have been instrumental in that resurgence after all. I hope he doesn't go back to Honda and cannot see any reason why he would think that thats a good idea, and certainly dont think its likely actually. Stick with it i think.
I'll vote after the next 2 days as VR is testing a new engine and new electronics system on the GP12! What you all need to remember is the Show Casey and Vale put on for us on Sunday! I really think Casey was shocked to see Vale mixing with him and that showed after the race with mutual respect! Vale is the big picture in motogp when it comes to the media and tbh i think VR will talk Casey into staying or return in 2014 on the ducati. Vale has changed Ducati in their ways and only Vale would do this! As for Vale leaving Ducati! I very much doudt it, Jerry Burgess will not want to leave untill he's finished with the duke, The clues are in Alex Brigg's tweets on twitter. As for honda! Is it really the best bike :wink:
Ducati last year had massive problems in every sense! (how many times did VR and Nicky crash) This year they only have 2 problems. Under steer and traction out of corners in the dry! I feel these things will be fixed but the rules don't allow them to change engines so we have to wait.
Yamaha and Honda are hard to split. Both have strengths and weaknesses, Ducati has had its problems, but hopefully these are now fixed. I think you are right about VR, in that he will try and talk Casey into staying. I think Casey is pissed at the lack of respect and recognition he is given by race teams and GP fans alike. Some of Rossis fans should hold their head in shame for their behaviour.
I dunno Des. I think that Casey has been racing for so long that it's taken up his whole life. Remember that he came over here to race bikes in a camper van with his family at some ridiculously young age. Euro racers would always go home to mums pasta or paella between races, but the Stoner family just went on to the next round. That has to have an effect on someone. Maybe that's why he's relatively introverted compared to the rest of the 'aliens'. I think he's just looking for a 'normal' life and that once he's done that, he'll be back.
