Well I went to see my first GP live and noticed one thing, first during qualifying then race. Stoner does open the throttle early I mean wow does he wring the neck of the bike. 1st corner of Valencia bar two riders everyone in GP class opens the throttle properly about 75% in to the corner. Rossi was doing that about 60% but Stoner F me at one stage he barely tipped it in to corner and you could suddenly hear whine of that Honda engine and it's TC cutting in I swear he was maybe 30% in to the corner. Saying that Rossis's TC did not work that hard was it because he is smooth or because he did not bother do not know. I had to slightly revise my opinion, Stoner was good on Ducati as he was not trying to work with it he was making it work by force, the least that is how it looks to me. Rossi tries to make bike suit him, Stoner just rides what he has got and tries to improve things that bug him by moaning or suggesting what ever. When Hayden on few good races took Stoner approach he was up at the top till he crashed Also so Lorenzo crashed just behind CRT bike still waiting for him to complain and force use of mirrors.
Have to say I doubt it. I think he is very good and my opinion of him has changed since he was on the Ducati but he is no better that Pedrosa, Lorenzo in the current crop or Marquez who will be a force next year.....
Back in those days they all did. I saw that stated in numerous places by people like Spalders, Parrish etc who would know.....
No worries mate - you are forgiven :wink: I'm watching Moto2 now ... Marquez is great :smile: Can't wait for next year in MotoGP :biggrin:
I think today is a great day. No more dayglow tat on a D16. like Damodice, Kato and a few others who were continually flamed for seeing past the clowns circus, I too said Rossi would be a disaster for Ducati. the Doctor....it seems not Burgess the genius.....it seems not 80 seconds to fix the bike......it seems not Stoner not trying hard enough.....it seems not 90% the rider.......not in his case anyway, certainly true for Stoner. I wonder If Rossi will admit his ego overtook his judgement in throwing the toys out the pram, again and again and again with Lorenzo? I wonder if he will insist on a wall between him and Lorenzo? what is absolutely clear now is that his "history book achievements" were down to little competition, a submissive team mate, preferential treatment in terms of parts ( reference Edwards statement about not having a factory bike in the factory team) and of course the magic tyres flown in overnight. what a total waste of 30 million euros. May as well have spent it on fuel and torched it. lets hope next year is better. shame they didn't go for Cal and Scott.
Can't say I agree enough about Cal & Scott, they both have the grit , talent and balls to rag a bike about and I'm pretty sure they're not the type to ride around waiting for magic to happen. If the bikes not ready then you need riders who'll find that extra % and I'm not convinced ducati have just employed them. dovis a good rider but I'm just not sure....... Wish him well though as we can't change a thing
what a load of not only utter bollocks but also disrespectful to the best riders of the day who lost to him, which included Stoner and Lorenzo. Funny how all the pundits, without question, gush of Rossi's talent but some on here and other forums seem to know better just as some need to redress their gaze from the rose tinted, you could do with taking off the pitch black goggles and giving credit where it is due
With Presiozi soon to be history let's hope we see some improvement next year. In two years and with Burgess, Rossi and top specialist frame builders involved the bike doesn't seem to have got any quicker or easier to ride.
I'm not going to add to the Rossi v Stoner debate as I think we are fed up with it. I'm saying That Ducati are in a mess in racing terms and facing a possible mess in respect of their sportsbike for the road philosophy. If they dont improve with the Desmosedici next year and fail to produce WSB wins with the Pani then look to the value of the Brand/company plumating. If that happens I think there will be major restructering and a quiet spell for a few years.
I have to agree - it is make or break for Ducati over the next few years. Seems to me that in growing they may have lost their way at the moment.
I think with the stick of the MD losing his job and Audi bringing new frame techs on board, there should be significant improvements to the GP bike. I'm not convinced that the composite subframe is going to be a success on the WSB bikes tho. From what I've heard this year, making logical changes to the front suspension doesn't give the expected results. I can't see that changing too much if the teams keep a carbon headstock. If they substituted alloy, maybe, but this may be outside the rules.
