You forgot to add why Cappers was so far behind ? Broken bones ? or was it a holiday in the sun nursing a belly ache ? Those one off bridgestone tyres were superb :wink:
Ken , i couldn't agree more. The Everest VR and our beloved Ducati must climb is the combo of multiple factors converging. The perfect storm as a fact. Both Yamaha en Honda ar now reaching hights as a result of a decade of development and ultra fine tuning. This combined with some veery very very talented and ultra motivated riders all coming at their personal pinnacle. To my view, VR's accident back in 2010 is what took the divinity away. Before that, VR was like saved from injury and crashing by a superior force. He got away with everything and was untouchable as the other did fall of again and again. Then he became mortal. And in the twilight zone between work and geniosity, this is what makes the difference... there is a zone where nothing can be analysed or adjusted. everything just happens. and when he fell of, he fell out of this zone. He lost a year. Left (or had to leave) at yamaha, jumped on a bike he didn' like, lost another year. Will lose another year in 2012. And fall further and further away from that groove he enjoyed for 7 years... And as he went backwards, the real competition went forward... If Ducati can't get their hans on Marquez, the will not see the podium in a consistant way for a long time.. And if i am wrong ( which i hope by the way), the VR will once and for all be the greatest ever... the Fangio of motorland
Broken bones for Cappers was 2006. But for them, he could well have been champion that year. The 07 Bridgestone thing is interesting. Michelin shod bikes took 12 poles and half the fastest laps in 2007.
if Donington is a sign of what is to come, we should hope he doesn't! So Duc can develop the Pani in WSBK.
I think Rossi has decided to ride the storm this year, he's had his (perhaps Prima Donna) crisis meetings with Ducati and JB was there too, there is only so much that can be done to develop for Valentino alone? and Val suddenly realise ... maybe I should have stayed with Yamaha .. I can a notte (Italian accent) work witha this Bike, The Italian fairy tale ending is not going to happen. One things for sure, I think this is Jerry Burgess's last season with Valentino, JB got called home last year for his wifes illness with breast cancer (I hope she's well) but next year, I cant see Jerry following Val anymore ... one way or another, Rossi is going to have to make the break or dwindle into oblivion with Ducati again in a Jerry less team?
