MotoGP 2013

[ecko_nzed]

Last time we'll ever see Crutchlow on a podium then is my bet.

I'll take that bet

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'll take that bet

Once on a Ducati that is. 1 carton of Steinlager (ie 24 bottles).

[Drew]

Yeah that's a bastard about Crutchlow. I liked seeing his competitiveness - he always wrings the bike's neck, even if it means he crashes. He's been one of the reasons MGP has taken a leap forward this year and now he's going to be spending more time sliding the bike on its fairings and nearly being run over by the CRT bikes.

I'm not so sure he'll spend a great deal more time sliding down the track on his face. He doesn't strike me as someone who rides the front end particularly hard, (compared to others), from what I've seen.

So if he can't get a feel for the vague front end, I think he'll just be slow and consistent.

When Ducati get it right, (and I believe they will eventually), all of a sudden we're gonna see both Dovi and Cal right up towards the front completely unexpectedly by anyone.

[Drew]

Once on a Ducati that is. 1 carton of Steinlager (ie 24 bottles).

Over one, or both years he's signed for?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Over one, or both years he's signed for?

lol. First year with the option of the second!

[Tony.OK]

Until Ducati pull in their "pride" and tighten up the V on that engine they're in trouble. Surely if you really wanted yo have the best of the best you wouldnt be so stubborn to not change the main part of the bike?
Wouldnt it be worth trying?

[pritch]

You may say that Audi's money will make things better next year

It's not just about the money, it's about the engineering and management skills that the money can provide. Ducati now seem to be looking further afield for than Italy and Germany for talent and have hired Australian Warren Willing as a crew chief for one of the lab bikes.

Still, while they make detail changes to the current bike it does seem as if they're trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Here's hoping there's a new bike in the pipeline for 2014.

Funny thing is that may well upset the Ducatisti. They seemed to have nightmares about the Ducati GP bike becoming just another Honda or Yamaha, it seems though that will be what is required to be successful with the current tyre rule.

[sugilite:Me]

With Crutchlow in, I spose Spies is over.

[pritch]

Until Ducati pull in their "pride" and tighten up the V

Honda seem to be doing OK with a ninety degree V?

[pritch]

With Crutchlow in, I spose Spies is over.

No, It's Hayden who got the chop.

[Drew]

Honda seem to be doing OK with a ninety degree V?

It doesn't sit the same reletive to the frame though.

Ducati front slugs point nearly straight forward. There is a consistent opinion that this creates too long a wheel base or something, and the bike lacks front end grip/feel.

I personally think, that if the story is true about Bridgestone's current tyres not suiting it are true, for at least one third of the meetings (because there are three manufacturers), the whole feild should be running on a tyre that does suit the Ducati.

See how that plays out.

[pritch]

It doesn't sit the same reletive to the frame though.

Ducati front slugs point nearly straight forward.

I understood Ducati tilted the engine back a year or more ago.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/01...ng-technology/

[Drew]

I understood Ducati tilted the engine back a year or more ago.

It would appear not.

[Drew]

I understood Ducati tilted the engine back a year or more ago.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/01...ng-technology/

Did you read that? The last couple paragraphs imply that the bike still has the slugs too far forward.

[Mental Trousers]

Oh I agree. And as has been said...maybe none of the other options were ever an option anyway. Guess I'm just surprised a guy that's been going so well is prepared to lose that competitiveness for money. That's assuming the Ducati stays shit. And there's no real sign of it improving so far let's be honest.

No argument from me about that.

EDIT How the fuck did those get quoted??

Anyway, Audi have changed things significantly. Now the organisation is geared to properly testing and and making a prototype that evolves throughout the year, unlike the old Ducati. The current version of the bike that Dovi raced last round has had a whole heap of work focussed on chassis stiffness. That hasn't worked so they're moving onto a different area, hopefully that'll be weight distribution.

Just because Audi didn't pull out a magic wand and make it work in a couple of weeks doesn't mean it isn't going to soon.

Once on a Ducati that is. 1 carton of Steinlager (ie 24 bottles).

How about a carton on a Ducati winning a race next season? I'll bet there's one.