MotoGP 2016

**denill** · 12th November 2015, 17:01

Originally Posted by pritch

And from left field...

It was reported overnight that Casey Stoner has signed with Ducati as test rider.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2015/Nov/151111mnbcs.htm

**sugilite:Me** · 12th November 2015, 19:21

I would definitely like to see what Stoner could do these days

**carbonhed** · 12th November 2015, 19:31

Originally Posted by sugilite

I would definitely like to see what Stoner could do these days

Absolutely.

**BMWST?** · 12th November 2015, 20:42

CS will not return to Ducati.I think he feels they treated him badly during the lactose thing and there was never much development of the bike.

**puddytat** · 12th November 2015, 20:43

Old whatshis face on his blog was saying that the EU was going to stipulate that from 2017 race machinery would have to meet Euro 3 emission standards.....what is the world coming to

**sil3nt** · 13th November 2015, 07:47

Originally Posted by BMWST?

CS will not return to Ducati.I think he feels they treated him badly during the lactose thing and there was never much development of the bike.

I believe the team has changed quite considerably since then.

**pritch** · 13th November 2015, 09:50

Originally Posted by BMWST?

CS will not return to Ducati.I think he feels they treated him badly during the lactose thing and there was never much development of the bike.

In his book he compares the culture at Ducati unfavourably with that of Honda. He is not alone in criticising the culture at Ducati though.

When he went to Ducati Gigi Dalligna(sp?) said his first priority was to work on communication. I thought that was odd considering the bike was such a dog. Since then though the nature of the problem has become more apparent. The key people at Borgo Panigale were engineers, the key people in the race team are mechanics. The engineers considered that they did not have to take any notice of the team guys because they were "only" mechanics.

One of the mechanics told an engineer that there was a problem with fasteners on the Ducati GP bikes. For example Honda and Yamaha use 10, 12, and 14mm bolts. A mechanic can tell at a glance which is which. Ducati used 9,10,11,12,13, 14mm bolts etc. The mechanic has to look longer to differentiate between them, and will still occasionally get it wrong. That all takes time and, after all, there is a race going on. Nothing was done. Engineers don't need to do what mechanics tell them?

Apparently on his arrival Gigi told the factory people that it was the guys on the team who were driving the effort and if anybody was uncomfortable about that they should leave before they were asked to.

Someone, I can't remember who, commented that the Ducati engineers were offended by criticism of their bike, as if it was an insult. The engineers at Honda in comparison are grateful, the criticism has given direction to their work.

Overnight the head of Ducati announced that they had indeed approached Stoner. They wished to ascertain if he was available next year and if he would be interested in working with them.

**merv** · 13th November 2015, 12:23

Originally Posted by puddytat

Old whatshis face on his blog was saying that the EU was going to stipulate that from 2017 race machinery would have to meet Euro 3 emission standards.....what is the world coming to

Well Ducati have the Audi Volkswagen connection now so no problem they can get the fancy software from them - all their cars make Euro 5 under test no trouble so no worries about old Euro 3

**Crasherfromwayback** · 13th November 2015, 15:54

I'd prefer to see Stoner back racing a Honda against MM and DP...but never mind.

**Mental Trousers** · 14th November 2015, 13:10

Originally Posted by pritch

When he went to Ducati Gigi Dalligna(sp?) said his first priority was to work on communication. I thought that was odd considering the bike was such a dog.

Not odd at all. Leadership is a key component of a team effort. If the leadership is wrong, the team is wrong and the doesn't work. The leadership of the Ducati MotoGP effort were arrogant, took feedback as criticism and refused any advice because they knew better. Given that sort of atmosphere it was no wonder they were producing a bike nobody could ride. In the end even the one guy who could ride it gave up and went somewhere else.

**Tazz** · 14th November 2015, 13:47

With the circus music still playing loud and clear it's looking more likely that there might be a number change in the Yamaha garage next season, or do you guys think 'no way in hell'? Tricky situation.

**Mental Trousers** · 14th November 2015, 18:59

Pretty sure there's going to be a wall down the middle of the garage now.

**jellywrestler** · 15th November 2015, 10:41

did i see them testing next years bikes after the valencia race; on bridgestones, thought they were going to michelins, why wouldn't they start out from the get go with the right tyres?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 15th November 2015, 11:55

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

did i see them testing next years bikes after the valencia race; on bridgestones, thought they were going to michelins, why wouldn't they start out from the get go with the right tyres?

Nah, pretty sure they were all on the French rubber.