MotoGP 2012

**Brian d marge** · 15th August 2012, 23:42

Originally Posted by Shaun

And there is the awnser and the reason behind the sell out, NO MONEY left to borrow to stay afloat

aint that the truth ,,,,writing on the wall??? will we see the Duke in the bucket class????

Stephen

**Tony.OK** · 16th August 2012, 02:31

I wanna see a grudge race post season with Casey and Rossi both on the Ducati...............I know who I'd have my money on, and it wouldn't be an Italian.
It'd be a good marketing show for the spaghetti bike too hahaa!!!

**BIG DOUG** · 16th August 2012, 06:54

Ahh,audi now own ducati so I don't think money or getting the right people will be a problem.

**5150** · 16th August 2012, 11:42

I find this interresting:

"Well here’s some facts for you, Stoner’s record:

2007 10 wins
2008 6 wins
2009 4 wins
2010 3 wins

Some might call that a trend.

Now I very much believe that Stoner rode the hell out of an inferior bike for at least 2 of those years, and that Rossi has not ridden the hell out of his bike. For that alone, Stoner gets kudos. But I think Stoner left Ducati at juuuuust the right time to keep his “god on a desmosedici” status intact. Had he stayed another year, I think a winless season was a very real possibility."

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th August 2012, 11:50

Originally Posted by 5150

Now I very much believe that Stoner rode the hell out of an inferior bike for at least 2 of those years, and that Rossi has not ridden the hell out of his bike. For that alone, Stoner gets kudos. But I think Stoner left Ducati at juuuuust the right time to keep his “god on a desmosedici” status intact. Had he stayed another year, I think a winless season was a very real possibility."

We'll never know. But I think all of the people that said Stoner was a useless development rider can quite safely say they were wrong. It's now more than obvious that Ducati simply won't listen. It's widely believed Rossi is the best development rider in the world. And if he can't sort it out, or even get Ducati to listen/do what he wants/needs...what chance did Stoner have when he was winning races on it?

**denill** · 16th August 2012, 12:12

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

It's widely believed Rossi is the best development rider in the world. And if he can't sort it out, or even get Ducati to listen/do what he wants/needs...what chance did Stoner have when he was winning races on it?

More like - Rossi & Burgess are fhe best development team. BTW what's going to happen to JB?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th August 2012, 12:20

Originally Posted by denill

More like - Rossi & Burgess are fhe best development team. BTW what's going to happen to JB?

That too. Join Rossi back at Yamaha I would imagine. If he doesn't retire.

**pritch** · 16th August 2012, 12:41

Originally Posted by merv

I've always liked Stoner's straight up honest views and its always amazed me others have called it whining or whinging.

One of the podcasts I listened to reported that a lot of people in the GP paddock were pleased Stoner is leaving because of the unremitting negativity surrounding him.

"Straight up"? Not always. He recently fired a rant at Dorna about a rule change when everybody in the paddock knew that the change was initiated at the request of Honda. Apparently he is familiar with the expression, "Do not bite the hand that feeds you."
(Even if he has never quite managed to figure out where the money actually comes from...)

His latest shots at Rossi are mostly fair enough but there is apparently at least one error. People who know more than me maintain that Burgess' quote about it taking 80 seconds to fix the bike was not made in respect of the Ducati or any of the other factory bikes but a satellite bike. Although this statement has often been attributed to Burgess, I'd like to see the original quote.

I think everybody realises now what a brilliant job Stoner did on the Ducati. The fact that Ducati have signed Dovizioso is apparently construed as an indication that they intend to try and fix the bike. Had they signed Crutchlow it would have indicated that they were trying to fluke another Stoner.

Last night I read a short history of champions who had returned to a make where they previously enjoyed success. Not at all encouraging, some won a GP or two but none of those listed won another championship.

I hope Yamaha don't knobble Rossi's bike and that we get to see the best man win. Whoever that may be.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th August 2012, 12:47

Originally Posted by pritch

I hope Yamaha don't knobble Rossi's bike and that we get to see the best man win. Whoever that may be?

I'm with you there! I want to see Rossi and Lorenzo trading paint!

**pritch** · 16th August 2012, 12:59

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I'm with you there! I want to see Rossi and Lorenzo trading paint!

Well the two occasions that spring to mind are some of the most brilliant racing I can recall. There have been moments, like Rossi's pass on Gibernau, or his effort on Stoner at laguna Seca. But those two protracted efforts at Catalunya (and Motegi?) were special.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th August 2012, 13:08

Originally Posted by pritch

Well the two occasions that spring to mind are some of the most brilliant racing I can recall. There have been moments, like Rossi's pass on Gibernau, or his effort on Stoner at laguna Seca. But those two protracted efforts at Catalunya (and Motegi?) were special.

As I've said many times now. Gloves off...Rossi is certainly one of the best if not THE best ever. Although I still think cutting across the dirt in the corkscrew at Laguna is actually outside of the rules! But it sure was a great race all the same.

**Mental Trousers** · 16th August 2012, 15:31

Originally Posted by pritch

I think everybody realises now what a brilliant job Stoner did on the Ducati. The fact that Ducati have signed Dovizioso is apparently construed as an indication that they intend to try and fix the bike. Had they signed Crutchlow it would have indicated that they were trying to fluke another Stoner.

Putting Dovi on the thing, setting up a Ducati Junior team and the management restructure all indicate that they're getting serious about reversing their form of the last few years.

If you can thank Rossi for one thing it's for showing that the current bike really isn't up to the job. Ducati have finally taken that onboard and are doing what is required to fix it.

**Oscar** · 16th August 2012, 15:40

Originally Posted by Mental Trousers

Putting Dovi on the thing, setting up a Ducati Junior team and the management restructure all indicate that they're getting serious about reversing their form of the last few years.

If you can thank Rossi for one thing it's for showing that the current bike really isn't up to the job. Ducati have finally taken that onboard and are doing what is required to fix it.

I'd love to know what the Audi board thinks.

I think the Germans are a safe pair of hands for Ducati business wise, but they don't stand out as a massive investor in motorsport.
The only things I can think of is Sportscars, DTM and their SEAT rally stuff.

**McWild** · 16th August 2012, 17:39

Originally Posted by Oscar

I'd love to know what the Audi board thinks.

I think the Germans are a safe pair of hands for Ducati business wise, but they don't stand out as a massive investor in motorsport.
The only things I can think of is Sportscars, DTM and their SEAT rally stuff.

Uh... LeMans?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rs#Most_Wins_2

Edit: my mistake, I see why you capitalised Sportscars now.