MotoGP 2013

**Drew** · 2nd August 2013, 18:25

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

With all due respect to HRC and Honda...neither Stoner nor MM are/were hard to spot as massive talents.

Marquez was a gamble though, it's just paying off sooner than they expected I think.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 2nd August 2013, 18:27

Originally Posted by Drew

Marquez was a gamble though, it's just paying off sooner than they expected I think.

I dunno mate. LIke many I'll bet...I wasn't a fan at first. Too fucking dangerous at times. But watching him more closly last year...some of the things he did coming all the way through the pack etc...I started to realize how special the kid is/was. Then after his first few tastes of the big gun...I think the writing was on the wall.

**BMWST?** · 2nd August 2013, 18:28

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Yeah sorry. Don't mean to be mean...but he adds nothing to the series.

Early days mate its his first bloody season!

sent from the tag

**Crasherfromwayback** · 2nd August 2013, 18:29

Originally Posted by BMWST?

Early days mate its his first bloody season!

sent from the tag

So I keep hearing mate! Maybe he's there to give all other gingas hope in life.

**Reckless** · 2nd August 2013, 18:33

Rumour abounds

Via Facebook from the aussies

Australian Motorcycle News
Like This Page · 6 hours ago

DID YOU REALLY?
It hasn’t been made officially official, but the BBC’s Azi Farni is reporting Cal Crutchlow will announce his move to Ducati overnight. We know the bloke is oozing talent, but is it enough to tame the Italian prototype? If nothing else, it’ll be good to see him and Dovi bashing fairings again.

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Personally I think jumping from a 3rd position bike to a 7th position bike would be an error!! Its quite well noted that Tech 3 want to keep him!!

**Reckless** · 2nd August 2013, 18:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I dunn mate. LIke many I'll bet...I wasn't a fan at first. Too fucking dangerous at times. But watching him more closly last year...some of the things he did coming all the way through the pack etc...I started to realize how special the kid is/was. Then after his first few tastes of the big gun...I think the writing was on the wall.

I think your right! Shit did I say that

haha no one knew (even himself) I would guess?? but you can't take away Actual results they speak for themselves.

You can never take Rossies 9 championships or the fact he still has passion for the sport.
and you can't take away the results MM already has.
I'll eat my words about him earlier because he has not been dangerous or got himself injured, hes been patient, learnt and won ( others have crashed Pedro and Lorenzo?)
Credit where credits due!!
I don't think Stoner or Rossi can beat this kid. In my humble opinion the only one that can consistently is Lorenzo??
Pedro..... it must be so damn hard to be sooooo close but soooo far???

Looks like the changing of the guard at this stage of the season but they'll all be fit for the second 1/2.

Best damn season for a while I reckon.

**pritch** · 2nd August 2013, 22:28

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I can't help but wonder if his (like racers before him) ego is so fucking big that he actually believes he'll be able to do a Stoner and tame the thing. Bet Rossi did. Maybe Spies too. I've read that Crutchlow seems to thing he rides like Stoner. Now we'll see. But my money says he doesn't and can't.

I don't think that's it. Now that Audi have taken over, and have replaced a lot of key people at Ducati, people including CC are hoping for a big improvement next year.

Here's hoping they aren't wrong.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 2nd August 2013, 23:08

Originally Posted by Reckless

I don't think Stoner or Rossi can beat this kid. In my humble opinion the only one that can consistently is Lorenzo??

Best damn season for a while I reckon.

Well we don't know about Stoner. Maybe never will. But we can basically see that Rossi is not quite at the same level as the new aliens. And Stoner was one of them if not the head honcho. But it matters not. All hail the new alien from another galaxy!

Originally Posted by pritch

I don't think that's it. Now that Audi have taken over, and have replaced a lot of key people at Ducati, people including CC are hoping for a big improvement next year.

Here's hoping they aren't wrong.

Yeah but they took over when? Seriously...think the stars simply aligned with the first up 800cc effort (HP, tyres and Stoner)..and may never again. Even their superbike is sucking arse now.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 2nd August 2013, 23:10

Originally Posted by jasonu

Lotsa maybes there mate.
He is DEFINITELY getting the (good or not so good) Duc ride and a ton of cash.

I reckon the Ducati is about due to come spectacularly right. Audi involvement, some super talented engineers and managers, away they go. Honda have showed them it can be done. And they are burning a shit ton of money for 8th and 9th: either it comes right or they go fuck it, and back to dominating WSB.

**Berries** · 2nd August 2013, 23:44

Originally Posted by Reckless

It hasn’t been made officially official, but the BBC’s Azi Farni is reporting Cal Crutchlow will announce his move to Ducati overnight. We know the bloke is oozing talent, but is it enough to tame the Italian prototype? If nothing else, it’ll be good to see him and Dovi bashing fairings again.

A done deal - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/23536326

**merv** · 2nd August 2013, 23:48

I am sure Audi will be making sure that a new Ducati for 2014 is being built as we tap away on this thread.

Lol thinking of Audi's efforts at Le Mans maybe they will lobby Dorna to allow a turbo diesel engine.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 2nd August 2013, 23:50

Originally Posted by Berries

A done deal - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/23536326

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

**Bender** · 3rd August 2013, 08:01

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.

Ducati is just so far off the pace - they have spent a load of money, brought new parts (including ditching CF and going to an alloy frame) but it's made no difference. That suggests to me that they are lost and struggling to go forward.

You may say that Audi's money will make things better next year but that is clearly what the riders thought this year. Hayden and Dovi have not been able to hide their shock and disappointment that their rides were still crap.

**denill** · 3rd August 2013, 08:33

There could be at least one positive, even if the best being - Ducati up at the front again doesn't happen. And that is we could get more of the epic clashes between Dovi and Carl.