Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Too bad for Cal. (good in terms of Money and support). Tough time to make decision.
But I' d love to see a Rider from WSBK Ride the Ducati, may just suit his style. Was hoping the same with Ben, but he's plaqued with injuries.
Now if they signed Pol to Tech3, it would be interesting to see if its a one year or a 2 year deal.(I suppose they just signed the letter of Intent)

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

The other -

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

That was quick😝
The news came in as if we had no idea 😛

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Maybe Cal Crutchlow can do something like Casey Stoner. Maybe he can get Ducati some more respect by podium wins. Maybe. Wondering, Will his aggressive style suit to Ducati?

Pol Espargaro to Yamaha Tech3, both the brothers in MotoGP... lets see how he performs there.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

This fact I'm stating is for those expecting Cal to succeed on the Red Monster.


Earlier, when stoner won in 2007, the tyres were built around the bike, as per requirements and customized for the bike specifically.
Now times have changed.
When the Spec tyres came in, Rossi was at Ducati. When he was asked what are your requirements, he had nothing to say because he was already struggling with his bike's issues.
So he left the decision up to Honda and Yamaha in agreement with Ducati.
So the tyres are actually made to suit the requirements of the M1 and the RC213Vs more than any other bike. Any other includes - the GP13.
Now when stoner in 2009 asked for changes on the bike to suit the spec tyre, he was not entertained as much as he expected to. Thus he decided to switch to someone who listens.
Experts say that even if stoner comes back to the GP13 he might face difficulty getting it on the podium because it has changed a lot and the new spec tyres are not made to suit the Ducati, but are more inclined towards M1 and RC213V.
The bike is not so bad on it's own, it just needs different tyres to suit it's functionality. Even Troy Bayliss and Loris have won on that, so logically it can be ridden fast around the tracks.
So Ducati actually needs a bike similar to Honda or Yamaha or, get tyres to suit their bike so that it can be pushed to limits.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Hmm, so Cal has chosen the "cosy retirement after 2 years" option.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Good analysis, you precisely put everything with facts. Even I agree in 2007 the tyres were in favor of Ducati, what about 2008 and 2009? Was the situation still the same? I dont think so. Because Rossi won next 2 championship and Stoner still gave him run for his money. I am not specifically pointing it out to you but to those who think Stoner's championship in 2007 was more because of 'other factors' than his own riding style. If that would have been the case then we should had saw the Ducati of Stoner not dominating any season except 2007. The truth is, Stoner was always a championship contender.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

I think in 2008 the tyre situation was the same, only Rossi changed from Michelins to Bridgestone. (I dunno who else switched).
Now that I think, Rossi bounced back pretty well!!!!
Later, since 2009 things changed pretty bad with Ducati.
If I remember correctly, Ducati used Steel Trellis then switched to CF frame.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

^^ 100% True, I'm would never cover up Stoner's talent with anything. He's one guy I still consider faster than anyone and that's one of the reason I wouldn't want him back till Rossi's around
But as far as Ducati is concerned, it's now actually spoiled. I personally think it cannot be ridden faster than a Yamaha or a Honda till it has Custom tires or a new bike all together.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Season 2006:

Stoner in his first season put LCR Honda on pole only in his 2nd race at Qatar and secured a podium in his 3rd in Turkey. He was very fast.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Here's an opinion on Ducati's failure:
Ducati's Fascinating Failure | Drawing the Line - Motorcyclist Magazine

Update:
Sheesh, that's the wrong link, can't locate the one that i wanted, that article had a good explanation about the problem. I'll upload it if i find it...

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Absolutely, Stoner was simply the better rider. Period..Simply put Stoner rode the ducati in 2007 to glory. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 the ducati was inferior (the tyres were taken away) but Stoner still managed to get it to win and we all know what happened to Rossi when he got to Ducati.

Rossi was able to bounce back nly be changing the tyre rule!

BTW Rossi rode the same ducati in 2011 that stoner got to win in the later stages of 2010 in Aragon, Japan and ofcourse (Phillip Island) and Rossi was found wanting, not to say the least.

Dont want to start a Rossi-Casey war but Rossi's time at the ducati has busted many a myth on Rossi, sadly. The Legend was killed in 80 seconds!

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

Rossi got plans to stick with the Blue Brand till 2016, that's another 2 year contract after the current one expires.

Rossi keen to stay with Yamaha until 2016 - Motorcycle racing news: Moto GP - Visordown

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

It was Stoner who changed fortunes for Bridgestone. Dont, you think it was a gamble for Ducati to choose Bridgestone over well established Michelin's? To choose a new tyre manufacturer rather than an established one, even though Bridgestone have made sure that they provide best suited tyres for Ducati, it was a gamble. Stoner winning championship cemented Bridgstone's position in MotoGP, rest is history. What if Stoner would have crashed / retired due to tyre issues in 2007, would we be saying same thing. I dont think so. :-) We all know what Formula 1 teams and drivers are paying this year for a new tyre manufacturer Pireli. :-) Busted tyres and increased number of pit stops only made it difficult for F1 teams.

Does he have anywhere to go? hehe... I know many team would be interested to sign him just for his brand value and his sheer talent of course. But Rossi cares about his racing career than a brand value. Moreover after Ducati episode, it is in the best interest for himself and Yamaha that they both stick together.

Re: MotoGP 2013 Season - Updates

@Lalitp:

Those werent the same Bridgestones for everybody, were they. They were made according to what was required by Ducati and Stoner(Mostly Ducati).
My point was just, now they dont have the privelegde which they had earlier, everyone uses the same spec tire, so it works for other, not for Ducati at the moment.

@JAKRAP;

Rossi bounced back not cuz change in the tyre rule. Rossi used bridgestone. There were other Michelin riders. Rossi and Stoner were on Bridgestone when Rossi was able to beat him.
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@R-series: 3 and half years from now. I can live with that