"More is obviously needed, Rossi said, as the problems can’t all be solved using setup. The Mugello test would be crucial, he repeated. Help could be coming his way from Audi; senior Audi management was at the track on Sunday, and met with Rossi to share their plans with him. They were extremely enthusiastic about Ducati’s MotoGP project, Rossi said, and were keen to have the Italian involved. They had not discussed any details, but Audi had made clear to Rossi that they were willing to make resources available and make the changes necessary for the bike to be fixed. Valentino Rossi, it appears, took a step closer to renewing his contract with Ducati at the Sachsenring."

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/motogp-summary-sunday-german-gp-2012/

Now that is interesting and might be enough for Rossi to stay and try one more year I think.  Having someone basically say "we're going to just throw a lot of money at the issue if you can stay to work it out" does bode well.  And for Audi, Rossi winning on a Duc basically represents the holy grail of marketing.

That being said, I'd still want him on a more competitive bike... and I would hate it if they dropped Hayden just as it seems they might be able to fix the issue.

Quote from: ducpainter on July 08, 2012, 06:53:53 AM
Please be more careful about spoilers in this thread guys...

Sorry dude, I modified my post

They don't care about Nicky or Cal. Audi will throw as much money as humanly possible to that bike. They will hire some engineers to basically turn it into an M1. But don't fool yourself, Rossi does not have many options left.

cal says there's no factory yamaha for him

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101107

That sucks for Nicky...

You think he can pick up that vacant Tech3 seat?  I'd really like to see how he does on a bike that's sorted from the start... though unless he's amazing on that bike I'd say his days as a factory motogp rider are done if this goes the way it's looking.

I wonder if he could somehow pick up the empty factory yam seat.

Quote from: thought on July 09, 2012, 01:26:40 PM
I wonder if he could somehow pick up the empty factory yam seat.

the implication of the above article is that there isn't one

Seems like Rossi's at an important crossroad - either he goes with a bike that'll put him back on the podium asap so he can continue his racing career, or he becomes an Audi/Ducati test rider disguised as a MotoGP racer...

Anyone get clarification on why Bayliss recently hung up his test-rider leathers?

Not counting the aliens, who else has been on the podium, and how many times, over the last four years?

Quote from: MacDuck on July 09, 2012, 10:46:38 PM
Not counting the aliens, who else has been on the podium, and how many times, over the last four years?

Dovi a bunch of times, and won a wet race.
Spies 5 podiums, and won a *dry* race at Assen last year.
Nicky on the podium a time or two.
Melandri got a 2nd on the Hayate.
Edwards got a podium with a week-old broken collarbone IIRC.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120707feat.htm

yep

Quote from: lazyjinglin717 on July 10, 2012, 02:20:34 PM
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120707feat.htm

...although Hayden getting fired could be the best thing for his career if he ends up on a better bike.

Quote from: Triple J on July 10, 2012, 02:40:43 PM


...although Hayden getting fired could be the best thing for his career if he ends up on a better bike.

That's the issue. He's not getting any offers from anyone, even the satellites. His best offers are coming from WSBK. I'm sure that the Ducati WSBK team would greatly appreciate him coming over there. Where would he go in MotoGP? Satellite Duc? All the Hondas and Yamahas are taken or close to it.

Quote from: duccarlos on July 10, 2012, 03:45:26 PM
That's the issue. He's not getting any offers from anyone, even the satellites. His best offers are coming from WSBK. I'm sure that the Ducati WSBK team would greatly appreciate him coming over there. Where would he go in MotoGP? Satellite Duc? All the Hondas and Yamahas are taken or close to it.

Yep, his only chance of winning a championship again is in WSBK.

Ducati MotoGP, MotoGP satellite teams, & MotoGP CRT teams all not good enough for a championship. I'd love to see him on an 1199 in WSBK! 

Quote from: lazyjinglin717 on July 10, 2012, 02:20:34 PM
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120707feat.htm

yep

loyalty is overrated Nicky.

Quote from: ducpainter on July 10, 2012, 05:47:32 PM
loyalty is overrated Nicky.

Yeah it is frustrating. It's all kind of bittersweet though.

It helps me understand better, why Stoner is leaving. It isn't about the racing anymore. It's about the money, sponsorship, and glamour. Where Rossi goes, the sponsors/cameras go.

On the other hand, Hayden wasn't doing anything to fix the bike. If anybody fixes it, Rossi/Burgess will be the ones to do it funded by a deep wallet (Audi).

It still blows because Hayden deserves a better bike. He's a make the beast with two backsing work horse with a lot of potential IMHO