saw that.. implies that the jv team concept went away maybe.  hmm.

Ooops! Looks like Chaz Davies bet The Ben to the punch on signing with the Italian BMW WSBK team!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Sep/120909b.htm

Guess Spies needs to drop back to Plan B!

Quote from: fastwin on September 09, 2012, 12:32:21 PM
Ooops! Looks like Chaz Davies bet The Ben to the punch on signing with the Italian BMW WSBK team!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Sep/120909b.htm

Guess Spies needs to drop back to Plan B!

Have you been under your rock again?

Talk is Ben will ride the Duc in GP next year.

Everyone should have a nice rock to chill out under!

I'll believe what The Ben does when I see it... or when stage Mom Mary tells him to do it. Heck, for all I know he'll race bicycles next year! Still on 2 wheels...

It's official, then Ben has a new home for 2013, and it's in MotoGp...

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/183878/1/ben_spies_iannone_secure_2013_motogp_seats.html

I still don't get it.  But it tells you sumptin' about Ducati's major markets.  They have all the Americans in MotoGP (not counting MotoCRT) and most of the Italians.  Yamaha and Honda have the Spaniards, with a lone Italian.  Or sumptin' like that.  I dig The Ben, but after how miserable Ducati has been over the last four years, I can't see having any real opportunity to cheer for him (or even see him on the screen). 

Quote from: Spidey on September 12, 2012, 03:19:09 PM
I still don't get it.  But it tells you sumptin' about Ducati's major markets.  They have all the Americans in MotoGP (not counting MotoCRT) and most of the Italians.  Yamaha and Honda have the Spaniards, with a lone Italian.  Or sumptin' like that.  I dig The Ben, but after how miserable Ducati has been over the last four years, I can't see having any real opportunity to cheer for him (or even see him on the screen). 

wrong passport for San Carlo, so apparently it was this or wsbk.  this at least keeps him GP another year.  and i'm sure everyone in italy and germany is swearing up and down the bike will improve. 

with those kinds of assurances.. maybe.

I see it as a giant tactical error. Just a few weeks ago he was bashing MotoGP and wanted out. He should have gone with BMW & WSBK in my opinion. The Duc is a grunt box POS. Jeez, if Rossi and Burgess couldn't make it better who the hell can? Spies? I doubt it.

If I were Spies I would have taken the BMW/WSBK deal in a heart beat. The Bimmers are finally showing what they can do. Hell, Melandri might even take the championship this year... if he stops crashing!

Look up "giant mistake" in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of The Ben signing that Ducati junior varsity contract. Mark me down as a disappointed non-believer. I was hoping he'd spend 2013 racing bicycles!

so what happens next. He's got a 1 year contract with Pramac. Does he go up to a factory ride 2014? Or does he go to Suzuki? Pramac is just a means to an end

If things dont work out with Ducati, it would be great to see him back home with Suzuki Moto GP team. The circle will be complete.

Like it or hate it, MotoGP is still the big show. Going back to WSBK is still a step down and most likely a huge pay cut. I would understand if the onl option was a CRT ride. Any prototype would keep him in contention for a factory ride in the future.

Quote from: fastwin on September 12, 2012, 04:53:57 PM
Just a few weeks ago he was bashing MotoGP and wanted out.

he said this where?

I thought I read that... Roadracing World, Cycle News, SBK planet??? Can't remember but that's what I thought he was saying. I try not to make up too much stuff but I have also been known to be wrong. My take was he wanted out of MotoGP. And he was talking to the BMW WSBK team. 1+1 still equals 2.

Quote from: fastwin on September 13, 2012, 12:20:50 PM
I thought I read that... Roadracing World, Cycle News, SBK planet??? Can't remember but that's what I thought he was saying. I try not to make up too much stuff but I have also been known to be wrong. My take was he wanted out of MotoGP. And he was talking to the BMW WSBK team. 1+1 still equals 2.

I think he just wanted out of Yamaha not GP, and was exploring options to secure a ride for next season.

When Ducati announced they were going to have a more 'factory' satellite team he made the choice to go there rather that take a step backwards...if SBK is actually that. I think financially it is, but the competition is superior to GP.

Ben, other than thinking the restaurant business is a good idea, isn't stupid.

Quote from: fastwin on September 12, 2012, 04:53:57 PM
  Just a few weeks ago he was bashing MotoGP and wanted out. 

Quote from: gm2 on September 13, 2012, 10:22:54 AM
he said this where?

I think it was more inferred from Mary's statement moreso than anything...pair that with what Ben wasn't saying and we drew all manner of conclusions....