Quote from: Desmostro on May 21, 2008, 03:58:30 PM
What-ever he beat Casey Stoner fair and square as they came in together just like the Yamaha Team did. Except the end of the race  Like book ends. I'm sure they meant to do that.

I'm not sure what 80% of that means   


and on or off topic.. not sure.. nothing about my comment is really about marco.  his problem is/was the bike.

Quote from: gm2 on May 21, 2008, 04:53:46 PM
I'm not sure what 80% of that means   


and on or off topic.. not sure.. nothing about my comment is really about marco.  his problem is/was the bike.

Just joking - Melandri & Stoner came in 15th and 16th place at the last GP race respectively. That means Melandri actually beat Stoner to the finish line. Yamaha's team was at the front, Ducati's team at the back like bookends.
ok dumb joke.

You think Melandri hasn't figured out his GP8? What's his deal?
I can't say I understand why he's doing so badly with Ducati.

i approve of this thread gentlemen, please do continue

Quote from: Desmostro on May 22, 2008, 05:44:16 AM
You think Melandri hasn't figured out his GP8? What's his deal?
I can't say I understand why he's doing so badly with Ducati.

if you think about it, since the 800cc GP machine was introduced, only 1 rider out of 7 have had any measure of success with it.  the other 6 can barely get around the track (ok, save 1 race: loris @ motegi).  if 86% of those that attempt to ride it basically can't, it's fair to say it's the bike that's the problem.  not the riders.

read mamola's review after riding the GP7 last year.. something like 'a fire-breathing dragon, barely under control by electronics'.  so far, much to his credit, the only person vaguely comfortable riding that style is casey.

...oh, and he came from dirt tracking.  which is why, to tie this back to a different thread, lots of people have said nicky should be on that bike.  hmmmm.

Quote from: gm2 on May 22, 2008, 09:16:28 AM
if you think about it, since the 800cc GP machine was introduced, only 1 rider out of 7 have had any measure of success with it.  the other 6 can barely get around the track (ok, save 1 race: loris @ motegi).  if 86% of those that attempt to ride it basically can't, it's fair to say it's the bike that's the problem.  not the riders.

read mamola's review after riding the GP7 last year.. something like 'a fire-breathing dragon, barely under control by electronics'.  so far, much to his credit, the only person vaguely comfortable riding that style is casey.

...oh, and he came from dirt tracking.  which is why, to tie this back to a different thread, lots of people have said nicky should be on that bike.  hmmmm.

Ya I absolutely agree with you in theory - not having any communication with those who ride it...
Though its quite clear to us all by now a bike fits one like a shoe. Some you fit, some you don't. It's a good guess Nicky may do better with this Italian rocket having done well on the 1000cc and miserable on the 800cc. Watching Casey back it in through countless corners, getting back into the race after finding dirt off the track etc. shows his comfort with sliding around a bit.

Can't say I know all the issues, But sounds like a good guess.

Melandri just may tragically be an in-line-4 kind of guy like Rossi.   

Quote from: Desmostro on May 22, 2008, 09:41:54 AM
Melandri just may tragically be an in-line-4 kind of guy like Rossi.   

nah, i think marco is just a stable in the corners kinda guy.  he doesn't trust that duc as far as he can throw it.  china notwithstanding.

rossi... to bring us back on topic  ... i'm sure could ride the ducati just because he's rossi.  and b/c JB would figure it out.

Quote from: Desmostro on May 22, 2008, 09:41:54 AM

Melandri just may tragically be an in-line-4 kind of guy like Rossi.   

How is Rossi and in-line-4 kind of guy?  He did pretty well on two-strokes and the RC211V if my memory serves me correctly. 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67611

Quote from: gm2 on May 22, 2008, 12:17:38 PM
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67611

Wow, some very honest words from their head of racing in that article, I love it.

Everyone loves a winner.

Quote from: gm2 on May 22, 2008, 09:16:28 AM...oh, and he came from dirt tracking.  which is why, to tie this back to a different thread, lots of people have said nicky should be on that bike.  hmmmm.

I, too, have wondered about that.  I suppose nothing's impossible, but I seriously doubt we'll ever see Nicky on the 'sedici.

Quote from: jswledhed on May 22, 2008, 03:45:07 PM
I, too, have wondered about that.  I suppose nothing's impossible, but I seriously doubt we'll ever see Nicky on the 'sedici.

whyso? ducati offered it to him once, why not a second time?

there ARE rumors floatin' around that he's already signed with the italians for '09.

Really.  That'd be interesting indeed.  I figured he was Honduh through and through.  I'd love to see it, if only to satisfy my own curiosity.  Linkage?

Quote from: jswledhed on May 22, 2008, 04:00:01 PM
Really.  That'd be interesting indeed.  I figured he was Honduh through and through.  I'd love to see it, if only to satisfy my own curiosity.  Linkage?

he's been on hondas since 1999 (suzuki before that) and loyalty is one of the reasons he re-signed with big red 2 years ago when ducati offered him a ton of money and the gp7.

I would like to see Hayden on the Ducati but I don't think he would want to switch rides.  No one can compete on the Ducati except Stoner.  I think Stoner wins in spite of the Ducati.  If Stoner was on a Yamaha - look out.