Ducati switches to Michelin!

[cdc]

WOW!  just wow!

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2008/09/27/ducati_to_switch_to_michelin_single_tire.html

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/september/22-28/sep2708-ducati-in-michelin-talks/

I guess Rossi "Rules" the track, FIM, and tire companies too!  No wonder he is so great.

cdc

[bryant8]

not quite...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Grand+Prix+Commission+decides+on+single+tyre+rule+for+2009

We'll know before Philip Island

[cdc]

As I've read, Ducati and Michelin were talking about switching but did not reach an agreement.  Michelin also was not able to convince enough teams to switch.

It was said that Ducati initially switched to Bridgestone to get a tire manufacturer to focus on them and not share development with Rossi and Honda riders.  They felt that eventually, that would benefit their package and they were right.  When Rossi moved to Bridgestone during a time when Bridgestone said it could not supply him but eventually relented, we saw how influential Rossi was and how any advantage Ducati had become lessened.

It has always been a badly kept secret/rumor that favored or influential riders and or manufacturers get preferential treatment and tires.

Now that Rossi and Honda (Pedrosa) are on Bridgestones, that Ducati will talk to Michelin and leave Bridgestone can only mean Ducati wants to be able to get a tire manufacturer to focus development on their bike and not have Rossi and Honda direct development to their detriment.

cdc

[bryant8]

That's a great point to talk about.

Having the complete focus of a tire manufacturer is key to get the whole package to win is a great advantage.  

I hope the spec tire doesn't come into play with 'prototype' racing.  But it might bring some more great racing all over the grid

[Duc L'Smart]

Damn... I just switched back to Pirrelli's.

[Giannis]

WOW!  just wow!

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2008/09/27/ducati_to_switch_to_michelin_single_tire.html

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/september/22-28/sep2708-ducati-in-michelin-talks/

I guess Rossi "Rules" the track, FIM, and tire companies too!  No wonder he is so great.

cdc

Hw won races with Junky tires too and yes he is that Great tires can make you fast but you need talent too

[cdc]

Not to take away from Rossi's talent on a race bike because that is not in doubt.  But it is said that FIM values him because of his popularity and crowd drawing power.  His influence it is said translates to more favorable treatment from FIM, Dorna and tire manufacturers.  If it is true that Ducati was willing to talk to Michelin and forgo their established relationship with Bridgestone it seems reasonable to conclude that Ducati wants to be with a tire manufacturer who will be focused on them instead of Rossi or Honda riders because of their influence.

If all of the above is accurate, it gives us an insight on the backstage going ons which we ordinarily don't hear.

I have seem Rossi do amazing things and would like to be a fan but I'd like to see other guys breakthrough and win races and champioships.  I prefer it was Ducati though.

cdc

[Giannis]

Not to take away from Rossi's talent on a race bike because that is not in doubt.  But it is said that FIM values him because of his popularity and crowd drawing power.  His influence it is said translates to more favorable treatment from FIM, Dorna and tire manufacturers.  If it is true that Ducati was willing to talk to Michelin and forgo their established relationship with Bridgestone it seems reasonable to conclude that Ducati wants to be with a tire manufacturer who will be focused on them instead of Rossi or Honda riders because of their influence.

If all of the above is accurate, it gives us an insight on the backstage going ons which we ordinarily don't hear.

I have seem Rossi do amazing things and would like to be a fan but I'd like to see other guys breakthrough and win races and champioships.  I prefer it was Ducati though.

cdc

Dorna might favor Honda and Rossi how about Flamini SBK?  

[Jester]

It has always been a badly kept secret/rumor that favored or influential riders and or manufacturers get preferential treatment and tires.

Now that Rossi and Honda (Pedrosa) are on Bridgestones, that Ducati will talk to Michelin and leave Bridgestone can only mean Ducati wants to be able to get a tire manufacturer to focus development on their bike and not have Rossi and Honda direct development to their detriment.

cdc

Well, considering Ducati would essentially be the only bike on the grid with any kind of talent running the Michelins if such a scenario would pan out, of course they would get all the focus from Michelin.  Its probably moot anyway, since it could be very likely we see one manufacturer.

One thing Rossi commented on recently was the transparency of the way the Japanese do business at Bridgestone compared to the French at Michelin.  He said you can always find out exactly what tyres your rivals are running at Bridgestone, and at Michelin nobody has a clue.  Perhaps Ducati doesn't like that?  Who knows.  Stoner and Rossi run the same front tyre from everything I've heard.  I don't really see how there is any issue with preferential treatment here.

I hope the spec tire doesn't come into play with 'prototype' racing.  But it might bring some more great racing all over the grid

Jeremy Burgess voted against it, but warned that even if it does happen, the racing will not change much.  The top four riders are still going to run away from the field as long as equipment is halfway close.  What changes the racing is to quit dicking with the bikes for a good period of time, such as the run that the 500cc machines had.  They didn't change much at all over a long period of time, so all the manufacturers were able to catch up technology-wise and offer similar machinery.  If we had stuck with 990cc, most likely everyone would be nearly equal at this point, or much closer anyhow.  They need to settle on 800cc and let everyone get caught up if they want better racing.  Some of the bikes in the field are just junk.

On a side note:  Rossi's current 08' bike is actually designed for Michelin tyres and lacks full range of suspension adjustments for the Bridgestone tyres.  His 09' bike addresses these issues to be more compliant with the new tyres, as well as more engine improvements.

Rossi has two things, and one of them Stoner and Pedrosa lack.  Charisma.  It sells products, and when you pair it with incredible talent that spans over a decade of top quality performances and 8 championships, you have yourself a marketing giant.  Its wise to listen to Rossi because it keeps you in business.  You can't market your series around Stoner or Pedrosa with nearly the success, because they are mundane and boring personalities.  Dorna should be hoping Lorenz(th)o keeps rising, because he has the charisma that Rossi carries and could naturally step in behind him better than the other two top riders.  Its akin to when the San Antonio Spurs win the championship.  The NBA hates it.  Its boring as hell and the ratings suck.  It has nothing to do with their ability to win.  You just can't market the Spurs worth a darn.

[svoloch]

wow.  couldn't agree more.  well said. 

[fastwin]

+1 Rossi is worth twice what he makes. No one else is even close, especially in the marketability sense.