Lorenzo & Ducati

[Cuprabob]

As we know Jorge has signed for Ducati.

There is no denying Jorge's class and his ability to put in almost metronomic lap after lap but from what I can see the Ducati doesn't suit his smooth style and those who get the best from it are the total opposite.

I just wonder if Jorge will be added to the long list of distinguished riders who couldn't get on with it.

I am interested in your thoughts

[Scotty]

My take on it :

 

It's a ego trip. Although he's a multiple world champ he's in Rossi's shadow. He wants to show the world he's better than Rossi. No one can do that - you just have to keep winning for a stupid amount of time. I believe Lorenzo is trying to prove something and in a nutshell it's that he can tame the Ducati that Rossi couldn't. It's a different bike that the one Rossi had so he won't ever prove that even if he does well and I think that will wind him up next year..... or he fails and becomes another one who couldn't do what Stoner did. Either way I think he's not gonna get what he wants out of it.

 

I wonder how much Ducati paid?

[Busby]

I'd agree Scotty - I think it's an ego thing.  He's not going to win as many world championships as Rossi but being able to win on different machinery gives him a step-up in the history of the sport.  I don't think anybody would buy the "I won on a Ducati when Rossi couldn't" story as we all know how much of a different bike it is.  It would certainly be one in the eye for Rossi to be stood on the podium with Lorenzo in red leathers though.

 

Rumour on salary is £9m (12m Euro) 

[JonC]

I agree. He's ambitious, young and out to make history. He's had a goid start too.Although he may never be able (possibly) to succeed on the Ducati, he'll have a damn good go at it I'm sure. I admire his sheer determination to prove his skill level winning on different bikes, especially if that's at the cost of his arch-nemesis.

[Busby]

The big question if he manages to pull it off on the Ducati will be whether he can win it again with a third manufacturer!  Although there would only be one other team left that could have a winning bike and I can't see him going there.

 

Would be great for the sport if he did do it though.  He's what, 28/29 now?  Two years at Ducati where he wins a title, maybe he'll be 30/31 and speaking with HRC about making history on one of their bikes.

[JonC]

...Would be great for the sport if he did do it though...Two years at Ducati where he wins a title, maybe he'll be 30/31 and speaking with HRC about making history on one of their bikes.

Now that I'd love to see. If anyone can......

[burble]

I heard the salary is something in the region of €25m/year.

 

I think it's a decision he'll regret but I'm not surprised.  I don't think the money was part of the decision but he felt very unloved at the end of last year as there wasn't much of a party atmosphere that he won the title.  It was more disappointment that Rossi didn't win it.

 

If, and it's a big if, he gets on with the Ducati and can win on it then he'll do something that Rossi couldn't and I think that was a big part of his motivation for moving.

Who's going to take his place at Yamaha?  I think it'll be Maverick Vinalez.

[Scotty]

I guess that depends how well the season goes for the Suzuki.....but as the end of it all it will always be riders chasing money ... ahem Cal.

[Cuprabob]

I guess that depends how well the season goes for the Suzuki.....but as the end of it all it will always be riders chasing money ... ahem Cal.

With Cal's recent form, I think the repair bills might need to be factored in:-)

[Scotty]

He was quite funny at the weekend about actually finishing  

[Cuprabob]

He was quite funny at the weekend about actually finishing

I've yet to watch the race, although I do know the result but it's good to know he stayed on until the end.

[Scotty]

If you know the result then your time is probably better spent watching the Moto3.

[Cuprabob]

If you know the result then your time is probably better spent watching the Moto3.

Cheers:-)

[burble]

Yeah, it was far from a classic MotoGP race.

[Cuprabob]

Just watched it and you were right:-)

On a side note, I'm glad they are binning those ugly wings (tea trays) for next year.

Did I hear right that each of the seamless shift Honda gearboxes cost £500k?

[Busby]

Did I hear right that each of the seamless shift Honda gearboxes cost £500k?

 

I heard Mr Ryder mention that nugget of information too.  Bonkers isn't it!!

[garcon magnifique]

I thought bikes were meant to be cheaper than cars?

[burble]

On a side note, I'm glad they are binning those ugly wings (tea trays) for next year.

Did I hear right that each of the seamless shift Honda gearboxes cost £500k?

 

I'm glad too but I expect Lorenzo isn't as it does seem that those ghastly things make a big difference to the Ducatti.  I'm sure I read that they were banning them for cost reasons.  Seems odd when Honda are spunking €500k on each seamless gearbox.

[burble]

So Pedrosa is staying at HRC for another 2 years.  I'm surprsed, he's under performed on that bike compared to his team mates.  He's a good number 2 but I thought the time was right for HRC to make a change.

 

Maverick Vinales is off to Yamaha on a 2 year deal.  I think he'll do well on the bike but time will tell how he'll deal with Rossi.

 

Rumour is that Iannone is going to Suzuki to take that vacated seat.  I thought Ducati were more likely to retain Iannone than Dovi but I was hoping they'd give Petrucci the ride.

 

Edit - Suzuki have confimed Iannone has a 2 year deal with them,

Edited May 19, 2016 by burble

[Busby]

I am shocked at the Pedrosa news too.  Especially when there are faster riders out there who are looking.  I'd guess that Marquez and his team have a big say in who is sat on the other Repsol bike.

 

I had hoped Ianone would stay with Ducati but I think he'll do well at Suzuki.  My contacts tell me that Suzuki's are also going to be run by Lucio Cecchinello next year too.  Not sure whether that will still be with Crutchlow though.

 

Vinales and Rossi could be a very interesting combination - I think Maverick will have a real zero f**** given attitude when it comes to racing against him. 

[burble]

I also heard that LCR will run Suzuki next year.

 

I can't see Cal sticking about.  He's been somewhat of a damp squib and personally I wouldn't miss him if he left MotoGP.

 

My fingers are crossed that Maverick excels at Yamaha.  It'll be interesting to see the relationship with Rossi change shoudl Maverick start beating him on the track.

[Cuprabob]

Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Cal wasn't able to capitalise his relative success at Tech-3. Sadly I think a return to BSB would be in order.

[Scotty]

I think Yam have got a great squad now. All the experience and the youth.

 

Cal - would like to see him get some decent results but I think he cut his own career short with his decisions.

 

Really interested to see how this all falls out next year.

[JonC]

 

...Maverick Vinales is off to Yamaha on a 2 year deal.  I think he'll do well on the bike...

 

 

Great news. The next wave of brilliance on a Yamaha.

[Mort]

The force is strong with Vinales - possible alien.