Taming the Ducati????

Hi Cheryl H, Im going the other way, Im blaming lack of track time due to new rules. I do think he is getting quicker every lap he does. It bit him hard early on and he is showing some respect. But I do think he will tame the red beast eventually. out of all the riders out there, I think Nicky is the man for the job. he has the nearest riding style to Casey.

Likes it loose and drags a lot of rear brake. So Im sticking with him.

But on a similar line. I wonder if its the Desmodromic Valve system that causes the problem. its the only constant variable I can find. there has to be a reason the bike behaves so unpredictably. Maybe the system works with the Twin engine (wsbk) but not with Multi's. (gp) Just a thought ??

To be honest, These guys (all GP riders) should be able to work out some kind of set up that works. with any given bike. Though the Chassis and valve systems are unique to Ducati.

I still think Nicky Hayden will overcome his problems with the Desmosedici. The testing ban came on the worst moment for him.

I hope Catalunya is good on him.

About who could match Casey on a Duc. I´d love to see Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi giving it a try.

Imagine Valentino Rossi winning a Mugello riding an Italian bike. The Italian pride would hit an all time high. He has changed works before, and he has also switched tyres quite successfully.

I know Pedrosa is not the most popular rider out there, but I have the weird feeling he could do great on the D16. Even HRC has dismissed the rumor this is Dani´s last year with Honda, there might be other horizons for him. In order to work, Dani would have to get rid of Puig. I do not think Ducati Corse would allow to much meddling by any rider´s manager.

What I find even more of a worry is what Marco told the BBC last Sunday.

He had already told Ducati of the problems at this time last year. The excact same problems that Nicky is noe repeating to them THIS year.

When Marco asked for changes to be made, he was told to go to a doctor and get his head sorted out, as there is nothing wrong with the bike, its all in his head.

Now that Nicky has voiced the same problems, may be Ducati might listern to him. At least he has a proper crew chief now rather then ( just ) a date guy.

As for someone to ride the Ducati in anger........ Well Troy Bayliss would be a great choice, but it wont happen.

I remember a couple of years ago at Laguna Chaz Davis stepped in for Alex Hoffman and was lapping less then a second slower then Rossi, so why not offer him a deal. He is doing well in the AMA, but we all know that MotoGP is where he wants to be.

Then there is Marco Simoncelli. He is far to tall for the 250 so he might do OK on the Ducati. We know he likes to ride it loose ( and out of control ) so his style might suit the bike / team.

strong rumours around the paddock are that Casey rides the bike with hardly any of the electrics switched on, minimal traction and launch control, he just rides the bike like they had to before all this electronic stuff.

I dont think its a case that Nicky or Marco didnt suit the Ducati, because personally I think the Ducati doesnt suit anyone, even Casey! But what Casey has done is change his whole riding style to suit the Ducati and learn to ride it with no rider aids, maybe if Nicky or Marco were allowed to turn these things off too we would maybe see them further up the grid

I have to agree with Proc here. Nicky will find a way to get a handle on the bike. He just needs some more seat time. I still believe he will contend for podiums this year.

I thought Kallio started great, but I think he got bit as well. I look for him and Canepa both to improve from where they are.

As for your question though, I don't know if anyone can match Casey's results with the Ducati, at least in it's current form. There's just something about that combination that is pretty special.

Ben Spies shoulda bin plonked straight on that Red Rocket ship and cut loose.

He's already over riding the yamaha just to keep up with the ninja turtle Nori.For some un-known reason factory and satelite teams keep repeating the same old patterns of putting riders on their bikes that have been through the system(125,250etc).

Why on earth, when they have a talent like Spies , put him straight into motogp and let him run ragged.

Its quite obvious that motogp needs to look at recruiting more talent rather than riders that are just making up the numbers,

So for me its Spies . He's wasted in Superbikes.

[ well Ducati have just signed Troy Bayliss has a test rider (though he is offically retired) hopefully some feedback from Troy will help the current Ducati riders, but i think that Niccolo Canepa will master the bike...<^><....

dear