[allblackkat]

Or maybe this: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jun/120621c17.htm

That's more like it!

I can see that happening for sure.

I bet he'd be happier with the satellite Yamaha.

[1982SZ]

Dovi.

If Rossi runs/owns a team it'd probably be for SBK.

[ErrEs]

Damn, I wish Super Sic was still here

Me too. I've thought about him numerous times this season.

That said I'm hoping Rossi can end his career in beauty, and the Stoner seat could help big time in that departement.

[superbike]

Here is another... http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jun/120627m8usz.htm

[allblackkat]

Here is another... http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jun/120627m8usz.htm

Gotta give credit where credit is due. Stoner won a championship on a Ducati only he could ride. Then goes to the number one team and cleans house while Vale struggled to beat satellite teams. Im betting Casey knew of Rossi possibly getting the same bike and figured it wouldn't be in his favor to stay. Rossi would probably get the preferential treatment even though Casey has proven himself lately to be the better rider.

If only he could stay long enough to compete on the same machinery. Then all the questions would be answered.

Ah well, I'll be secretly rooting for the other Honda riders if Vale lands one of his own.

[allblackkat]

Just watched qualifying for Assen... One of the craziest sessions I've seen in a long time.

Two rain delays which basically made 3 qualifying sessions in the hour.

Things they talked about while it rained made me think about next year's lineup.

Lorenzo is basically the only factory rider signed at the moment.

Crutchlow has a 2 year offer on the table from Ducati.

Dovisioso wants Ben Spies' bike.

Mark Marquez from Moto2 is cleared to ride on a factory team.

The rest is rumors at the moment.

The big thing I didn't know of or realize is that Audi bought Ducati a couple months ago for $1.2B. That should mean that Audi's racing heritage and pride should give Ducati the support they really need to spend the big bucks the other teams have.

Rossi is already publicly criticizing the developers approach on fixing his issues with the bike. Namely the tire wear and weight distribution. Honda spits out a new chassis mid season and all Valentino and Nicky get is an engine with less bottom end for Laguna.

But one could say his giant salary prevents them from spending on R&D to a degree as well.

Let's just hope the new parent company can breathe some fire into ducatis program. Nicky Hayden deserves it... Lol.

[superbike]

Nicky??? http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...r-nicky-in-13/

[allblackkat]

Interesting stuff. Considering Audi's influence is yet to be realized, I dunno what's to come of Nicky. That bike has got to be a disaster, or Vale's just sabotaging the program with a lack of effort. But I wouldn't think he has it in him to just suck this badly. Nicky seems to give his maximum effort, but that might be wishful thinking on my part. Maybe there's no hope for the current bike and they've refused to give 110% because the bike can't be trusted.
I haven't seen Nick or Vale crash too many times this year from pushing too hard. However Karol Abraham and Hector Barbera have gone down quite a few times... Just makes me think those two are trying harder, or are terrible riders...


World Superbike seems like a better option for Nicky when I think about it. Him and Colin should both go. Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi, and Marco Melandri seem to be doing pretty good out there. Plus I like watching those races just as much as I do Motogp, when I remember that they're on...lol.

[ErrEs]

I don't think Vale will be easily persuaded to stay with Ducati. Other than it's an Italian team and it was the dream of Vale to become WC on a factory Duc, he's been left very disappionted by team management and developement. Above all else, Rossi wants to race for the win, and the possibility to have more say in an even more competitive bike would be very appealing to him (duc's were usually the last qualified factory team behind other private teams even). The only downside I see in riding/managing a private team is that you are dependant on what the mother factory is willing to supply, and you can be sure they will cut back on supplies when you consistently start to outrun the prototypes.

[allblackkat]

Lol, what about Dovi kicking Ben's butt every week... Tech 3 seems to really have it together this year.

[superbike]

Is this your final answer: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120712a.htm

[superbike]

By the looks of this mornings practice sheet, it looks like Nicky is riding for his career...

Go Nicky, go!!!http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120713b.htm