Ben Spies. F%^K YEAH! and maybe some spoilers

[Spidey]

Agreed. He is "Crazy Joe", so hopefully he can live up to his nickname and manhandle the Duc like Stoner did. 

I know this is a thread about Ben, but I'm really interested to see how Iannone does in GP with Bridgestones.  He is fast when he can make his tires last, but his style chews 'em up.  I wonder how that is going to play out with the latest iteration of the-grip-never-fades (or maybe it does in 2013) Bridgestones. 

[gm2]

Hi, Ben.  I'd like to introduce you to my friends, Marco, Valentino, Loris & Nicky.  Guys, meet Ben.  

and here's alex, alex, toni, sylvain, mika, niccolo, hector, aleix, karel....

[Jester]

I know this is a thread about Ben, but I'm really interested to see how Iannone does in GP with Bridgestones.  He is fast when he can make his tires last, but his style chews 'em up.  I wonder how that is going to play out with the latest iteration of the-grip-never-fades (or maybe it does in 2013) Bridgestones. 

Won't make a bit of difference.  He rides a dog bike, and will in turn get dog results.  I'd like to see what the Ben can do....... oh right, he rides for Ducati.  Dovi will disappear and hope for 6th too ( or crashes in front/rain ).  4 mentally crushed top tier racers all hoping for 6th.  That's Ducati's pitch at the signing table.

[duccarlos]

Ducati's pitch at the signing table... Marlboro $$$

[Jester]

Ducati's pitch at the signing table... Marlboro $$$

How about "the factory crt team"

[zooom]

How about "the factory crt team"

that would be the Aprilia ART...

[duccarlos]

At this rate, I give the ART teams about 2 more years before they are competitive with the Ducs.

[zooom]

At this rate, I give the ART teams about 2 more years before they are competitive with the Ducs.

they won't last that long...between the rumors of Aspar Suzuki, Honda customer RC213V bikes, and some Suter/FTR framed Yamaha customer lease projects...the attraction for a CRT beyond the cheaper cost will be quickly lost when compared to being competitive

[duccarlos]

The Ape will not require too much to make it competitive in the second tier.

[zooom]

The Ape will not require too much to make it competitive in the second tier.

you think they are playing possum to keep from getting slapped by DORNA to keep from being a full blown manufacturer status in the game of it all?

[duccarlos]

make the beast with two backs yeah they're playing possum.

[Raux]

gettin a bit off topic, but yes, I believe Aprilia is going to come up to MotoGP... soon. The ART is way too strong already as a CRT. with full factory support and motogp status, say next year or two, you could see an Italian at the top of MotoGP again. Just not the one we want 

[mitt]

Americas qualifying didn't help his cause.

[gm2]

no for Jerez: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2013/Apr/130424b.htm

i also heard something further in the rumor mill that i'm not going to repeat   

[Grampa]

that ducati is building a hypermotard?