I never understood the Ducati/Lorenzo speculation

[ducleaner]

So Lorenzo resigned with Yamaha so it's moot but I'm still struggling to figure it out. The press seemed convinced that if Ducati got him, it would be in lieu of Stoner. Why? Even with his mystery illness, Stoner consistently outperforms Hayden. Stone *might* get better and *might* ride better. I think Hayden is the one that turned out to be a dud this year.

I was hoping to see Stoner pair up with Lorenzo. For starters, then we'd have a Ducati to root for when Stoner was out sick.

[Michael Moore]

I just have a hard time imagining that Ducati could come up with the €€€ to hire Lorenzo. Even if he wanted to leave Yamaha (which would be crazy since he's at least on a par with Rossi equipment-wise) some other factory would likely offer more money than our beloved, but tiny Corse group in Bologna.

[sally101]

Meh.. He'll do another year with Yamaha and then go be top dog on another team..

[ducleaner]

I just have a hard time imagining that Ducati could come up with the €€€ to hire Lorenzo. Even if he wanted to leave Yamaha (which would be crazy since he's at least on a par with Rossi equipment-wise) some other factory would likely offer more money than our beloved, but tiny Corse group in Bologna.

ducati offered more than he took from yamaha

[johnc]

sig. moore ... it was not ducati that was going to pony up the filthy lucre ... it was marlboro/philip morris. 

and as for not leaving yamaha because he was on par with supplied parts ... think again.  THIS was the strategic reason why lorenzo entered into discussion with ducati ... part of the counteroffer yamaha brought to the table was to provide  equal equipment on the same time schedule ... last year, lorenzo got the par parts, but a race or two after rossi's team did. 

now, the deeper question remains ... why did ducati/marlboro start discussions with lorenzo in the first place?  do they not feel that casey will come back to top form?  is there a riff between casey and ducati corse, as has been speculated? 

and in parting ... now the speculation is that ducati/marlboro is going after pedrosa.  how ironic would that be for nicky to get his old team mate back again next season? 

I just have a hard time imagining that Ducati could come up with the €€€ to hire Lorenzo. Even if he wanted to leave Yamaha (which would be crazy since he's at least on a par with Rossi equipment-wise) some other factory would likely offer more money than our beloved, but tiny Corse group in Bologna.

[Michael Moore]

Alright then, that makes more sense if the cigarette companies are coughing up (!) the dough.

And I didn't realize that Lorenzo wasn't getting the same stuff at the same time as Rossi. That does suck and I'd leave too.

But please Lord, not Pedrosa.

[Drunken Monkey]

But please Lord, not Pedrosa.

I just vomited inside my mouth.

[Spidey]

Apparently, Douchey McTakeMyTeammateOut "talked" to Ducati.  Can you imagine Pedrosa and Puig all wrapped in one deal?  It'd be like eating a shit sammich topped with puke.

The press lately is that Stoner is coming back.  But it is understandable absent any additional information as to what is wrong with Casey and how badly he is screwed, that Marlboro would seek to pay lots of extra dollars as a contingency.  Without a rider that gets them on the podium, their entire investment in the team is useless.  The problem is that--unless Pedrosa switches, there aren't any more riders out there for them to choose from.  I bet they stick with Stoner and Hayden for next year.  We'll know soon.  They have to pick up the second year of Hayden's option pretty soon if they're going to keep him for next year.

[sally101]

Apparently, Douchey McTakeMyTeammateOut "talked" to Ducati.  Can you imagine Pedrosa and Puig all wrapped in one deal?  It'd be like eating a shit sammich topped with puke.

The press lately is that Stoner is coming back.  But it is understandable absent any additional information as to what is wrong with Casey and how badly he is screwed, that Marlboro would seek to pay lots of extra dollars as a contingency.  Without a rider that gets them on the podium, their entire investment in the team is useless.  The problem is that--unless Pedrosa switches, there aren't any more riders out there for them to choose from.  I bet they stick with Stoner and Hayden for next year.  We'll know soon.  They have to pick up the second year of Hayden's option pretty soon if they're going to keep him for next year.

I think you are probably right about Hayden sticking around for another year. They have made a big investment in him and his bike. They are essentially running 2 different GP bikes with the same engine at this point.. They'll probably give Hayden another year on his re-designed bike. Not to mention the Nicky Hayden custom 848 (you too can come in last just like Nicky!!). Casey's return this year will be a good indicator of what will happen next year.. I ,of course, expect him to be unstoppable!