2011 Silly Season

[Spidey]

Not only that, but all the Ducatis--factory and satellite--share data with one another.  Kallio last year, when he was given the factory ride for a coupla races, said it was almost exactly the same as what he was riding.

Besides, in terms of how they treat their riders and the heirarchy of who gets what go-fast goodies, Ducati is not Honda

[desmoquattro]

I'm under the impression that Ducati supplies very similar bikes to 'customers' as they supply to the factory team.  More so than Honda/Yamaha.  I think the biggest pitfall has been the Ducati being more difficult to ride, not the quality of the bike.  You'd have to imagine the other riders are hoping Rossi and crew can help tweak that bike into something a bit more balanced, which will help all the teams in question.

I've been under the same impression. They seem to have made a stride toward general ridability this year with the big bang engine, but given that Rossi will be testing both that engine and the screamer in...oh...a few hours, who knows? Of course, they've stated that the GP11 won't be too radically removed from the GP10 so they can focus on developing the 9XXcc GP12.

[Jester]

Speaking of 2011.  Am I the only one that thinks if Stoner keeps the bike upright, he's going to be VERY difficult to beat?  I have a feeling he's going to be stupid fast on that Honda.  Its a pretty sorted bike now, and clearly the fastest in a straight line.  It could be a nightmare reunion for the rest of the grid.

[Speeddog]

Depends if the Honda will respond favorably to the caning that Stoner dishes out.

[gm2]

Speaking of 2011.  Am I the only one that thinks if Stoner keeps the bike upright, he's going to be VERY difficult to beat?

nope.  he'll be very dangerous.  i think the whole paddock is appropriately nervous.

[avizpls]

except that he is on an HRC honda? 

[zooom]

except that he is on an HRC honda? 

I saw that too...so it begs the question...why the difference?...isn't the Repsol Honda an HRC team bike?

[ducpainter]

I saw that too...so it begs the question...why the difference?...isn't the Repsol Honda an HRC team bike?

Yes,

But it looks like Repsol isn't/doesn't want to sponsor Casey.

Is HRC footing the entire bill or is there another sponsor?

[gm2]

there were several reports on sunday/monday that there would be 3 Repsol Hondas.  so i dunno what's up with 'HRC'

[ducpainter]

Maybe it's just a contractual detail like Rossi not on a red bike?

[gm2]

prolly.  or something.  they were very clear that there would be 3 bikes in repsol duds, that repsol had upped their contribution, etc

[desmoquattro]

prolly.  or something.  they were very clear that there would be 3 bikes in repsol duds, that repsol had upped their contribution, etc

Casey's not in Repsol livery, that's prolly the reason:

[Jester]

Casey's not in Repsol livery, that's prolly the reason:

Its funny how much smaller that Honda looks than his old Duc.

[gm2]

weird.

http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/164979/1/ten_kate_pairs_xaus_with_rea_for_2011.html

[zooom]

maybe...but I bet you'll see more from Ruben on that bike by light years over what Max did...