2011 Silly Season

[derby]

Considering that Stoner won on the unridable Ducati, I think he will just be plain fast on the Honda. I have him winning the title this year.

winning on the "unrideable" ducati vs crashing like mad on the "perfect" rc211v...

[tufty]

Considering that Stoner won on the unridable Ducati, I think he will just be plain fast on the Honda. I have him winning the title this year.

When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

Last year Stoners head was full of visions of Vale leering over the naked body of his new bride every time he mounted that bike. I think prolly at that level, racing is 99.9% mental and Stoner's head just wasn't in it... When he showed flashes of brilliance and kicked everyone's ass, was the bike "unridable" then too?

[derby]

When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

Last year Stoners head was full of visions of Vale leering over the naked body of his new bride every time he mounted that bike. I think prolly at that level, racing is 99.9% mental and Stoner's head just wasn't in it... When he showed flashes of brilliance and kicked everyone's ass, was the bike "unridable" then too?

<wooosh>

[gm2]

When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

for anyone but stoner, 2007.

and i don't think his crashing last year was mental.  there were real issues with the front end that no one could ride around, even casey.

[derby]

for anyone but stoner, 2007.

and i don't think his crashing last year was mental.  there were real issues with the front end that no one could ride around, even casey.

very insightful comments about how the spec tire changed the game:

Mamola gives his .02 on what to expect...

http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_1101_randy_mamola_gives_his_unique_view_on_valentino_rossi_and_ducati_2011_motogp/index.html

[gm2]

very insightful comments about how the spec tire changed the game:

 

[Triple J]

Interesting article. 

[duccarlos]

The Ducs looked downright slow in today's testing. Of all the major teams, they have the longest to go to become competitive.

[ducpainter]

Wait....Stoner won the title on Bridgestones, didn't he...so is the Bridgestone spec tire used in 2010 that much different than the one he won on?

Or am I off by a year?

Yes he did.

Wasn't Ducati the only one using 'Stones that year?

Maybe the tire was made for the bike.

[OT]

It's explained in Mamola's article, which I should have read before I posed my question (something I've been guilty of since 1st grade) 

Article is also interesting in that his comments seem (to me) to paint Rossi's great challenge more as just getting the bike to work as a championship contender, less as Rossi's quest for another title.  I suppose if Rossi can accomplish the former then the latter has a big chance of falling in place.

[derby]

they weren't the only ones using bridgestones, but they were the only championship-capable team on 'em.

in those years, the tires were indeed built specifically for the bikes, not the other way around like it is now with the control tire.

[ducpainter]

they weren't the only ones using bridgestones, but they were the only championship-capable team on 'em.

in those years, the tires were indeed built specifically for the bikes, not the other way around like it is now with the control tire.

Zook doesn't count.

[derby]

Zook doesn't count.

i seem to remember at least one of the honda teams on 'stones, too.

[ducpainter]

i seem to remember at least one of the honda teams on 'stones, too.

That's why we keep you here. 

Someone has to remember. 

[derby]

That's why we keep you here. 

Someone has to remember. 

uh huh...

kawasaki was running 'em, too... i just remembered. 

so... all the ducatis, kawasaki, suzuki, and at least one of the honda teams... ~10 bikes?