Rossi vs. Ducati...and more spoilers

[koko64]

I really thought that Rossi would be the guy Ducati would listen to. I think they genuinely have tried to give him what he wants. They built him a Japanese type alloy beam frame and ditched their own innovation which would have hurt.
Ducati are just struggling to get the bike to the percentage needed to be truly competitive.

There's one other thing, Rossi's self confidence and incredible self belief are dented for the first time since I've seen him race. This is outside his normal experience, so he is acting out in a way we fans are not used to.

[Spidey]

I don't entirely understand what the controversy is here.  Rossi is fed up with having the bike suck, and is starting to get publicly frustrated.  Why is that a problem?  Hayden's approach for the last couple of years has sold himself--and Ducati--short.

And why is everyone always looking to call someone or another a whiner?  Racers are always asked about how their race.  When they say anything other than "I just didn't go fast enough" or give a technical answer, they're accused of blaming the machine or whining.  WTF?  I'd rather hear the technical stuff than hear Nicky's good-ole-boy BS about how we're workin' real hard, we have to do better, and shucks, we'll just keep plowin' through the tough times, doggoneit. 

[koko64]

It's as much sensationalism as controversy.
The controversy is about how much the problem is him and how much the machine. The sensation is that he is in such a hapless position and unable to ride around the problems when he always could in the past. When the Yamaha had problems, he still got on the podium and won a few races, despite the occasional crash.
Ducati have tried real hard for Rossi, harder for him than for anyone else in GP.

[Raux]

Personally i think the gp bike is beyond preziosi‘s ability and rossi sees it that's why attack the bike

[triangleforge]

About how much of this interview do you think Burgess would like to take back these days?

http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_1010_jeremy_burgess_talks_about_his_move_to_ducati_motogp_with_rossi/index.html

"I don’t think there are any issues in the bike that are a big worry to me."

[zooom]

I'm a little surprised by KRJ's comments - "...having the perfect bike every season...." Hey Ken, it has nothing to do with luck, and Rossi proved in 2004 (and Casey on the Duc, too) that the "perfect" bike isn't necessary, but one that's competitive is.

I think his comments there are quite valid given how you NOW seemingly tune a bike to the tires and set the ever expansive electronics on these machines nowadays....the 500 2smokes and the 990's were a different animal in how you could take a marginal machine and work with it using rider talent to overcompensate...hence why Rossi was able to make the 2004 Yammie hit as hard as it did on the grid...it was much more the rider and his right hand and less about the chassis and set up ( not saying I am negating the bike, but set-up, etc. issues were much more overcomable)

the 800 era changed alot of that...and Casey in 07 had several things working in his favor with that GP7...he had a bike that had more power than anyone saw coming in the way it rocketshipped on the straights and fired out of the corners....it also had the almost exclusive relationship with Bridgestone of development from/with the machine due to most everyone else using Michelin....and it had Casey's youth and will to ride the machine past it's limits like he does( AND DID on the LCR/Givi 990 Honda RC211V)....pair that with the game of electronics that started to ramp way up in 08 on and forcing the more parade like pattern of racing that we got for the duration of the 800 era....which started to move the evolution of machine importance over rider in terms of abilities....and in that sense, I think to a good degree...he is right on the money....

[fastwin]

^ What he said. Parade racing indeed.

[gm2]

And why is everyone always looking to call someone or another a whiner? 

bingo.

[IdZer0]

This is why I'm a Rossi fan:



He makes the show worth watching. Ever since he moved to Ducati MotoGP's been boring. Whether it's the rider or the bike, we'll have to wait a couple of years to really know.

You have to give Lorenzo and Casey credit though, you need two to Tango.

[gm2]

Phillip Island, 2003.  10 second penalty.  Won by 15 seconds.

[Speeddog]

David Emmett sums it all up nicely:

http://www.motomatters.com/opinion/2012/04/17/between_the_devil_and_the_deep_blue_sea_.html

[gm2]

David Emmett sums it all up nicely:

doesn't he always.

[koko64]

The Island display by Rossi has to be one of the greatest wins ever.

[derby]

Phillip Island, 2003.  10 second penalty.  Won by 15 seconds.

 

[Triple J]

Great article!