2014 Silly Season?...maybe spoilers

[fastwin]

No factory ride for Nicky in 2014
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2013/July/jul1613-hayden-told-no-factory-ducati

"The universally popular American was told by Ducati during last weekend’s German MotoGP round at the Sachsenring’s of the Bologna factory’s plan not to offer him a new deal to keep on a Desmosedici for a sixth season."

Does this really surprise anyone? Nicky... run, do not walk, to WSBK.

[thought]

No factory ride for Nicky in 2014
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2013/July/jul1613-hayden-told-no-factory-ducati

"The universally popular American was told by Ducati during last weekend’s German MotoGP round at the Sachsenring’s of the Bologna factory’s plan not to offer him a new deal to keep on a Desmosedici for a sixth season."

well, we all saw this coming but it still sucks to see him go.  I hope they get the restrictors off of the bike before he gets onto the pani though.

[Triple J]

well, we all saw this coming but it still sucks to see him go.  I hope they get the restrictors off of the bike before he gets onto the pani though.

The rules allow it but apparently there wasn't enough time before the last round to implement it. The next race should be interesting to see if the Duc is near the front.

[Raux]

rumors coming out of italian media is they didn't offer it to him, due to an offer to Stoner

[Jester]

rumors coming out of italian media is they didn't offer it to him, due to an offer to Stoner

Stoner was originally going to take the offer, but refused to promote the brand in any capacity and asked Ducati Corse to paint the bike matte black with no sponsors.

[ducpainter]

It's official...

Ducati Corse sucks.

Cal would be an idiot to take the deal.

[duccarlos]

It's official...

Ducati Corse sucks.

Cal would be an idiot to take the deal.

We all know that Corse has sucked for many a year, but what made it official? The fact is that Nicky was just there to sell bikes in the US. He has not shown much in terms of being able to ride the stupid bike. It's a miracle he's still there. He should have run for the hills years ago.

[ducpainter]

We all know that Corse has sucked for many a year, but what made it official? The fact is that Nicky was just there to sell bikes in the US. He has not shown much in terms of being able to ride the stupid bike. It's a miracle he's still there. He should have run for the hills years ago.

even Stoner couldn't ride the abomination they've built.

As far as him running for the hills...

he's loyal...

unlike Corse.

I can only hope he tells Ducati to make the beast with two backs off and rides a Kwack in SBK.

[duccarlos]

The only loyalty they have shown him has been paying him a regular check. I understand him playing second fiddle to Stoner and Rossi, but to Dovi? make the beast with two backs that shit. I would take the shitty Honda in WSBK before the Duc.

[ducpainter]

The only loyalty they have shown him has been paying him a regular check. I understand him playing second fiddle to Stoner and Rossi, but to Dovi? make the beast with two backs that shit. I would take the shitty Honda in WSBK before the Duc.

What's funny is the Eurosport guys were talking about Nicky getting tired of the BS and thinking about a mile victory instead of putting his ass on the line every week...

for what?

[OT]

stoner who?

[fastwin]

I can only hope he tells Ducati to make the beast with two backs off and rides a Kwack in SBK.

^ what he said. Nicky would look good in green leathers.

[Triple J]

Why does everyone think Nicky got the shaft? I'm a huge Hayden fan and I just don't see it.

They paid him for 5 years to ride the D16, and he never got any real results (regardless of who's fault that is). From the quotes in the article it sounds like they want him to stay at Ducati, probably in WSBK. That could be a great thing...Bayliss is a legend for Ducati fans due to WSBK (and he too got the GP boot from Corse).

The only way I see he got the shaft is that they never built him a competitive bike.

[ducpainter]

Why does everyone think Nicky got the shaft? I'm a huge Hayden fan and I just don't see it.

They paid him for 5 years to ride the D16, and he never got any real results (regardless of who's fault that is). From the quotes in the article it sounds like they want him to stay at Ducati, probably in WSBK. That could be a great thing...Bayliss is a legend for Ducati fans due to WSBK (and he too got the GP boot from Corse).

The only way I see he got the shaft is that they never built him a competitive bike.

That's true, they haven't given Rossi or Dovi a competitive bike either. Rossi solved the issue his way.

And to reward him for his hard work and loyalty while herding that turd for 5 years they give him a no confidence vote, replace him in GP, and send him to the retirement home?

That sounds like the shaft to me.

[Triple J]

And to reward him for his hard work and loyalty while herding that turd for 5 years they give him a no confidence vote, replace him in GP, and send him to the retirement home?

His hard work was rewarded by a paycheck, probably a significant one. I hear the loyalty thing, but I'm not sure he would have stayed had Yamaha or Honda been beating his door down with a contract (I wouldn't have, and Rossi/Stoner sure didn't).

If I was Hayden I'd be relieved. He gets off that POS, without having to make the choice to "quit" MotoGP. Hopefully he goes to WSBK and starts having fun again on a competitive bike.