MotoGP Jerez 2014 *** Spoilers ***

[Triple J]

I couldn't find the quote, but if Cal said the bike's not progressing,

That was Stoner's main complaint. What you started the season with is what you got.

[lazylightnin717]

That was Stoner's main complaint. What you started the season with is what you got.

But that can't be the case this year with Marlboro on the line demanding better results

[Triple J]

But that can't be the case this year with Marlboro on the line demanding better results

Who knows. They gave Rossi and JB everything they needed, and it didn't help.

Interestingly, Stoner said the carbon fiber frame bike they gave him was a good idea, and he thought it could have been a great bike. They just needed to commit the needed resources, which they didn't do.

[thought]

Who knows. They gave Rossi and JB everything they needed, and it didn't help.

Interestingly, Stoner said the carbon fiber frame bike they gave him was a good idea, and he thought it could have been a great bike. They just needed to commit the needed resources, which they didn't do.

Did Stoner say that too?  I thought it was Hayden that said that he was actually doing better with the CF frame before they went back to twin spar AL for Rossi.

I'd still like to see them go back to a CF frame as it seems that the duc's probs weren't related to the frame at all.  If anything just to see more innovation coming from the paddock rather than everyone following the same mold.

[koko64]

I agree.
I know I'm not alone in saying this and it's been said plenty, but I hate seeing the bikes morph together in design to chase the tyres, it shits me.
It's just so interesting to watch the different strengths and weaknesses of design philosophies battle it out at different tracks. Thankfully the Honda and Yamaha have different characteristics to keep it interesting. I cant blame MM for being too good.

I hope Gigi doesn't completely "un Ducati" the design (whatever that means) . I'm sure he's smart enough to keep the company's strengths, but handle the weaknesses. While they went from bad to worse mimicking the Japanese factories, at least they made podium and occasionally won on the carbon framed bike. Pity carbon dampens feedback. I wonder how thin or flexy it's gotta be to give good feel.
I say it again, bring back the trellis!

I hope Suzuki commit to using an inline 4. They're good at that.

[triangleforge]

Interesting comments by Dovi on where the bike stands now in relation to the top 4, and where they need to take it:

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204112/1/dovi-top-four-ride-in-a-completely-different-way.html

[Triple J]

Did Stoner say that too?  I thought it was Hayden that said that he was actually doing better with the CF frame before they went back to twin spar AL for Rossi.

I'm reading his autobiography now. He claims the bike had a lot of potential, it just needed the development commitment which they wouldn't provide. He also says he thinks it is unfair that Preziosi took the blame, saying he thought he was a genius engineer.

[Triple J]

I hope Gigi doesn't completely "un Ducati" the design (whatever that means) .

Gigi is a twin spar guy too. Time will tell.

[Jester]

But that can't be the case this year with Marlboro on the line demanding better results

Their progress is the same bike with more fuel, more engines, soft tire for qualy, and spec software that happens to be theirs  .  They progressed slightly without actually changing anything.

[lazylightnin717]

That's certainly one way of looking at it.

If I was paying zillions of dollars in sponsor money to Ducati, I would want more than that.

I think Marlboro would agree with me.

[thought]

That's certainly one way of looking at it.

If I was paying zillions of dollars in sponsor money to Ducati, I would want more than that.

I think Marlboro would agree with me.

Not only that but not even being allowed to fly their brand on the bike and not being to mention their name as the sponsor...

I'm always amazed that Phillip Morris even gives the Duc team a single cent anymore.  I'm a bit stumped as to what benefit it gives back to the company beyond the fact that Marlboro has a reputation of sponsoring racing.

[Triple J]

I'm always amazed that Phillip Morris even gives the Duc team a single cent anymore.  I'm a bit stumped as to what benefit it gives back to the company beyond the fact that Marlboro has a reputation of sponsoring racing.

Amazes me a bit too...they also sponsor the Ferrari F1 team. In the end everyone knows the barcode is for Marlboro, and smoking is still popular in Europe...but I think just as important is they might just like racing.

[thought]

Amazes me a bit too...they also sponsor the Ferrari F1 team. In the end everyone knows the barcode is for Marlboro, and smoking is still popular in Europe...but I think just as important is they might just like racing.

I think the issue is that most people who like racing are actually way more into the winning part of racing haha

[SpikeC]

 Tax writeoff.

[Triple J]

Tax writeoff.

I almost said that as well.