MotoGP 2015 Argentina ***SPOILER***

[The Don]

I read somewhere stoner has just re-signed with HRC as a test rider, he won't be going anywhere

[koko64]

If he's no longer tied to Honda, he can go anywhere.

[ducpainter]

He is, or was. If the desire is still there, and it wasn't, but maybe he's sick of hunting on the farm and it's coming back. Honda knocking him back may just play into Ducati's hands (or Suzuki's). He might win on three makes yet.

He should replace Melandri on the Ape.

The whining noise would be epic.

Casey has always been a talented rider and, like you say, if the desire is there he could be competitive on the right bike in GP today. Lorenzo is on the right bike...why was he 10s back in 5th, or a better question is why did he let everyone go past without much fight? Arm pump...helmet issue...spider in his leathers?

Casey's problem has always been a lack of desire for the 'show'.

I read somewhere stoner has just re-signed with HRC as a test rider, he won't be going anywhere

Linky?

[HotIce]

Keeping a winning head for many years, without melting or going into existential crisis, is what makes the difference between GOATs and couple-o-champions winners 

[thought]

Linky?

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/01/14/hrc-renews-relationship-with-casey-stoner/165898

It seems that it's through 2015 and not past it.  2016 is still open and with the change to Michelins then I would say that that would be the best time for him to re enter the fold.  That being said, the only spot on a factory Honda that I could see him taking up would be Pedrosa's spot but he's in contract till the end of 2016.

[ducpainter]

ahhh...knew about that one. Don's post made it sound like a 'new' deal.

[duccarlos]

Is he? Is Dani still an Alien...or George? Is

If all winning in GP was putting an Alien on a bike Aprilia could hire You'reghey and he'd win...right?

This whole discussion goes back to the Honda mentality that it's only the bike, and any rider can win...just in reverse.

It takes a package IMO, and the wrong rider on the right bike can't win any easier than the right rider on the wrong bike.

It's why they line up on Sunday...you never know what can happen once the red lights go out.

+1 Jorghey is where he needs to be. The Yamaha fits his riding style perfectly. The Honda fits MM perfectly. If Suzuki doesn't completely ignore the program, like they did previously, they should be up there in a few years. The Ape needs the power of the unibrow.

JLO's issues have to be mental. In the case of this specific race, he's not used to coming back strong like Rossi. He's more known to be hyper aggressive on the first couple of laps. Knowing this, I would have suggested that he use the hard option tire instead of the extra hard. That would have allowed him to go off with MM, but that would have meant a battle with the kid, which must be avoided at all cost.

[The Architect]

Two things need to happen for J-Lo to win:

1. Everything must be perfect.
2. He needs to jump out front in the first two laps.



Ducati needs a well rounded rider to jump in and help.  Like Rossi 
 

[duccarlos]

Two things need to happen for J-Lo to win:

1. Everything must be perfect.
2. He needs to jump out front in the first two laps.



Ducati needs a well rounded rider to jump in and help.  Like Rossi 
 

But without the Rossi debacle there would not be a new Duc. They unfortunately burned 2 bridges, Rossi and Stoner.

[The Architect]

But without the Rossi debacle there would not be a new Duc. They unfortunately burned 2 bridges, Rossi and Stoner.

Rossi has the right attitude and riding style for developing a bike.  Casey and MM's win it or bin it attitude make it hard to develop a bike. 

[Triple J]

Two things need to happen for J-Lo to win:

1. Everything must be perfect.
2. He needs to jump out front in the first two laps.

I agree. JLo is in his own head right now. We'll see how he looks when they get back to Europe though.

Rossi has the right attitude and riding style for developing a bike.  Casey and MM's win it or bin it attitude make it hard to develop a bike. 

Disagree completely. Neither has a win it or bin it attitude IMO. Casey binned it a lot at the end due to the front end of the Duc being crap. MM has crashed in what, 3 races total? He's remarkably composed for his age. Either can develop a bike (HRC likely agrees, since they signed Casey as a test rider).

...and sorry everyone. Neither Rossi or Stoner will ever ride a Ducati GP bike again. Rossi will retire a Yamaha legend...and Stoner will never forgive Ducati for the way he was treated (mainly for the JLo salary offer debacle).

I'm also with DP...Yamaha can have JLo. That guy is the biggest whiner/excuse maker in the paddock.

[lazylightnin717]

Lorenzo has to be hurting right now. But he is a world champion and I'm sure that he will bring it back. The beginning of last season was terrible for him but he pulled it together by the end...if I remember correctly.

[Grampa]

Jlo will be back when he learns how to have fun.

[duccarlos]

Jlo will be back when he learns how to have fun.

So... never?

[1.21GW]

Lorenzo has to be hurting right now. But he is a world champion and I'm sure that he will bring it back. The beginning of last season was terrible for him but he pulled it together by the end...if I remember correctly.

He may pick up his game but the field is much stronger so returning to second-half-last-season's form is now only good to secure 4th or 5th place.  Val is improved and MM remains the alien of all aliens, plus the ducs have the power to regularly compete at the front.  Hell, even the zook led for a half a lap.



Tell, me, does VR's success at yamaha have anything to do with this?  My thinking is that JL was #1 and VR #2 when VR returned last year, which means any shared resources or design plans would favor JL (that is, the #1 rider).  But VR starting performing better and proved to be #1 rider, in which case maybe yamaha's resources/designs switched to be VR-based?  Especially in the off season.  Hence VR improving over last year and JL sliding a bit.

Just a thought.