Hayden/Ducati... and silly season

[gm2]

talks finally acknowledged

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69209


"I'm not afraid [of the bike]" 

[gm2]

also: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jul/080718z.htm

[mikeb]

At times, the relationship between Hayden and HRC has been like seeing a friend madly in love with a woman who doesn't, and maybe never will, feel the same way.


That's the best way I've heard his relationship with HRC described.  It killed me when he re-signed with HRC last time around.  He'd better jump ship this time.......

[gm2]

i bet he already has.

[Pakhan]

Run nicky!  Run!!!!

I hope he leaves HRC and goes anywhere.  The guy is a good rider and seems to have exceptionally bad luck with them and little support for a former world champ.  no matter what you want to say about his championship he still won because he rode and got the points.

I think he already signed with Ducati as well.

[mikeb]

The guy is a good rider and seems to have exceptionally bad luck with them and little support for a former world champ.  no matter what you want to say about his championship he still won because he rode and got the points.

I agree.  I think he won despite HRC in 2006.  They had him testing parts while he was leading the points.  Not to mention the lack of team orders that led to the Pedro incident.  I don't think he gets the credit he deserves because he wasn't on the same 211v the rest of the Honda riders were. 

Not saying he's Rossi.  But he's surely a top 5 rider.  I'd love to see him leave HRC and start popping up on the podium again.

[gm2]

there's absolutely no getting around the fact that spanish-owned series, spanish mega sponsor, spanish top rider = no room for the kentucky kid @ repsol honda.  it was plainly obvious that they were off-handedly happy about 2006 but that they put all their eggs in pedro's tiny little basket well before nicky won the title.  but he had already re-signed well before that.

as we've discussed here (or TOB) a million times, the one guy that can ride a GP7/8 competitively also has a dirt track background.  nicky is probably jealous watching that thing buck around exiting every corner.  if there's anyone else in the series, incl 250, that might have a chance on it, it's nicky.  

casey, nicky, and ducati are the one going exception to the rule/my theory about why GP really went to 800s and the type of riding style Dorna/FIM want to promote.

also as we've discussed many times, before stoner got the job in '07, they had offered it to nicky.. after they had offered it to valentino.  stoner was 3rd choice.  

[sbrguy]

there's absolutely no getting around the fact that spanish-owned series, spanish mega sponsor, spanish top rider = no room for the kentucky kid @ repsol honda.  it was plainly obvious that they were off-handedly happy about 2006 but that they put all their eggs in pedro's tiny little basket well before nicky won the title.  but he had already re-signed well before that.

as we've discussed here (or TOB) a million times, the one guy that can ride a GP7/8 competitively also has a dirt track background.  nicky is probably jealous watching that thing buck around exiting every corner.  if there's anyone else in the series, incl 250, that might have a chance on it, it's nicky.  

casey, nicky, and ducati are the one going exception to the rule/my theory about why GP really went to 800s and the type of riding style Dorna/FIM want to promote.

also as we've discussed many times, before stoner got the job in '07, they had offered it to nicky.. after they had offered it to valentino.  stoner was 3rd choice.  

if that is true that nicky was offered it first, he was proabaly kicking himself seeing the success stoner had in 07 and now in 08.. with any luck maybe he can get on a duc next season and be competitive again. but like all pro sports, its a lot of talk and rumors till the official anouncement

if hayden is so stubborn not to ride for another manufacturer for whatever reason bc he likes riding for a team that may not really appreciate him, then he deserves whatever decision he makes good or bad.

[gm2]

it is true.  they offered the job to valentino, nicky, and casey in that order.

[derby]

it is true.  they offered the job to valentino, nicky, and casey in that order.

you forgot marco (but he was under contract).

[CairnsDuc]

One thing I have noted with Honda (HRC) they have a funny way of handing out the Go Fast Bits, Hayden has had to beg and plead for the Air spring Motor, He made mention on a few occasions they were demanding results, or no go fast bits, A number of other riders over the years said similar things, most notably Doohan and Gardner said the same, If A rider had the Talent, they would limit the potential of that rider by limiting the New/Improved Go fast bits, get the results! and get the new Toys!

Does that not defy logic?

I understand that Budgets can be tight, but why hold back a part that could give them that winning edge, just because a rider can't be at the pointy end of the field? If the Test riders and propellor heads develop a good part. That very part could be the difference between 15th and 1st, yet I have read on many occasions that part is held back until the riders gets better results. Surely if it is better for the bike, put it on and use it now.
Yes, I understand put the priority on your lead rider, but surely once that part is proven to make difference in a positive way give it to your 2nd rider ASAP to try and improve the whole teams position.

Ducati has stated on a number of occasions that everything that was developed for Stoners bike and made a positive difference, was made available for Melandri in a very short period of time. 

Yet Honda's insistence on results first, good bits will come with the results, to me is stupidity.

Tell me if I'm wrong on this, but as a casual observer of MotoGP team politics over the years, that's my take on it anyway.

[jswledhed]

"I'm not afraid at all, even though he's really phenomenal at the moment," he added. "With Casey I could work better than I do now with Pedrosa, because our riding styles are more similar.

Bingo.

[lawbreaker]

I for one would love to see Nicky with a supportive team behind him..........

... in RED..........


..... and on the podium

[sh]

I hope this happens.

[mitt]

Maybe the Italians can tailor a cap THAT FITS RIGHT!  I would like Nicky more if he didn't look like such a goof on the world stage.


mitt