levigarrett

I coud be misinterpreting things, but at the conclusion of this weekends events I couldn't help but notice a different although somewhat nuanced change in Nicky's typically upbeat interview demeanor. In years past, he's generally been encouraging and confident when discussing his team, his bike and his sincere belief that things will improve and that progress is being made. So far this season, I'm not seeing that in any of his MotoGP press encounters. He looks tired and dare I say...... defeated! I apologize in advance for those who aren't following me. I'm speaking specifically in reference to the short interviews found on the MotoGP website.



I think years of struggling on the machine are beginning to take a toll on him and he's having difficulty hiding it. A cursory examination of the results from the other Ducati riders (save Rossi) so far are also proving to be staggeringly poor. RdP looks fairly disgusted while Loris begins to discuss his evacuation from the series. We don't get to see much from Abraham but I'm sure if his father wasn't funding his adventure, he'd also be looking for his pink slip. The other riders who've failed on the machine and were subsequently ejected from the series (Kallio, Canepa) are an unfortunate reminder of the Ducati's recent history.



Anyone else reading the tea leaves this way? Nicky looks unhappy to me. He doesn't look like a guy who believes in the product anymore.

Mental Anarchist

I agree. I think he realises that he is nothing more than someones test rider much the same way as Edwards was. I think his demeanour is also a result of knowing that he has no where better to go. Factory rides are sealed now for the next 5 years I reckon with the new spanish and italian blood that is coming through the lower ranks so the best he can hope for is a satellite ride or the New Factory Ducati Superbike in 2012.

Pigeon

Agree

not having a go at Nicky or others

its the sport msna etc there ideas / rules over the years have brought this sport to this shit

give a few elite riders the top kit any one else gets shit on publicly on the track with the junk there given



looks who bothered about motogp zaki suki aprillia bmw KRJR private teams etc no one



its a farce and its not long ago Ducati returned to the series

where would motogp be today if they didnt field there bikes in 2011

IT WOULD BE A NONE EVENT



they've pissed about so much

900cc 800cc fuel restrictions 1spec tire engine restrictions



and coming up is 1000cc still with 21 ltrs of piss to be used

and honda are talking fuel development to compete what utter shit

2012 is going no where



it wont be long before Rossi moves on

i say that because money coming to the sport and tv viewing figures will plummet

how will Dorna try and sell motogp then



Nicky and others need to think what there doing

is it the odd bit off tv coverage and small interview doing shit in motogp



or is it career satisfaction id much rather be a winner and podium regular in wsbk and bsb etc

than touch motogp with a 20ft barge pole these days



god i get better satisfaction watching 40 riders in superstock 1000/600 in the Italian sbk series

going into a turn one on any given track it makes the hair on your back stand up

than watch anything that happens on a whole race day in motogp



and Dorna / tracks want to charge you top ££$$ to go near this comedy show

they really are muppets



the sooner its shoved off main stream tv to some obscure tv channels the better

one thing for sure i wont pay one penny to watch it

mylexicon

I think Nicky is finally coming to grips with the effect of the 800cc 21L era on his career, and I think he is giving up hope that the situation will change in MotoGP. I'm sure a lot of the riders were hopeful that the 21L rule would be done away with, but now that Nicky has tested the new bike, perhaps the continuity of the 21L rule is setting in.



Nicky is a much better rider than people think he is, but now he is confronted with a couple more years of midpack circulation or a jump to WSBK which has an uncertain future with all of the manufacturer meetings and now the announcement that Pirelli will not be supplying after 2013.



Motorcycle racing is so up-in-the-air these days, it's hard not to look disheveled and burned out. I can't think of anyone in the paddock who is happy. I would have said Pedrosa before this weekend, but now he's more stressed than ever. The hell of this formula is stripping MotoGP of the spirit of competition that powered the paddock during the 990 era. What could be worse for a rider than losing races b/c fuel capacity is insufficient? Why bother?



They are all getting there. They just need to band together and strike until they get another 3L.

Talpa

Too true lex, Stoner was even pushing the Honda into the pits after the race on Sunday.



So when will somebody dismantle the msma? You would think that 2012 is a nice opportunity for a fresh start on this fuel reg.

cliché guevara

looking at 2006 ,all they need is one more liter...

povol

Nicky knew Stoner was fast, but like many people, probably questioned his development skills. When it was announced that JB and Rossi were coming, im sure Nicky got a little excited. Being a test bitch for the number 1 rider is something he has gotten used to,so being Rossi's bitch [again] was not anything new, plus he would be on a title contending bike. Now that reality has set in on the fact that not even JB and Rossi can wave a magic wand and fix the Duc, im sure the reality of his future may be setting in. Of course, Ducati might finally realize that its their quirky machine, and not the ever growing list of ex riders is the problem, and keep him around.You might have differing opinions on Nicky's skills as a rider, but one thing that almost everyone can agree on, he is a great teammate, he will be a great spokesman for your product, and he is genuinely liked around the globe.If Ducati doesnt figure out something fast, they might find it hard to draw a top rider to the team, even a young rider who is itching to have a factory ride with that factory salary.

ptk50

It is truly sad what a bunch of bureaucrats are doing to what used to be the most exciting engine driven sport. Who gives a shit about 10 to 15% fuel economy. Just about everybody knows that ICE's are basically inefficient and will die out - fortunately not in my lifetime - and when it does, then with a BANG and not a whimper -(Conrad, Joseph - thx - before I'm accused of plagiarism)



It's time to return MotoGP to the true circus it should be - define formulas with capacity limits, weight of machine, 2 wheels, any # cylinders, bore and stroke free choice - the rest is innovation and racing. Ducati is in a crazy position with over a third of the bikes on the grid and competing (despite VR/J primarily in the 2nd division of MotoGP - Crap what would it look like if Duc pulled a KawaSuzi - we'd be left with 6 Hondas and 4 Yams - the sport will soon need cheerleaders to fill in the gaps between circulating riders. Give the teams the 24 liters or more - it's up to them to pay for lesser early race handling vs more fuel on board.

Jumkie

JohnnyKnockdown

I used to read every press release, watch every practice and QP. I subscribed to MGP.com and would wake up in the middle of the night to see the race live on a blurry 16 inch computer screen.

I feel that Nickys mood is an extension of my own. I don't find myself caring much at all anymore. The lack of good racing and the downward spiral of Nickys career have taken their toll. Jumkie texted me on sunday morn and asked if I watched the race. My 1st thought was "what race?"

If you are not satisfied as a consumer than I would not purchase the MGP subscription. I have been without it for 3 years now. I saw the writing on the wall and it was enough for me