Can you blame Honda?

As everyone knows I am a huge supporter of Hayden and an outspoken antagonist against the evil HRC empire.

That said, can you really expect Honda to let Nicky learn how to ride Bridgestones before he goes to Ducati?

Repsol only care about Pedro. I don't think they will care where Nick finishes.

No, of course not. If he and dani were sharing data...maybe, but there's no point in helping a rider who's leaving your team at the conclusion of the year to go to a different team on different tires get a head start adapting to those tires.

No point in helping out a competitor unless you stand to gain from it, and I don't think Honda has much to gain from giving him stones. I've got plenty of issue with a lot of stuff in the past, but this is just an obvious business decision.

It would be smart for them to switch him to Bridgestone now and use him to gather more data for next year. Doubtful this will happen.

I don't think we can or we should blame HRC for keeping Nicky on Michelin. One reason could be Nicky's willingness to go ahead with Michelin without making any fuss about the tires. At Indy for most of the earlier part of the race there were 3 Michelins at front followed by 3 Stones. Moreover, it depends a lot on the rider what he can do with the tires. And, I feel Nicky is quite confident about his skills on Michelins.

But, yeah maybe we can say HRC was ignorant not to ask Nicky about it. Anyways, HRC won't care about the second rider till Puig is around arranging all the resources for Dani.

I guess this question is stated with the fact that there will be a single tire in MOTOGP next year? If so, then I agree. Why let him get a head start, or actually win a race ?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Sep 15 2008, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It would be smart for them to switch him to Bridgestone now and use him to gather more data for next year. Doubtful this will happen.
It would be, but only if that data was particularly useful to them. Clearly they've decided that Pedrosa is the direction of the future, and it's been that way for years. Next year's bike is going to be built around that, so Nicky's data isn't necessarily that useful to them. They've already had a virtual wall up in the garage for quite some time - do you think Nicky's data was getting much use?

They knew he was leaving for a long time so why spend development money on him? To hold him back from getting good on Bridgestones makes no sense he'll be good on them in a few tests anyway. And being Honda they don't seem to care about his competitiveness on the Ducati. But they should. Ducati are going to go nuts making him competitive and able to beat Honda.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Sep 15 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I guess this question is stated with the fact that there will be a single tire in MOTOGP next year? If so, then I agree. Why let him get a head start, or actually win a race ?

What?

I'm saying HRC don't want Nicky to get a feel for the Stones before moving to Marlboro Ducati next season. Hayden is not a fan of the split garage, I really doubt he's going to entertain Michelin next season on a factory Ducati.

Honda not wanting to help Nicky is pretty obvious. But another reason could be that Dovi will be on Michelins next year.

I don't know 1% of all the dealing left to right that Puig/Pedrosa/Honda did to get him the Bridgestones.I read somewhere that Repsol spent some extra money or something to pay for the switch.Maybe that was only enough for one rider.This is just a guess though.
In any case it makes sense that Honda wasn't interrested in supplying Hayden with Bridgestones because they knew he was going to change team probarbly a long time ago.Pedrosa sais himself by the way that he doesn't have much use of the data from Haydens' testing,so Hayden would only help himself.Then as he is going to the Duc. team probarbly convinced them even more to keep Bridgestones away from him.

This has nothing to do with not helping Nicky , it's purely for financial reasons.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Sep 16 2008, 08:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Honda not wanting to help Nicky is pretty obvious. But another reason could be that Dovi will be on Michelins next year.

I was thinking the same thing initially, but the customer bike is reportedly going to be pneumatic next season and you have to ask yourself:

Would HRC provide DeAngelis and Elias with better kit than Dovi?

If Dovi is on Michelins next year, it will guarantee that the governing body controls the advancement of satellite equipment.

No way Gresini gets pneumatic valves from HRC without sending a grandfathered Bridgestone contract back.

I'll bet the Ducati deal was signed months ago. It's in HRC way of showing their love of Hayden. Seriously, I'll bet Honda had to fork out some big bucks and promises to Bridgestone, and couldn't afford to put that kind of money into Hayden.

Has anyone considered Repsol being a one bike team? I know it already is this way, but officially? HRC could give Dovi a factory ride with his current team.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Sep 16 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>...it will guarantee that the governing body controls the advancement of satellite equipment.
You make a good point. But I still think Dovi will be on Michelin. HRC has little incentive to pressure Bridgestone further. Dovi is already well proven on Mich. Mich def wants a winner on their rubber. Puig is looking for reasons to split the HRC garage. Fiat Yam has pulled a two tire team off.

The tire issue is a tough one. I don't know how tire manufacturers are compensated. Following the money usually gives the best clues.
Bridgestone says it really can't handle so many riders (basically saying it needs Michelin to make itself look better). But why hasn't Pirelli tried? Dunlop is sht, but why haven't they put a bid in?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Sep 16 2008, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You make a good point. But I still think Dovi will be on Michelin. HRC has little incentive to pressure Bridgestone further. Dovi is already well proven on Mich. Mich def wants a winner on their rubber. Puig is looking for reasons to split the HRC garage. Fiat Yam has pulled a two tire team off.

The tire issue is a tough one. I don't know how tire manufacturers are compensated. Following the money usually gives the best clues.
Bridgestone says it really can't handle so many riders (basically saying it needs Michelin to make itself look better). But why hasn't Pirelli tried? Dunlop is sht, but why haven't they put a bid in?

It is going to be interesting. I suppose Dovi could maybe be on Michelin if Repsol only care about Pedrosa.

Mamola has said on numerous occasions that Dani has 1 more chance and then he's history. Dovi is being picked up on a 1 year option. Maybe he's settled for slightly better equipment so that he can be positioned to take Pedrosa's spot, if the floor falls from under the Puig/Pedrosa duo. If that happens will Repsol stay?

If Repsol stay would Dovi be dumb enough to hang around knowing there are plenty of 250 Spaniards waiting in the wings?

Tire manufacturers operate at a big loss. Bridgestone used to supply for peanuts (allegedly) and Dunlops were once free.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Sep 16 2008, 08:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If Repsol stay would Dovi be dumb enough to hang around knowing there are plenty of 250 Spaniards waiting in the wings?
Tire manufacturers operate at a big loss. Bridgestone used to supply for peanuts (allegedly) and Dunlops were once free.
Based on my trip to Jerez, I'm 100% confident Repsol stays a big sponsor in MotoGP.
If Dani does go after 2009, they'll need Dovi as a hedge while the new Spaniard gets acclimated.

A factory ride is always gonna be better than a customer Honda. This alone would make Dovi stay. Other benefits of a the split garage are having a focused Michelin (just 5 riders?), and the chance of a big money sub-sponser (insert Italian co here). Repsol has 111 stations in Italy (just over half size of Spain with 18 million more people). No market to sneeze at for them.

Base on what you say, why in the world would Bridgestone take on anymore riders without getting a fat paycheck? Repsol won't pay on Dovi's behalf, will they?

IMO only ........ break contracts earley

I like Clarky's call on this one... If (BIG if) there is no control tyre next year, Repsol (and Fiat/Yamaha) have the personnel in place to win regardless of which tyre manufacturer performs better at various circuits.