Could this pave the way for Hayden to Ducati next year

povol · Mar 28, 2008

When Marco Melandri signed for Ducati, he cannot have foreseen the immense difficulty he would have in getting to grips with the Ducati GP7. Since making the switch from Honda, Melandri has floundered near the back of the field during testing, only managing to stay ahead of the satellite Alice Ducati riders Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli. The measure of his difficulties is summed up in the relief Melandri expressed in managing an 11th place finish at the season opener in Qatar.

It wasn't just Melandri who had been expecting much more from his joining Ducati: Team boss Livio Suppo was also hoping for a lot more from Melandri than the Italian has so far shown, and Suppo's patience is already starting to wear thin. The Ducati boss hinted to the German-language publication Motorsport Aktuell that Melandri's position was far from safe.

"It's not easy for Marco," Suppo told Motorsport Aktuell's Günther Wiesinger. "If we don't manage to get Marco into the top 5 soon, then it may be smarter to only run a single bike in the future." Wiesinger believes that the team and manufacturer standings could be a factor in Ducati's deliberations. With the Yamahas doing exceptionally well at Qatar, all four bikes finishing in the top 7, and a mix of world class veterans and talented rookies riding the bikes, clinching the team championship could well be a very difficult task for Ducati this year.

Melandri is currently on a two year deal with Ducati, but if his poor form continues, then it is unlikely he will see his time out. Not that this will solve Ducati's problems, as it is clear that the Ducati GP7 is a fantastic bike if ridden within a very narrow set of parameters. So far, only Casey Stoner has been able to master those parameters. Whether anyone else can is a major headache for Ducati: crashing is always a possibility in MotoGP, and a single crash could put Stoner out of action for many weeks, turning Ducati from race winners to tail enders in the blink of an eye. The prospect of having to race without Casey Stoner hangs over Ducati's head like a sword of Damocles. So far, that's not been a problem. But all that could change.

I dont know if Nicky can ride the Ducati or not but i would sure like to see him leave Honda and maybe his dirt track back ground could transfer into success on the Duc like it has for Stoner

gsfan · Mar 28, 2008

I will put my dollar in the pile to bet that Nicky Hayden never leaves Honda and visa versa. Think of the marketing potential loss in the US for a second if nothing else. And, Hayden, regardless of his results lately, is a fantastic rider easily able to compete for race wins with the right gear (like anyone else in the series). To say that Honda will can him for his lack of ability is crazy talk. Equally unrealistic is thinking that he will leave Honda. I just don't think it will happen. Honda, within in a few races, will again have the bike to beat and the one everyone will want to ride.

mylexicon · Mar 28, 2008

Hayden is from the school of bike control.

He uses 1 or 2 fingers on his controls and he holds the throttle like it's a small bird--not so tight he crushes it not so loose it flies away.

Do you really think he would be able to force himself to crank the throttle wide open at the apex, and grab a fist full of brake at the end of the straight?

I know you can adjust controls, but I still don't think he could overcome how stiff the bike is alleged to be.

Traverser · Mar 28, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 28 2008, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hayden is from the school of bike control.

He uses 1 or 2 fingers on his controls and he holds the throttle like it's a small bird--not so tight he crushes it not so loose it flies away.

Do you really think he would be able to force himself to crank the throttle wide open at the apex, and grab a fist full of brake at the end of the straight?

I know you can adjust controls, but I still don't think he could overcome how stiff the bike is alleged to be.
That is how he had to adjust since Honda built the bike around the #2(pun intended

). Actually I see your point. I go as far to say Hayden's style is a little like Marco's. Maybe he can adjust! Than again, probably not. IMO he'd be safer go to Suzuki, and able to get them to set the bike up for his riding style.

Tom · Mar 28, 2008

Who actually wants to ride the Ducati though? Last year we all said that Hayden must be kicking himself for turning them down, but now he must be well chuffed. I think Ducati will have trouble getting decent riders if they are gonna feel like the move might backfire.

phleg · Mar 28, 2008

I'm going to risk the wrath of the Hayden-ites.

If Marco can't ride it good, what chance do you think Nicky has? Apart from his championship year Nicky has been consistently beaten by Marco in the championship when they were on equal bikes, Bridgestones aside.

I would be as bold to compare Nicky's style to Toni Elias (both are very heavy on the rear end of the bike), and look where he is at the moment, although Nicky can actually stay in the points consistently.

michaelm · Mar 28, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 28 2008, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Ducati will have trouble getting decent riders if they are gonna feel like the move might backfire.
I think this is true. Melandri was the best available established rider, and quite highly rated overall. It is hard to see why another established rider would take the risk, although it begins to look as though melandri needs to ride a honda.

mylexicon · Mar 28, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Mar 28 2008, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm going to risk the wrath of the Hayden-ites.

If Marco can't ride it good, what chance do you think Nicky has? Apart from his championship year Nicky has been consistently beaten by Marco in the championship when they were on equal bikes, Bridgestones aside.

I would be as bold to compare Nicky's style to Toni Elias (both are very heavy on the rear end of the bike), and look where he is at the moment, although Nicky can actually stay in the points consistently.

I agree but I think Nicky has changed a lot more than people give him credit for. I'm upset he has completely abandoned his old style (the one that got him to GP

) but I'm delighted to see his upper body position has changed to allow him to weight the bike differently and utilize the front tire.

Braking is still his only weakness (he can't do it without kicking the rear sideways); lack of feel during corner entry is the main complaint for many Ducati riders so I don't think Hayden would like the Duc. Maybe he'll start following Lorenzo. As far as I can tell the only way to use the rear without getting out of shape is to do the Lorenzo (run a tight line then swing to the outside during braking before tipping it in). Stoner seems to do this pretty frequently as well--unfortunately Nicky wasn't anywhere near Stoner last season (except PI then he blew up)

If Nicky can put his two skill sets together he'll win another one.

I've said many times he should leave, but it looks as though Fukui has finally stopped the shenanigans and Maname appears to be a different type of HRC principal.

mattsteg · Mar 28, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Mar 28 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm going to risk the wrath of the Hayden-ites.

If Marco can't ride it good, what chance do you think Nicky has? Apart from his championship year Nicky has been consistently beaten by Marco in the championship when they were on equal bikes, Bridgestones aside.
I'm not sure what you mean by "consistently" (or equal bikes, for that matter. How truly equal have they ever had it?).
In 2005 Melandri pipped Hayden by 14 points for 2nd, all of which he took off of Hayden in the last 2 races of the season. Before Marco won those last 2 races they were tied. (Of course, marco had one more retirement than hayden, in a race nicky won, so he was finishing a mid-pack place or so ahead of him per race-finish)
In 2006 Nicky took the title, 24 ahead of Marco. Both had one retirement.
Last year obviously sucked, especially for Hayden. Melandri was 60 points up on him (with a couple fewer retirements/non-starts). Melandri scored more points 13/18 races. Clearly a consistent beating.

They've only been on (nominally) the same bike 3 years in 2 formulas. One year Nicky was world champion. One year he pretty much sucked. The third year they were equal in championship points with 2 races left. Marco won them and Nicky finished 2nd and third.

Their records over that time are just a bit too close to say either rider consistently beat the other. Other than the WC marco's track record is a bit better, but it's not necessarily night and day.

Regarding the elias thing - he's always been inconsistent as hell and all but owes his seat to his performance in one race. Whether he can come to grips with a bike or not doesn't mean a whole lot, and how much will we even know until he's has a significantly larger body of work on the duc? Tough to do much projecting in any direction based on his results.

Austin · Mar 28, 2008

I'd be very surprised if Ducati pull the plug on Marco before his contract is up. It would cost way too much money for the factory to buy out the surely comfortable contract Melandri demanded and got. Even before it gets to that, Melandri is the Italian rider that the Italian factory have wanted for years now. They will give him time to gel with the bike. Melandri is a World Champion, he will adapt to the bike and before you know it he'll be up front where he belongs.

BarryMachine · Mar 28, 2008

I don't even begin to think where this Hayden to Ducati speculation has come from .....

woudn't Ducati's next signing be from the "young up and comers" ?

We should be looking at who in the 125 class may be it.

Pinky · Mar 28, 2008

oh boy. what a b.s post. hayden will do worse than marco on the the ducati. hayden on the BEST bike for over 3 years only ever managed to win 2 races!!!

howard · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Mar 28 2008, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Regarding the elias thing - he's always been inconsistent as hell and all but owes his seat to his performance in one race. Whether he can come to grips with a bike or not doesn't mean a whole lot, and how much will we even know until he's has a significantly larger body of work on the duc? Tough to do much projecting in any direction based on his results.

Elias? "come to grips"? lol. I don't think that's his style!

povol · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Mar 28 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't even begin to think where this Hayden to Ducati speculation has come from .....

woudn't Ducati's next signing be from the "young up and comers" ?

We should be looking at who in the 125 class may be it.

Since he was offered the ride over Casey,that would more fact than speculation.They were more than intrerested a little over a year ago.Thats where the speculation is coming from.Plus the fact im just wishing Hayden could do what Rossi did to Honda.Leave them and stick a title up their ....

Jumkie · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Mar 28 2008, 09:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>"If we don't manage to get Marco into the top 5 soon, then it may be smarter to only run a single bike in the future."

I dont know if Nicky can ride the Ducati or not but i would sure like to see him leave Honda and maybe his dirt track back ground could transfer into success on the Duc like it has for Stoner
There are 3 Ducati's at the back of the grid at Jerez, this may be disturbing for any potential riders to Ducati.

Here is another question to consider: Would this free up a few engines and supply chain for team KR to get back into MotoGP powered by a Ducati engine and KR chassis?

Austin · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 29 2008, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Here is another question to consider: Would this free up a few engines and supply chain for team KR to get back into MotoGP powered by a Ducati engine and KR chassis?
I'm hard just thinking about it. Even if Kurtis rides it.

Jumkie · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 29 2008, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm hard just thinking about it. Even if Kurtis rides it.

A bit too much info man.

Thom_1991 · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Mar 29 2008, 04:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>oh boy. what a b.s post. hayden will do worse than marco on the the ducati. hayden on the BEST bike for over 3 years only ever managed to win 2 races!!!
AKA what should have been Colin Edwards' bike

. Also the best bike may have been the M1 for the majority or at least some of 2005,at least until Honda came up with the "Brno" version of the RCV

povol · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Mar 28 2008, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>oh boy. what a b.s post. hayden will do worse than marco on the the ducati. hayden on the BEST bike for over 3 years only ever managed to win 2 races!!!

Its 3 wins,but who's counting!

Austin · Mar 29, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thom @ Mar 29 2008, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>AKA what should have been Colin Edwards' bike

. Also the best bike may have been the M1 for the majority or at least some of 2005,at least until Honda came up with the "Brno" version of the RCV
The Brno RCV of 2005 never raced that season, only tested. Though it was the base for Hayden's 'Evo' '06 RCV.

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Could this pave the way for Hayden to Ducati next year

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