Ducati want Toseland in Motogp for 08

"According to MCN, Ducati are going to approach JT before mid-season in an attempt to secure his services in the satellite D'Antin team in MotoGP for 2008. Livio Suppo is a fan of JT the rider, and JT the man but insists that a new rider to MotoGP needs a year in the satellite team before the factory team."

I know this is probably MCN bull but:

He turned down a D'Antin for a hopeful Honda ride.

The Honda is looking .... this year, maybe he might suit the Duke? Being a bigger rider than most.


Thoughts?

I was wondering about this, but i think anyone who signs a contract based on performance now is foolish. The bikes will change a lot this season and things may not look the same next year. Jt would be better suited to a ducati size wise, and probably with his riding style too. However next year the dantin team might be left with 2007 bikes, which could make them a less attractive package again.

With Honda's current plan on the aero of the bike, he'll be really disadvantaged.

Isn't the Ducati supposedly a mini 990 rather than a big 250? I remember Toseland lapping very quickly on his first go on one during the valencia test.

JT is (rightly so!) hot property this year - but if he goes to GP.............he's not going to settle for anything less than a factory ride is he?

D'antin have been a pile of ...., its only 'cause of the 800cc rule change that they have new bikes, so I'd agree with Tom about the possiblity of ending up with old bike next year...guess it all depends on their budget.

I'd love to see JT in GP's, at least give us brits a front runner to cheer for....but, I'd rather see him stay in SBK than get a sub-prime ride in GP and be a mid-runner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ May 14 2007, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>JT is (rightly so!) hot property this year - but if he goes to GP.............he's not going to settle for anything less than a factory ride is he?

D'antin have been a pile of ...., its only 'cause of the 800cc rule change that they have new bikes, so I'd agree with Tom about the possiblity of ending up with old bike next year...guess it all depends on their budget.

I'd love to see JT in GP's, at least give us brits a front runner to cheer for....but, I'd rather see him stay in SBK than get a sub-prime ride in GP and be a mid-runner.

Being hot property could mean that he would bring backing with him that could see Dantin with works bikes again. So maybe Ducati isn't a bad ide after all.

But i disagree with you about rather seeing him stay in SBK, he has more than proved himself over there, any more time in that paddock is a waste. He can always go back if the gp effort doesn't work out.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ May 14 2007, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Isn't the Ducati supposedly a mini 990 rather than a big 250? I remember Toseland lapping very quickly on his first go on one during the valencia test.

He was riding Pedrosas 990 honda, which was oo small for him, but apparently he impressed the honda bosses anyway.

The more you think about it, the more a Ducati would suit Toseland in the immediate future.

Look at the trouble Hayden is having adapting, same for Checa. Toseland rides like a 990 guy and that'd suit him on the Ducati 800.

I suspect he's being too loyal to Honda though. Although it never hurts to be loyal.

Or does it? (Nicky Hayden)

The most important thing for JT to do at the minute is get the WSB title won and think about nothing else. He'll go to GP's for sure, the guy really deserves it and I have no doubt he'll win races. As to should he be on a Ducati or a Honda,it's way to early for anyone to say. The GP season is only beginning to unravel It could be that Bridgestone really kick Michelins ass all year or that HRC/Michelin get it together all of a sudden. For all we know Suzuki could start winning heaps of races.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ May 14 2007, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>With Honda's current plan on the aero of the bike, he'll be really disadvantaged.

Isn't the Ducati supposedly a mini 990 rather than a big 250? I remember Toseland lapping very quickly on his first go on one during the valencia test.

They are all mini 990s rather than big 250s. No real distinction there.
They are still at basically the same weight and nothing like the +40 kg lighter 250s. They are 190cc less than a 990 and 550cc larger than the 250, and it's large 4-stroke lumps not strokers.

While Honda still havent sorted out the fairing issue for Hayen, and that is absolutly terrible and seems like such an arrogant thing to do, all the bikes in the series can be tailored for any of the guys around. Not perfect but seat height, fairing, rearsets, tank cover, rear support can all easily be altered.

JT seems to be a very tidy rider that can easily adopt to any of the bikes on MotoGP.

I was under the impression that the Ten Kate Team was considering running in Moto Gp, if that was to happen i would expect them to take JT with them.

But like a previous comment said, he should just concentrate on winning the World SBK this season, if he does that a GP ride will come along for sure.

IMO (and that normal counts for Jack Sht ). I think he would be a fool to go to Dantin. Honda will get their act together, I reckon he will replace Elias in the Hanspree Team! They like JT.

well if suppo offers jt a full factory supported bike, why not go to d'antin? this maybe ducatis way of securing a top rider to replace capirossi who probably won't stay past the 08 season. this way they have jt ready to go.

Can't see it to be honest. I hope he doesn't do it, he should go for a factory ride and nothing less imo. If anywhere I can see him at Gresini, but it sounds more probable with Ten Kate, although thats all up in the air at the moment.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ May 14 2007, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well if suppo offers jt a full factory supported bike, why not go to d'antin? this maybe ducatis way of securing a top rider to replace capirossi who probably won't stay past the 08 season. this way they have jt ready to go.
Ah but it won't be a factory bike. I believe Melandri was promised a factory Honda and look what happened there.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Orrmate @ May 14 2007, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ah but it won't be a factory bike. I believe Melandri was promised a factory Honda and look what happened there.
yes....... but that was honda.... not ducati. if the duc keeps up this level of performance they should have no problem securing the sponsors for funding that 3rd full on factory bike.

If somebody makes a deal with JT this early in the season, they're gonna feel pretty sheepish when Haga beats him to the title in WSBK.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 14 2007, 01:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But i disagree with you about rather seeing him stay in SBK, he has more than proved himself over there, any more time in that paddock is a waste. He can always go back if the gp effort doesn't work out.
Tom I have a question. I like Toesland, but I seem to read his praises allot lately on this forum and I'm wondering if perhaps there is an over enthusiastic hope for him by fans of the sport. Its not like there have been many WSBK champions that have lit a fire in MotoGP. Former champions like Bayliss, Edwards, haven't done much and others like Hodges haven't been invited to the party. Has Toesland been all that better than the championship runs Edwards and Bayliss had? So what makes people think (it seems) he will be more successful than these guys? What's up, is this more a facade of hope or do you really think this guy is for real? I hope he didn't turn down a satellite team cuz then he would be going the way of Mladin. You mentioned in another post, and I agree, its important to start somewhere, and if a satellite team gets you in the door to MotoGP, then I say go for it. Just some thoughts.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mbracing @ May 14 2007, 05:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I reckon he will replace Elias in the Hanspree Team!
Why, cuz he's "dangerous"?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 14 2007, 08:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Has Toesland been all that better than the championship runs Edwards and Bayliss had? So what makes people think (it seems) he will be more successful than these guys? What's up, is this more a facade of hope or do you really think this guy is for real?

European wishful thinking? Overhyping the local boy?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 14 2007, 07:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Why, cuz he's "dangerous"?

No, because he likes 'Kids', oops sorry, I got all mixed up!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 15 2007, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Phleg I have a question. I like Toesland, but I seem to read his praises allot lately on this forum and I'm wondering if perhaps there is an over enthusiastic hope for him by fans of the sport.

Its not like there have been many WSBK champions that have lit a fire in MotoGP.
Nicky Hayden lit a fire, and he was a domestic champ.

Former champions like Bayliss, Edwards, haven't done much and others like Hodges haven't been invited to the party.

Edwards was put up too late in his career, and Bayliss did well till he was booted for a Spaniard. Valencia 06.


Has Toesland been all that better than the championship runs Edwards and Bayliss had?

Well he is beating the 'best WSBK rider ever' by a fair margin.

So what makes people think (it seems) he will be more successful than these guys? What's up, is this more a facade of hope or do you really think this guy is for real?

How many wins did Nicky Hayden have in his championship winning season?

You mentioned in another post, and I agree, its important to start somewhere, and if a satellite team gets you in the door to MotoGP, then I say go for it.

I can't help but agree...but it is with D'Antin and they do have a lot of bad press, rightly so aswell.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ May 15 2007, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Tom I have a question. I like Toesland, but I seem to read his praises allot lately on this forum and I'm wondering if perhaps there is an over enthusiastic hope for him by fans of the sport. Its not like there have been many WSBK champions that have lit a fire in MotoGP. Former champions like Bayliss, Edwards, haven't done much and others like Hodges haven't been invited to the party. Has Toesland been all that better than the championship runs Edwards and Bayliss had? So what makes people think (it seems) he will be more successful than these guys? What's up, is this more a facade of hope or do you really think this guy is for real? I hope he didn't turn down a satellite team cuz then he would be going the way of Mladin. You mentioned in another post, and I agree, its important to start somewhere, and if a satellite team gets you in the door to MotoGP, then I say go for it. Just some thoughts.
Why, cuz he's "dangerous"?

Its because i think Vermulen is doing a very good job, and is getting better race by race. I consider JT to be on the level of, if not better than CV, and despite the tough history for superbike riders, i think its woth a try. Sitting over in the superbike paddock winning titles and not testing yourself on the next level just seems a bit silly, unless your after money (Mladin) or just can't stand losing (Foggy).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 15 2007, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its because i think Vermulen is doing a very good job, and is getting better race by race. I consider JT to be on the level of, if not better than CV, and despite the tough history for superbike riders, i think its woth a try. Sitting over in the superbike paddock winning titles and not testing yourself on the next level just seems a bit silly, unless your after money (Mladin) or just can't stand losing (Foggy).^^^well put Tom. I do think that JT's a stronger rider than Vermuelen but talk is cheap, if he get's the opportunity he should give it all he's got.