I recall thinking in 2006, this is 1993 all over again. Yamaha had taken a wrong turn in chassis development, and by a third of the way into the season (with Schwantz no longer dogged by inconsistency and for the first time on a competitive Suzuki) instead of wheeling the previous years machine out of a museum somewhere in Italy
Rainey was more purposeful and resolute in his actions. He had his engines bolted into an old customer/production Roc frame to combat the stiffness of the original. I'm sure many of the satellite Yamaha's followed suit - if they weren't already using Harris as Naill Macenzie certainly was with WCM. The situation was far from ideal but it was user friendly which enabled him to assail Schwantz's lead in the championship and by Misano - before tragedy struck - he had overhauled him in the standings. Rainey always demonstrated great ingenuity, resourcefulness and a huge tireless work ethic. In some respects Rainey's performance on that factory yamaha which (he became synonymous with) flattered to deceive, as many who rode it after him discovered. Wayne Rainey truly was one of those riders who could transcend limitations in equipment and resources, taking an inferior package and transforming it into a race winner through supernatural talent and self belief. Ptk - if, as you humbly suggest, you don't know enough about Wayne Rainey - grab this book, because no disrespect, atm It'd be equivalent to posting opinions on a contemporary basketball forum without knowing much about Michael Jordan!
Michael Scott Rainey Bio
If you haven't encountered Michael Scott before, like Matt Oxley he's one of the UK's most venerated bike sports writers. That said, it's a very easy quick read.
This brings me to the issue that some of the senior citizens on this forum have been at pains to point out. Throughout his premier class career, Valentino has never been availed with uncompetitive machinery. There are times when the M1 was certainly not the best all round package on the grid, nor the fastest in a straight line, but following the raft of changes in the close season of 2003 -2004 chiefly the long bang/close firing interval motor, it was always capable of winning races in Rossi's supremely talented hands. I can't think of a rider in history who has exercised such a degree of carte blanche towards steering the direction of factory development - and yes I understand to a degree that he has demonstrably earned this. But Vale may as well have arrived at Yamaha with an open cheque book. He certainly benefitted from four engine options tabled by Yoda unavailed to his predecessors.
I have remained largely impartial and unaffiliated in this Rossi/Stoner flame war but must admit find myself gravitating towards Casey's cause of late largely in response to over four years vilification from Rossi Glory Hunters who I differentiate from true fans of the Doctor. I thought Casey's reaction post race Jerez was in comparison to Laguna '08 - measured, amusing and well deployed. The constant allegations of moaning and melodrama I find rich, given Rossi's petulant behaviour over Jorge in his last season at Yamaha. Picture the response should Casey have ever proposed segregating the garage and no longer sharing data in a factory effort because he felt that his team mate was receiving parity in resources and equipment. "It's my ball and I'm taking it home"
As has already been suggested on here, Ducati are not so malleable as Yamaha or even the mighty HRC. IMO Rossi left HRC largely over a dispute over his image rights, not so much the way they placed the importance of machine over rider. Returning to Rainey, it was Valentino's wish to become synonymous with Yamaha - and Ambassador for the marque as Wayne has become, and for that reason I never envisaged him moving to Ducati who he had always likened to HRC in their philosophy of rider vs machine. Ducati are certainly more intransigent.
Over and above the application of these bolt on accessories liberated from the M1, what will tell all is whether Ducati through a monumental and unprecedented paradigm shift, switch to a standard aluminium chassis at the expense of the CF monocoque frame. Gaureschi says no way is this even being entertained - but they abandoned the steel tubular trellis after a lifetime racing which was etched into Ducati's DNA. Now they have to appease the GOAT and his consort, arguably the most experienced crew chief in Grand Prix Racing and who have become used to getting their factory demands. I have no doubt that this is the direction Vale and crew have tried to steer the bike - although entrenched beliefs at Bologna may prove to be as reluctant to turn as the bike is proving to be on track
I would also like to reassert that my opinion is unchanged....I believe that the shoulder injury has eased now allowing Valentino the inputs that he needs to properly evaluate the bike. This injury unquestionably hampered progress in pre season testing. I also believe as the race data piles up Rossi will be able to ride and adapt that machine increasingly in the way he wants (even if Ducati do not yield to all his demands), with Mugello being the possible watershed. Valentino
is unquestionably a title protagonist. Forget the M1 in 2004, for the first time he finds himself significantly handicapped and should he challenge for the title this year as I believe he will, this will be the true test and vindication of his superiority. I expect that combination to be indomitable next year.
I might also add that I truly believe CS could jump on that Ducati in its current guise and as it stands outperform Valentino, but the potential that the Desmosedici now has in the hands of Rossi and his crew is frightening. Make of that what you will.
