Gibernau impresses again in testing

firedice · Jul 31, 2008

Former MotoGP star Sete Gibernau ended a two-day test for Ducati at Mugello on Wednesday, opting out of a third day at the Italian circuit.

Valentino Rossi's old sparring partner displayed consistent pace equivalent to a top-10 finisher and clocked an impressive 1:48.9 lap on qualifying tyres, which would have made him the second-fastest Ducati at the Italian GP in June.

"It has been great trying out qualifiers again, after almost two years without," said Gibernau, who escaped unharmed after crashing his Desmosedici

"Despite the crash it has been a very positive test. Today I experienced the 'thrill' of a crash, but I'm fine," he said.

"I have decided together with [team boss] Filippo [Preziosi] not to ride tomorrow just because we are satisfied already with the good job we did in two days.

"The most important thing is that the feeling with the bike in race trim was perfect almost straight away."

The 35-year-old Spaniard has been linked with a return to the MotoGP grid for the factory Ducati team as a replacement for the struggling Marco Melandri.

However, the Italian constructor has already said Melandri will be retained for the Czech GP in Brno next month.

Regular test riders Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccolo Canepa also took to the Mugello track on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will stay on to complete the three-day test.

link-http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/31072008/58/gibernau-impresses-testing.html

COME BACK SETE

firedice · Jul 31, 2008

Whilst the test may have terminated early, one thing that is showing no sign of an immediate conclusion is the rumour surrounding a full-time return to action for the Barcelona native, with reference to `cooperation´ sure to be interpreted in different ways by different people.

`I wish to thank Ducati again for the chance to ride the MotoGP bike once more. We will see together whether and how there will be the chance to continue our cooperation,´ said Gibernau, who revealed after his previous tests that he had `several offers on the table´.

teomolca · Jul 31, 2008

This doesn't make any sense, you say you keep Marco but you have Sete testing all the time doing RACE simulations.

You don't make all this to get a guy back to racing form for no reason, or worse to let him walk to a rival.

spyderarm · Jul 31, 2008

I'm new to the forum but can say I've been watching GP since the Doohan days and I do agree with you that it doesn't make sense. I'm irritated about the whole thing...Sete couldn't beat Rossi in the long stretch when he was at his best so what does he or Duc expect him to do? Besides, Rossi is getting a taste of the next gen of riders which has been a challenge, I don't see how Sete can handle any of these guys...maybe WSB suites him better.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Jul 31 2008, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This doesn't make any sense, you say you keep Marco but you have Sete testing all the time doing RACE simulations.

You don't make all this to get a guy back to racing form for no reason, or worse to let him walk to a rival.

ROCKGOD01 · Jul 31, 2008

I'll bet he is preping up for a few wildcard rides as to run interference on Rossi to help Casey in some key races. If this happens I wonder which races it would be.

bonnielass · Jul 31, 2008

I'm sure he's doing just great.... however put him in a race where riders are trying to overake him and he won't be able to handle it! He's no good in a pack, look what happened the last time...all-be-it a freak accident, but he caused it.

If he gets a ride I bet he'll only get 6th or 7th place at best.

ROCKGOD01 · Jul 31, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bonnielass @ Jul 31 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm sure he's doing just great.... however put him in a race where riders are trying to overake him and he won't be able to handle it! He's no good in a pack, look what happened the last time...all-be-it a freak accident, but he caused it.

If he gets a ride I bet he'll only get 6th or 7th place at best.
He has won races before and can still win them today. I think especially since he has had a chance to get away a bit to redisciver the love and the drive he has for the sport.

an4rew · Jul 31, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bonnielass @ Jul 31 2008, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm sure he's doing just great.... however put him in a race where riders are trying to overake him and he won't be able to handle it! He's no good in a pack, look what happened the last time...all-be-it a freak accident, but he caused it.

If he gets a ride I bet he'll only get 6th or 7th place at best.

I think 6th or 7th is realistic for Sete but that accident was a one off... he has proven he can race very fair and extremely close with Rossi or we wouldn't have had those epic battles.

teomolca · Jul 31, 2008

6th or 7th is much better than what Melandri is doing so it would justify the change.

I guess Ducati want to fight for the team and constructors titles also, and that is simply not possible with their current results.

firedice · Aug 1, 2008

Sete Gibernau further increased speculation that he is being lined up to replace Marco Melandri at Ducati by testing a third time for the team, and sampling qualifying tyres for the first time since retiring two years ago.

Ducati boss Livio Suppo confirmed last weekend that Melandri would be with the team for the next race at Brno, but the Italian's future beyond that is still in doubt, while Gibernau seems closer than ever to a comeback after the two days of testing at Mugello this

cmk304 · Aug 1, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Jul 31 2008, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'll bet he is preping up for a few wildcard rides as to run interference on Rossi to help Casey in some key races. If this happens I wonder which races it would be.

Good Point man
I think what alot of people here are forgeting, is that Ducati could be getting Sete to get points of Rossi? Think about it Sete cant stand the guy so if he ACCIDENTLY puts Rossi into the Gravel at Brno in the first corner, i dont think he would loose to much sleep about it.

And Ducati buy keeping Marco on the Factory bike as well they arnt breaking any contract aggrements are they? and they just put Sete on a Factory bike for certain events,Call it a WILDCARD RIDE that Sete will go good at. For Sete he could get Payback ( not that im for that kind of thing ) or A Ducati Xerox ride in sbk or a Sat Ducati in Motogp>>

1 thing is for sure if i were Valentino and Sete turns up at certain tracks, then id be REALLY WORRIED. you see this kinda thing in F1 all the time..

michaelm · Aug 1, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stoner 27 @ Aug 1 2008, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good Point man
I think what alot of people here are forgeting, is that Ducati could be getting Sete to get points of Rossi? Think about it Sete cant stand the guy so if he ACCIDENTLY puts Rossi into the Gravel at Brno in the first corner, i dont think he would loose to much sleep about it.

And Ducati buy keeping Marco on the Factory bike as well they arnt breaking any contract aggrements are they? and they just put Sete on a Factory bike for certain events,Call it a WILDCARD RIDE that Sete will go good at. For Sete he could get Payback ( not that im for that kind of thing ) or A Ducati Xerox ride in sbk or a Sat Ducati in Motogp>>

1 thing is for sure if i were Valentino and Sete turns up at certain tracks, then id be REALLY WORRIED. you see this kinda thing in F1 all the time..
There is absolutely no chance that ducati would send gibernau out to take out rossi, even if they (or sete) thought he deserved it which I think in itself is extraordinarily unlikely. It would be an act of corporate suicide apart from anything else.

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Gibernau impresses again in testing

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