Hayden announcement expected

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Aug 20 2008, 09:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Or a teammate that won't give up if he's not instantly up to the speed of the defending champ. It sounds like Casey/Marco didn't get along very well and Ducati's looking for a better working relationship between their riders.

You think it's not appealing to pick up a motogp world champion with a reputation for working his ... off even if things aren't going well, especially when you've got a bike that's hard to ride (but contends for championships in one rider's hands so you can't change too much)?

A lot of what Suppo's saying reads like a ... at Melandri, more than anything.
No Jabs there. He just wants someone who will work hard and not bow down in the face of advesity. Plus I am sure Suppo knows Hayden if he gets to grips with the bike fast enough can get up there with Casey and be a teammate in the sence of Stoner gunning for the championship he can run interference on those up front. Mainly Pedrosa and Vale. Go get em Nick. I am sure you know you will have a real shot. Plus if that Carbon Fiber chassis is as badass as it is supposed to be he should be very happy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Haga @ Aug 20 2008, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh Nicky, you'll regret rejecting a customer Honda this time next year.


Yeah.......... Right!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Haga @ Aug 20 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh Nicky, you'll regret rejecting a customer Honda this time next year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Aug 20 2008, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Looks like Suppo is only interested in finding a team mate thats not gonna beat Stoner.

From one team to another, apart from a change of bike and maybe the possibility of doing better hes still gonna be like a number 2 rider.

Maybe, but I suppose its better than being number 3 rider at Honda.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Aug 20 2008, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Why would he regret turning down another ride on a bike he's not doing well on? Yes, it's a risk to go to a bike others have failed to perform on to team up with the current world champ, but it's an attractive risk with a hell of a lot more upside than fading away on a customer honda.
Absolutely!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Aug 20 2008, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>YEah ok cause we all know how well and fast all of the cust Honda bikes are. Plus I know HONDA REALLY wants anyone else but Pedrosa winning on a cust honda. Especially Hayden. MAn get some common sence.
Where do they sell that? I know some people that need some in a big hurry.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kawzx7R @ Aug 20 2008, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>We don't even know if he was offered one, do we?
Exactly.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Aug 20 2008, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Where do they sell that? I know some people that need some in a big hurry.
I was going to ask you to hook haga up.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Aug 20 2008, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>From one team to another, apart from a change of bike and maybe the possibility of doing better hes still gonna be like a number 2 rider.

He's been #2 his entire career. Nothing new under the sun.

Besides he's coming off the two worst seasons of his entire career and he has yet to prove he can ride an 800 consistently. Don't forget Stoner has him covered by about 10+ wins.

I think Nicky is realistic at this point. All he wants to do is notch some wins next season and see what happens. Plus Ducati is a proven winner at home. Nicky needs to restart his win streak at Laguna!!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Haga @ Aug 21 2008, 06:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh Nicky, you'll regret rejecting a customer Honda this time next year.
If the factory Honda 800 hasn't won a championship yet and won't this year why would you want to be on a "customer" one??

I still have my doubts. I don't buy all the hype that Nicky is suited to the Duc. I think he'll have to put in a few marathon 100-lap sessions before he's up to speed on it, but I think there's at least some potential there.

I agree with Suppo about Nicky and Casey working well together. I think that alone is going to help Nicky improve next season. Not having to worry about Thumbelina and Puig every weekend will take a huge burden off of him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Aug 21 2008, 03:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Nicky is realistic at this point. All he wants to do is notch some wins next season and see what happens. Plus Ducati is a proven winner at home. Nicky needs to restart his win streak at Laguna!!!!

It will take at least the first third of next year for Nicky to get to grips with the Bridgestones, and a whole half to get used to the Ducati's traction control system....at least in my view....and keep in mind that it took Nicky 3 years to get really on top of the 990 Honda, so it is likely to take him another year to get fully up to speed on the Ducati...so I would think Nicky should aim at being top 10 next year and not worry about his performances too much until 2010....having said that if he gets a contract with Ducati it is probably going to be a 1 year deal.....but good luck to him....

And always keep in mind Marco in 2008 and Capirossi in 2007 and Bayliss in 2004 on the Ducati's...all good to great riders which struggled badly on the big red beast!

On the cynical side of the street....It will turn out that Nicky gets a 2 year deal to replace Bayliss in WSBK

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Aug 20 2008, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Amazing Jumkie, wow, what a chance to meet Hayden. After reading your story, it just proves to me more how much of a great guy Hayden is. I hope he does well at Ducati.

Seems there is something of a split in the MotoGP paddock between the riders who know how to present themselves off the track - nice guys with time for the fans and good words for the sponsors, and those who either can't be arsed or simply lack the charisma.

Nicky & Colin definitely belong in the first group and they're a credit to their country and to the sport.
I'd put JT in that group too were it not for the ridiculous self-promotion - that I suspect is more down to his management than himself - he seems pretty self-effacing for a world champ - but it's there, nonetheless. It winds me up.

Rossi can do no wrong because he's a winner and he knows how to smile for the cameras even when things don't go entirely his way - and don't correct me - I know it wasn't always like this.

The likes of Stoner and Pedro need to be winners because charismatic, they aint.

Stoner/Hayden would be a solid team, but going back a year i thought the same thing when MM#33 joined Ducati. Mop Head Simoncelli would be a good choice for the satellite Ducati gig.

LINKY TO PINKY

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jul 12 2008, 01:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i''l leavve this forum never to return if ducati signs hayden

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jul 14 2008, 07:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>dont worry i will keep my word. but i wont need to, coz it wont happen (hayden goto ducati that is)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jul 11 2008, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>ducati wont accept mediocrity, which hayden is. they wont want to get into a situation like honda, where they want to let go of him, but cant because hayden fans will cry about how he wasnt given a chance and he got no support.

ducati wont want that baggage even with the american market. hes only 27 so if hayden does sign to ducati he may hang around them too long with no exit strategy like honda has and will be like a bad smell to them.


Well its not official yet. But when the announcement is made, does this mean no more Pinky?

(Actually, I think Stoner crashing out was the end of his appearances on the forum.)

Ah, I'm actually gonna miss him.

Don't worry Jum, he'll be back - although he will sign as a newbie and change his name to Spanky...
Btw, I don't know if you kept all of his post ... Are you his fan also ...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Aug 21 2008, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well its not official yet. But when the announcement is made, does this mean no more Pinky?

Hopefully, but if Stoner is doing well he'll either get another account or just ignore what he said, and continue.
Don't think he'll go that easily.

If they announce Nicky at Misano, then Pinky must leave immediately - Right?

Better get your rider bashing in big time over the next week Pinky.
You're on borrowed time.

Hahaha. I hope he doesn't leave - I always get a good giggle out of his trolling ways.

topic merged