<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ Apr 20 2008, 01:04 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is there any chance of us having a discussion without getting into a rider bash fest with you?
Hayden has won a world championship - How many do you have?
You've become worse than the people who were winding you up.
I would like to read peoples thoughts on Jazkat's post without it being turned into the usual crap that you seem to take pleasure in inciting.
Thanks Friz, I am guilty of being part of the problem sometimes. It seems we have a good discussion here despite a few attempts to the contrary.
As to the topic. It’s an interesting article, even though its entirely speculative, it does bring up some good questions and food for thought. As you may be aware, I was one who hoped Hayden moved to Ducati. Apart from owning one, (was my dream since I gazed at the 1988 Ducati Paso and finally got a 748, now followed by the 749), I am much more a fan of Nicky than I am of Ducati as far as MotoGP racing is concerned. Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I do think Nicky has been second fiddle in HRC which has played a part in his results (yes debatable, but lets set this aside for the moment, if possible).
Having said that, I think Marco Melandri has shown us all that the Ducati is a special machine, and only a uniquely talented rider like Stoner can be successful. For most of last year, many pointed to the Ducati for Stoner's success, but today, I think the reasonable person should now point to Stoner and say, he was successful "in spite" of his Ducati. This of course is a testament to his unique talent. But I was (as many here) believed that Marco, a great talent, would give Stoner a run for his money. We have seen that his talent has NOT harmonized with the machine. Should this bring his talent as a racer into question and start calling for his contract/retirement from MotoGP? Well personally, I do NOT think so for Marco, ,similarly, I think it would be equally unfair for Nicky, tthough this has been proposed for Hayden who has also struggled at HRC since they switched to 800s.
It seems to me, as Rog pointed out, going to Ducati (after the experience of Capi & Melandri) would be a very risky proposition. Hayden may not have a choice, we don't really know if in fact HRC intend to resign him. Though I believe he is still one of the top 5 talents in the world, his poor results coupled with the new young talent knocking at the door, may just be enough to move him aside to another brand. I don't think the money is an issue for Hayden. I think his first inclination will be to stay with Honda in some form, but who knows what Honda will offer. If they don't intend to keep him, then I would say why not give Ducati, or Kawasaki, or even Suzuki a try. Hell, if they had room, I'd would love to see him go to Yamaha. (Perhaps this way, if he were successful at Yamaha, this might send a message to Honda, that yes, rider talent does matter, as it did with Rossi's switch, but nodody needs to tell me, this is a stretch).