Interesting quote from Ducati boss

povol said:

Why would they build a new bike when they still have plenty of performance left by reducing the restrictor plate size. With the way Ducati is sandbagging the second half of the season, they will get a plate change for the last race of the year

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Should make Colin Edwards a contender next year I think when he throws his leg over the Duc to ride off into the sunset.

L8Braker said:

Should make Colin Edwards a contender next year I think when he throws his leg over the Duc to ride off into the sunset.

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Things are certainly sounding more and more like the Edwards/Ducati thing could happen. I for one would like to see him back in WSBK. I'd also like to see Haga get his freaking mojo back.

Well CE II on a Ducati will be interesting, I''m just wodering if he will be competitive, what does everyone else think? edit I'm leaning towards yes, he will be competitive.

L8Braker said:

Well CE II on a Ducati will be interesting, I''m just wodering if he will be competitive, what does everyone else think? edit I'm leaning towards yes, he will be competitive.

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It will be interesting to see if he needs any time for catching up or altering his riding style after getting back on a V2 superbike...after so many years riding an inline4 MotoGP-bike. I think he will be a championship contender with the Xerox-Ducati on a long shot but the opposition will be very tough next year....I mean the Aprilia- and probably some BMW-rider (it depends on who gets on the other bike). If Haslam stays at Suzuki, I do not expect him to compete for the championship. They let him down this year (while he was fighting for the title) and if I know it correctly, the new GSX-R comes only for 2012 so I suppose Suzuki is not willing to throw any money for the old SBK-bike. They rather embarrass themselves for a fortune in MotoGP further on. I don't know what will happen with the Yamaha Italia squad but probably they won't be any serious contender either (Meregalli and a bunch of people leaves to MotoGP). Ten Kate can be good, but I don't know about the coming of the new CBR1000RR either. Rea can make up the difference though and if hopefully they sign Toseland, he will be desperate to prove a point.

Long story short: Edwards will be good but if Xerox signs Checa too, he will be his biggest opponent ...beside Biaggi of course.

Official Press Release from Ducati:



August 4th: Regarding the recent allegations attributed to Gabriele Del Torchio - Ducati CEO and President, Ducati states that no agreement has been reached with the riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden for the future Moto GP season, although our interest in these riders remains.



We would like to say that the recent news which has appeared on the US website Cycle World and other websites has been misreported and must be attributed to the many rumors circulating lately.



Whether and when an agreement is reached, official press releases will be issued.

L8Braker said:

Well CE II on a Ducati will be interesting, I''m just wodering if he will be competitive, what does everyone else think? edit I'm leaning towards yes, he will be competitive.

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Tough call. Ducati feel their bike is underpowered, relative to the rest of the field. If this is true and they don't get improvements, then if Edwards does get a ride with Ducati he could be fighting hard just to keep up. I think CEII will be competitive (top 5-7) but I doubt he will be a championship contender as I think next year is going to be between Rea and Biaggi, so long as Haslam and Crutchlow go play MotoGP, which I have a feeling they will do so. One thing does look certain, that WSBK is going to be really shook up this next year, as it looks like a lot of moves are going to be made with riders to different teams.

Bootsakah said:

Tough call. Ducati feel their bike is underpowered, relative to the rest of the field. If this is true and they don't get improvements, then if Edwards does get a ride with Ducati he could be fighting hard just to keep up. I think CEII will be competitive (top 5-7) but I doubt he will be a championship contender as I think next year is going to be between Rea and Biaggi, so long as Haslam and Crutchlow go play MotoGP, which I have a feeling they will do so. One thing does look certain, that WSBK is going to be really shook up this next year, as it looks like a lot of moves are going to be made with riders to different teams.

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If you are right and Haslam goes to the Rizla-team without at least beating Biaggi next year...well, I wish him good luck then!

I just don't get that beside the better money, what is so appealing in MotoGP for them. I mean most of these guys are fast, no question but are without a title, or at least a constant dominant season. Do they really think, they will be competetive there or is it enough cruising around the 10th-15th position?

No question about the talent of Haslam or Crutchlow but I think they need to kick the old MotoGP-fugitive's butts constantly in WSB at first then they should move on. At least as Spies did, grab the title then go. MotoGP can be a very tough challenge these days (with 4 aliens to "race" with) and can crush a rider's confidence in no time, just look at JT or MM. If Capirex can not get into the top10 regularly with the GSV-R (nor his young teammate), I see no reason to go there from a competetive superbike.

It may be that I stress too much, but I think Jonny Rea does the right way. He is waiting for a good opportunity (which will come to him later at Honda, right now they are full for sure) and till then he gets better and better. Especially for next year I do not see any reason to rush onto the last version of a 800 bike. If the 1000s will arrive again, then it will be a whole new game.

Anyhow, WSBK will be fun next year as well...Edwards back, Haga back on a Yammie (or a Kwak ), Tose at Ten Kate and the new ZX-10R comes with Vermi and maybe Lascorz. Btw is it the only new japanese 1000 for next year or is there any other?

Not to mention if Tardozzi could grab Melandri onto an S1000RR.

i don't think edwards will be at all competitive. boots may be close with is predict about him but i think he's being a bit generous. maybe top ten... maybe as far as haslam going to motogp.... no way... not next season anyway. i defo think that crutchlow will be in the tech3 squad tho. i rate him much higher than haslam who imho is & will be a sbk rider his entire career.

If Ducati do hire Edwards, then 5th - 10th places finishes will not be good enough. There will be pressure for him to finish near the front. I think the best fit for Edwards actually would be the Aprilia, it looks to be the closest thing to the GP bikes that Edwards has been riding. That said, "if" he does go to Ducati, I'm sure he will learn the v-twin quickly, just as Haga had done last year (but somehow lost it this year?)



The allure of GP for young riders is big. It has always been considered the pinnacle of racing. So guys like Crutchlow and Rea want to have a taste of it. Haslam has spent some time there in his past and knows what he's getting himself into. However if he feels like Suzuki is letting him down now (not providing upgrades to compete with Aprilia), then he will certainly be disappointed if he joins Suzuki's GP program.



All of these guys thinking of making the move should know well enough that there are only 6 potential winning spots in GP right now, basically the factory teams of Yamaha, Ducati, and Honda. Unless you are one of the lucky 6, you can pretty much count on battling for "best of the rest". Then hope you do well enough during the year to get attention and land a factory spot the next year. These guys must realize this and are willing to make the gamble, to sacrifice a few years, and give up the potential to win the WSBK title just to see how they go in GP. Certainly history is working against these guys, as most who have made the move from WSBK to GP haven't had much success. Spies is still an unknown as to how he will do on a factory GP machine. Who knows what Crutchlow, Rea, and Haslam will do, perhaps they will do as Fogarty did and just stay in WSBK. The success and popularity of Bayliss for example should be an example to these guys of what they could have.

povol said:

We knew that we were going to face a tough year in World SuperbikePosted Image. The new rules don't help; someone was allowed to bend them, and our 1198 has reached its ultimate potential. In two years, we shall be ready with our new 1200cc Twin."



Why would they build a new bike when they still have plenty of performance left by reducing the restrictor plate size. With the way Ducati is sandbagging the second half of the season, they will get a plate change for the last race of the year

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I am curious who "bent" the rules? Is Ducati speaking of Aprilia and the geared cams......if so those parts were reviewed and passed as legal parts that could be used starting at the US Miller round. Aprilia was winning before the geared cams were allowed. It was not like they used them in a loop hole and it was later looked into and then banned....Aprilia went through the correct channels.



Ducati had no problem using the advantages of their 1000cc twin limit against the 750's for a long time and now that the I-4 bikes are on equal footing they start crying fool. The Ducati bikes are still competetive...they just need to get their crew/riders back on the same track and iron out the factors keeping them from the podium every round. Kawasaki would love to have Ducati's "problems" this year.

I dont think Haslams going to GPs anytime soon, he is contracted for another year with Alstare and he has been talking about the 2012 bike aswell.



Crutchlows definately going to tech3 though and rea said he wants another year in wsb to try and win the title or be a serious contender.

Haslam - motoGP =

Son of Doohan said:

Haslam - motoGP =

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You are obviously ignorant of the fact that he's been there before...a very long time ago, in the two stroke era, and unquestionably before your range of knowledge. PM me we'll talk. Remember your native supposed protege, Brendan Clarke? who plucked out of a schoolroom replaced Stalker in the Shell Honda team midway through the 2002 season to partner Leon - no?, thought not. riding a 500cc customer twin ain't an easy task.



You want to knock Leon? I dont see your fuckn' ex GP veteran and co-patriot Troy Corser regularly in the same race as him.



Grow up 'Son', you're no BM, you're better than that.

Honest question here guys, i'd like to get ur take on who u rate higher, L. Haslam or C. Cruchlow. Frost, why do u rate Haslam over Cruch? Also Arrabbi, i know ur high on Cal and told me to keep an eye on him last year. And i hav, and was most impressed with him at Silverstone! That performance was awesome. But for me, and surely my opinion is limited as i never saw them coming up, as my take only spans while theyve been in WSBK; but i rate Haslam over Cal (that is, if i had to choose one over other, as both are obviously special). In short, my reasoning is that Haslam challenged on clearly a privateer ride while with TenK. Then continued his contending ways on Suz, a ride that is clearly having issues. Cal on the other hand is SS champ, but the big bike is another animal, and other than Duc (well at least historically) the Yamaha is infact a world champ package for which he just now made it look as such. Yet, Cal is essentially a lock for GP Tech3. Haslam is never mentioned for promotion yet lead points for much of season, and if it wasnt for supercharged Aprillia, might still be leading. So honestly, what am i missing? Is the fact that i liked Ron Haslam clouding my judgement?



And while on the subject (perhaps i should ask on GP board) but, who the hell did Toni Elias pissoff? Toni is clearly the most talented non motogp rider available for 2011. Yet no team in MotoGP could give a ..... Is this a casestudy in GP politics?

Arrabbiata1 said:

You are obviously ignorant of the fact that he's been there before...a very long time ago, in the two stroke era, and unquestionably before your range of knowledge. PM me we'll talk. Remember your native supposed protege, Brendan Clarke? who plucked out of a schoolroom replaced Stalker in the Shell Honda team midway through the 2002 season to partner Leon - no?, thought not. riding a 500cc customer twin ain't an easy task.



You want to knock Leon? I dont see your fuckn' ex GP veteran and co-patriot Troy Corser regularly in the same race as him.



Grow up 'Son', you're no BM, you're better than that.

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Last time I looked in the mirror, I thought I'd grown up. Still, I suppose you'd know more about me then I do.

You're right though, I didn't remember that about Haslam. Sorry if I can't remember everyone who has ever been in a motoGP or 500cc race over the last 20 odd years. I've got lot's of other interests outside of bike racing. Maybe I've blown a few too many brain cells. So be it.

Who said that about Brendan Clarke? It wasn't me, and I never said it was easy to ride any sort of race bike.

As for Corser - he's had a pretty good season on the BMW, and I'm pretty sure his bosses are happy with the way things are going. He may not be in the same race as Haslam, but he's doing some pretty good development work on the BMW. I'd bet this is the main reason he's employed by them. Poles and podiums are bonuses. Corser's record speaks for itself. Sure he may not be the greatest rider ever, but he's had a pretty fine career on all number of superbikes. I'd be pretty happy if I was him. 2 world championships is nothing to sneeze at.

I'll take back the , but he isn't going to do anything in motoGP, if he get's there again.

Troy Corser might have had 3 titles had he not busted his speen and ribs at the final round in 1998. Plus he spent 3 of his prime years developing/2 years racing the Petronas bike. I am sure he could have won a title or maybe 2 during the Ducati Cup if he was on a Ducati those years.



Haslam does not have that kind of resume....but it is still nothing to laugh at. They have both done mre than I ever will on a track/bike.

Haslam or Crutchlow....man that's a tough one for me, but if I was to base it on what I've seen this year, I'd give the edge to Haslam only for consistency reasons. If Crutchlow has found some confidence from the Silverstone races, it's likely he will be tough to beat for the remainder of the season, because when he's found the setup he looks unstoppable.



On another note, I believe the Brits are well posistioned to put another back into MotoGP, but who will be first? I'm digging on Rea, if the new engine rules don't get too stupid, I could see him making some noise in the big show.

L8Braker said:

Haslam or Crutchlow....man that's a tough one for me, but if I was to base it on what I've seen this year, I'd give the edge to Haslam only for consistency reasons. If Crutchlow has found some confidence from the Silverstone races, it's likely he will be tough to beat for the remainder of the season, because when he's found the setup he looks unstoppable.



On another note, I believe the Brits are well posistioned to put another back into MotoGP, but who will be first? I'm digging on Rea, if the new engine rules don't get too stupid, I could see him making some noise in the big show.

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Good call,can`t really add to that except I`ve always had Haslam down as SBK material through and through.

Jumkie said:

Honest question here guys, i'd like to get ur take on who u rate higher, L. Haslam or C. Cruchlow. Frost, why do u rate Haslam over Cruch? Also Arrabbi, i know ur high on Cal and told me to keep an eye on him last year. And i hav, and was most impressed with him at Silverstone! That performance was awesome. But for me, and surely my opinion is limited as i never saw them coming up, as my take only spans while theyve been in WSBK; but i rate Haslam over Cal (that is, if i had to choose one over other, as both are obviously special). In short, my reasoning is that Haslam challenged on clearly a privateer ride while with TenK. Then continued his contending ways on Suz, a ride that is clearly having issues. Cal on the other hand is SS champ, but the big bike is another animal, and other than Duc (well at least historically) the Yamaha is infact a world champ package for which he just now made it look as such. Yet, Cal is essentially a lock for GP Tech3. Haslam is never mentioned for promotion yet lead points for much of season, and if it wasnt for supercharged Aprillia, might still be leading. So honestly, what am i missing? Is the fact that i liked Ron Haslam clouding my judgement?



And while on the subject (perhaps i should ask on GP board) but, who the hell did Toni Elias pissoff? Toni is clearly the most talented non motogp rider available for 2011. Yet no team in MotoGP could give a ..... Is this a casestudy in GP politics?

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Cal vs Leon is a good one.



You could make it simple. what has Leon ever won?



The way i see it Leon is an excellent rider, a solid choice. He's been in racing forever building up and up, always getting better it seems. But how much further will he go? Cal on the other hand seems to be a fast rising star, so i suppose you would extrapolate that he will ultimately fly higher. He broke years of Honda dominance in supersport despite being a rookie. In his last year in BSB he actually out shone Leon (his team mate at the time) all season really even though it was only his second season in the class. Leon had his usual late charge and actually wound up finishing ahead but he was supposed to be favorite to win outright, and the impression over the bulk of the season was that the new kid was showing him up. Now in Superbike he is again doing very well, and showing up JT who's just come back from motogp. If it was me, i'd take Leon Camier