Joined Jun 2020
73 Posts | 18+
San Diego -> Boston -> South Carolina
Joined Oct 2008
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In Cider
Until 3 races ago, I'd have bet my house on Bastiannini. But then he crashed thrice in succession....
Reading the stuff about Oliveira I am not sure KTM are any better at man management than Ducati. I have always been puzzled by Oliveira not getting a new contract while Binder did, and to some extent I also wonder why they are so high on Jack, although I do wonder whether he has been getting full support from Ducati recently.
Ducati seem set on continuing a policy of keeping their riders in a state of insecurity and playing them off against each other., which is counterproductive imo. Even Bagnaia has seemed uncomfortable this year, and to have Bastianini and Martin competing for the factory ride next year as seems to be happening will likely be counterproductive as well imo. Historically getting a 2 year contract with the Ducati factory team seems to come with a fair chance of being out the door not too far into the second year anyway. I don’t think replacing Jack was ruthless, he hardly ever managed to keep his pace for a full race, but they eventually discarded the best rider they have ever had and may ever have who proceeded to immediately show them he still had it on a Honda.
It will be interesting to see how Jack goes on the KTM and whether tire management problems are intrinsic to his riding style or more due to that style not melding with the Ducati, not that the current KTM looks competitive in the first place.
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There were rumors that Jack might jump back to Pramac because he was comfortable with the team and management. Guidotti is now the team director for KTM.
In a circuitous fashion, maybe Jack is re-joining Pramac, though it is unclear if Guidotti can help KTM raise the bike's performance, after KTM split with Mike Leitner.
I see KTM's management very week and lost.
Apart from Mir (who may be far from a good fit for ktm bike anyway) none of the available riders to sign can't be taken as better then Oliveira. Even more when all those riders ever ridden easier and better bikes than KTMs.
Just look at how rookies perform with Ducati's vs KTMs
So, where's the gain in taking Miller intead of Oliveira who's been with them from the early days and the ...... bike they had?
I'm not also sure that from the start of the season all ktm bikes are alike. We normally see that 3 riders struggle a lot and Brad struggles less. And the same thing on Ducati with Jack ... so to say the "2nd" rider is worse than their main horse is again misleading.
Pit's stated i guess from what i read that he wanted to be "fair" by letting riders know he was talking to replacement riders and then gets upset when riders go and do the same by talking to other teams!? FFS
I reckon Oliveira had enough of that and finally stood up!
Lets see where Oliveira lands and who will benefit more from this separation!
On the same note, lets hope this move doesn't kill Miller's carrear altogether.
Cheers
Apart from Mir (who may be far from a good fit for ktm bike anyway) none of the available riders to sign can't be taken as better then Oliveira. Even more when all those riders ever ridden easier and better bikes than KTMs.
Just look at how rookies perform with Ducati's vs KTMs
So, where's the gain in taking Miller intead of Oliveira who's been with them from the early days and the ...... bike they had?
I'm not also sure that from the start of the season all ktm bikes are alike. We normally see that 3 riders struggle a lot and Brad struggles less. And the same thing on Ducati with Jack ... so to say the "2nd" rider is worse than their main horse is again misleading.
Pit's stated i guess from what i read that he wanted to be "fair" by letting riders know he was talking to replacement riders and then gets upset when riders go and do the same by talking to other teams!? FFS
I reckon Oliveira had enough of that and finally stood up!
Lets see where Oliveira lands and who will benefit more from this separation!
On the same note, lets hope this move doesn't kill Miller's carrear altogether.
Cheers
Agree but I also wonder, if with Jack now starting to get in age and years in the game terms, plus his soon to be marriage and wll, I wonder if the surety of a 2 year deal played a part.
Jack has only had 1 year team deals in MotoGP (the 3 year HRC deal does not give team surety) and while I have seen that some of that is on him, as we age we do start to look for a little consistency and support.
That all said, I personally do not feel that he has received the support of Ducati who, since the days of Stoner seem to have been totally focused on an Italian Champion and stuff all other nationalities. And it is not like that aspect has borne fruit as yet.
Personally, I think Ducati will miss him and I say that without mentioning his personality. Last year we saw Jack openly openly state that he will support Pecco to try to get the World Title (once Jack's chances were all but gone) and we saw him follow that up by actions. Not so sure other riders would do the same - team first.
