MARCO MELANDRI

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think this will be Loris' last year. If not of his career, definetly at Ducati.

It will be sad to see such a huge figure go.


i caught an interview on BBC at the weekend and he was sayin that he wants to do two more years but when asked would he stay at ducati he just looked at the sky and had a big smile on his face it was hard for the interviewer to get an answer out of him but when she asked him if he would sign to another team he said if they can produce a title winning package he would sign for sure with another big smile across his face

lets say even if one of the better teams did'nt want to sign him the other teams would be going crazy trying to get his name on paper weather he would want to sign i would'nt think so

i think he will be there for another while yet, i hope he will anyway, he is great

I'm not sure about this one.
Lets see:

<strike>Pramac D'Antin Ducati</strike>. He's more than capable of getting a better ride.
<strike>Fiat Yamaha</strike>. Well, Rossi there and talks of Lorenzo moving to that team..
<strike>Tech 3 Yamaha</strike>. He can get something faster for sure.
<strike>Repsol Honda</strike>. I think they'll keep Dani, but I'm not sure about Nicky since this season's not going well. Maybe he woud move, but the discussion about him wanting to move away from Honda indicates that it's unlikely that he would go there.
<strike>Team Roberts, LCR Honda and Konica Minolta</strike>. He can get faster rides and Team Roberts has the Roberts in it..

That leaves Rizla Suzuki, Kawasaki and Ducati. I don't think that he would do well on a Kawasaki. Take Nakano as an example, he didn't really do well on that bike otherwise he wouldn't have moved. The Kawasaki's are rarely in the top 10, which could just be down to the riders.
Rizla Suzuki: a good chance that he would go there, but I have a feeling that they would want to keep Chris and John because they're both doing well.
Ducati: maybe Melandri could replace Capirossi. Loris did say in an interview that he would like stop MotoGP and be with his family, but not yet. Maybe Ducati would sign a deal with someone else because Loris isn't riding as well as he has been for the last couple of years and they need someone who isn't worrying about their family at home. I'm not saying that's all Capirossi thinks about, it's just that since his wife had their baby, he hasn't been the same. And he even admitted this.
So therefore, I think he would go to Ducati.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I may be slightly biased being a devout Melandri fan, but i dont think he has a big mouth at all.


in all fairness it must be seriously frustrating for marco

even vale bitched a little a couple weeks ago when Bridgestone was kickin the arse off Michelin and he was behind the new tyre rule

I've heard a rumor that Nicky just spent an entire day at the Ducati factory. The claimed purpose of his visit was to receive a full-on custom bike he had ordered. He also had a dinner with the Corse director.

Would it be too far fetched to have HRC terminate Hayden's contract for 2008 to get Melandri in the works team and Hayden become the no. 2 at Ducati once Capirossi retires?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 12 2007, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've heard a rumor that Nicky just spent an entire day at the Ducati factory. The claimed purpose of his visit was to receive a full-on custom bike he had ordered. He also had a dinner with the Corse director.

Would it be too far fetched to have HRC terminate Hayden's contract for 2008 to get Melandri in the works team and Hayden become the no. 2 at Ducati once Capirossi retires?


i would like to see that happen

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 13 2007, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've heard a rumor that Nicky just spent an entire day at the Ducati factory. The claimed purpose of his visit was to receive a full-on custom bike he had ordered. He also had a dinner with the Corse director.

Would it be too far fetched to have HRC terminate Hayden's contract for 2008 to get Melandri in the works team and Hayden become the no. 2 at Ducati once Capirossi retires?

Sounds fairly possible.

As long as Melandri is either at Repsol Honda or Ducati im happy, i think the guy deserves a works ride, he is championship material.

Although im not too sure why Ducati would want Hayden

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I may be slightly biased being a devout Melandri fan, but i dont think he has a big mouth at all.

I too am a fan, but he has vented his frustration poorly this season, and conducted himself in a negative manor. There are ways of dealing with Honda when you want something from them and this is not it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 05:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sounds fairly possible.

1. he is championship material.

2. though im not too sure why Ducati would want Hayden

1. Perhaps, he hasn't put anything too convincing together just yet, he obviously has the speed at times but he isn't fast at every circuit in all circumstances. Thats an essential skill these days, but i think marco can find that.

2. Because he is championship material (remember 2006)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 13 2007, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>2. Because he is championship material (remember 2006)

I think that season would have been very different if Gibernau didnt take out quite a few people at Catalunya.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 04:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Although im not too sure why Ducati would want Hayden
There are actually a few reasons. First, the US is their biggest market, one of the reasons why they maintained such a close relationship with Ben Bostrom despite his (it hurts me to say it) mediocre results. Popular American riders sell bikes in the US. Secondly, with the season Hayden is having, he will come on the cheap. Thirdly, there isn't the risk of him slagging off the Ducati as Melandri has historically done. Finally, he has the pace to run up front. He's shown it in the past and with the Ducati suiting a more 'point-and-shoot' style than any other 800, it might be the right combination.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Richo33 @ Jun 12 2007, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think that season would have been very different if Gibernau didnt take out quite a few people at Catalunya.

IF is a useless word when talking about that past. You can easily IF your way to any outcome you want, but it didn't happen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Trigga @ Jun 4 2007, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its only a 1/3 of the season gone,but he's not a happy camper.Hes not satisfied with the way HONDA has treated him.Or so it seems.His contract is up at the end of 07'.So will he stay you think?Or move on and find a ride with PRAMAC DUCATI or will SUZUKI snatch him up and put money up for a 3 rider team?

i think he should go to fiat yamaha and become rossi team mate, agree???

mjiv04

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 13 2007, 03:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I too am a fan, but he has vented his frustration poorly this season, and conducted himself in a negative manor. There are ways of dealing with Honda when you want something from them and this is not it.

1. Perhaps, he hasn't put anything too convincing together just yet, he obviously has the speed at times but he isn't fast at every circuit in all circumstances. Thats an essential skill these days, but i think marco can find that.

2. Because he is championship material (remember 2006)

Yep, Melandri certainly wouldn't make it as a politician. It seemed pretty obvious someone had spoken to him after the comments made on his website. Suddenly the Honda wasn't so bad. Airing your views about your employer in public isn't the way to go in any profession, certainly not one with such a high profile. I'm sure negative comments don't reflect well on the sponsor either.

1. Agreed. I like Melandri as a guy, but he pretty much hasn't put together a really consistent season yet. I would have expected 06 to be it.

Round 1. 5th
Round 2. 7th
Round 3. 1st
Round 4. 7th
Round 5. 1st
Round 6. 6th
Round 7. injured

He can't give guys like Pedrosa, Stoner and Rossi breaks like this in future seasons. He can win and the potential is there, hes only 24 and with factory support he should be in a position to win every week.

I would be surprised if any top level rider would accept a Honda ride for 2008. It is clear that Dani is Honda's golden boy and everyone else gets second rate equipment in comparison. Just look at Nicky last year when he was leading the championship and still being lumbered with questionable quality parts (clutch) which nearly cost him the championship. This year he has waited 4 races for the same exhaust system as Dani runs and he is the defending champ (I am not suggesting by any means that Nicky is actually good enough to win another championship!). Honda are at the mercy of Repsol in many respects and a non-repsol Honda will never win a championship. You have more chance of winning the MotoGP Championship on a Kawasaki then any Honda other than Dani's

I predict for the next few seasons Honda will be the entry team for newbies or the exit team for relics (Checa) in MotoGP because all current riders with an ability to run at the front will want to be with a team that will allow them to win.

I reckon Melandri will be dressed in red next season and will be a very very strong contender for the title. I would be happy for him to win races if he does a one handed power slide out of the last corner like he did at Phillip Island last year each time he wins!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jun 12 2007, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There are actually a few reasons. First, the US is their biggest market, one of the reasons why they maintained such a close relationship with Ben Bostrom despite his (it hurts me to say it) mediocre results. Popular American riders sell bikes in the US. Secondly, with the season Hayden is having, he will come on the cheap. Thirdly, there isn't the risk of him slagging off the Ducati as Melandri has historically done. Finally, he has the pace to run up front. He's shown it in the past and with the Ducati suiting a more 'point-and-shoot' style than any other 800, it might be the right combination.

I can see the Nicky at Ducati part, but the Melandri at Repsol part is what gets me. Why would Honda reward him with a factory seat after he's been talking smack about them publicly, and repeatedly?

I could see Capi at Kawasaki. They might just make it worth his while. Last season they kept talking about wanting a very experienced rider to develop the bike. They were linked to Sete and Biaggi among others. Jaque obviously has not filled the experienced development rider role this season, so I could see them looking to Capirossi (proven race winner).

Capi out, Nicky in at Ducati. Marco to....Suzuki? Staying at Gresini? I dunno!

BTW, where did you pick up the Nicky-Ducati factory rumor? Sounds cool...I wonder if he got a 1098 or what.

Can someone link me to all the "smack" Melandri has been talking about Honda?

The negative things i hear him say are along the lines of "Cant find the right setup, bike is not working well with me, we need new parts etc etc"

And i think he has everyright to speak the truth about the bike, unless i have missed something else that he has said (i probly have ) i dont think he has been saying anything he shouldnt say.

Nicky will stay at Repsol next year, he has a two year deal and the package as a whole will only ever improve.. Capirossi will retire (should do anyway) along with Barros which frees up two Ducati seats for Melandri and maybe Toseland (Honda want to keep him in WSBK in 08 according to a few sources.) Then it is tipped that Elias will go to the new Aspar MotoGP team, weather that be with Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha or Honda. That leaves two Gresini spots wide open, with the influx of 'supposed' new teams next year, the possibility of new riders entering and rider change/transfer really is mouth watering..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (antfan @ Jun 13 2007, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That leaves two Gresini spots wide open,

make that one, Dovi will have a Honda v4 next year

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 13 2007, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>make that one, Dovi will have a Honda v4 next year

Good call! Ive even heard Sofuoglu's name thrown around..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (antfan @ Jun 13 2007, 09:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good call! Ive even heard Sofuoglu's name thrown around..

Really? I think its a bit soon to be putting him in motogp, but maybe they know something i don't. Why would honda have him over JT, or was this on the basis that Honda keep JT in superbikes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 13 2007, 06:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Really? I think its a bit soon to be putting him in motogp, but maybe they know something i don't. Why would honda have him over JT, or was this on the basis that Honda keep JT in superbikes.

Yep.. And when u thnk about it, 600 WSS bikes are probably more similar to the new 800's than WSBK bikes.. Sofuoglu is younger and keep in mind, its purely a speculated rumour.. Eurosport posted 'possible/likely lineups' for 2008.. But it wouldnt be unfounded..