Melandri Agrees To Ride "Dornasaki"?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Slide @ Feb 12 2009, 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>marco WAS mentally though....
No he wasn't. Even in 2005, unarguably his best season where he finished second behind Rossi, Marco was NOT mentally tough. He'd have won races sooner if he'd been mentally tougher. It wasn't unusual for him to be leading races (or be ahead of Rossi) only to cave in as soon as he saw his pit board stating Rossi was the rider behind him. In order to get over it he then asked his pit crew to put out just the distance the next rider from him was in seconds, leaving out the name, because he couldn't handle Rossi being on his .... That's not mentally tough. And it's a pity, because I think he's a great rider who could have done sooooo much better with a bit more confidence.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Feb 12 2009, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No he wasn't. Even in 2005, unarguably his best season where he finished second behind Rossi, Marco was NOT mentally tough. He'd have won races sooner if he'd been mentally tougher. It wasn't unusual for him to be leading races (or be ahead of Rossi) only to cave in as soon as he saw his pit board stating Rossi was the rider behind him. In order to get over it he then asked his pit crew to put out just the distance the next rider from him was in seconds, leaving out the name, because he couldn't handle Rossi being on his .... That's not mentally tough. And it's a pity, because I think he's a great rider who could have done sooooo much better with a bit more confidence.
He's quite a talented rider, too bad he's such a head case.

Well just as a Marco update...he's testing Speedcar tonight in view of his upcoming race and has the 5th best time so far.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bikergirl @ Feb 12 2009, 09:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No he wasn't. Even in 2005, unarguably his best season where he finished second behind Rossi, Marco was NOT mentally tough. He'd have won races sooner if he'd been mentally tougher. It wasn't unusual for him to be leading races (or be ahead of Rossi) only to cave in as soon as he saw his pit board stating Rossi was the rider behind him. In order to get over it he then asked his pit crew to put out just the distance the next rider from him was in seconds, leaving out the name, because he couldn't handle Rossi being on his .... That's not mentally tough. And it's a pity, because I think he's a great rider who could have done sooooo much better with a bit more confidence.

WOW. Seriously Bikergirl, much respect to you for this post. I know you like the guy, so its NOT easy to admit flaws of somebody you admire. I feel the same way about him, that is, I admire his talent, but damn it, he isn't as tough consistently as I think he is capable. Not just going back to 05 (the year he won his first MotoGP race) but even going back to his 250 days. He showed signs of lacking metal toughness too.

Now, in his defense, he has shown moments of brilliance overcoming what would have put any of us in the metal hospital. I was there when Marco ate .... during practice at Laguna in turn 3. (He clipped Kurtis Roberts who's bike had malfunctioned). Marco wetn flying and tumbling into the air fense. I swear I felt a lump in my throat thinking his season was over. (As anybody who has ever seen a violent off like that in real life, not on TV, can attest, things like this look horrible to witness.) Well, wouldn't you know, he put it behind him and then proceeded to podium! ....... eh. So things like that kept me on his side. Sadly, the crying on the diary and admitting he wouldn't risk positions because he was pouting with Honda is also part of his story. I remember when I first read this, my first reaction was to admire the guy for his honesty (the crying part), but the part about not trying in a race was very disappointing. I guess the guy is just human, eh.

Marco qualified 4th in his Speedcar race attempt. Race proper starting in a few minutes from now...
Wish him all the best.

I don't give a .... what y'all say I want him at Suzuki...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 13 2009, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't give a .... what y'all say I want him at Suzuki...
word

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 13 2009, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't give a .... what y'all say I want him at Suzuki...


Marco on the Suzook sounds interesting to me, I think the guy has got something to give to the right team.

Pete

Denning wanted Marco. It's funny listening to the lack of confidence stuff. I remember him being a real ....... on the Honda. He was a real brake checker and could pass as hard as anyone. Straight-up he ruled Hayden. I think he is worth a one year contract to see if he can perform. His nac nac wheelie over the line in Turkey was the coolest.

.... rider .... bike, whats the point. really

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 14 2009, 03:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Denning wanted Marco. It's funny listening to the lack of confidence stuff. I remember him being a real ....... on the Honda. He was a real brake checker and could pass as hard as anyone. Straight-up he ruled Hayden. I think he is worth a one year contract to see if he can perform. His nac nac wheelie over the line in Turkey was the coolest.

the key to that statement is that this was on a 990....as in past tense. lots of water under the bridge in the ensuing 3 seasons which is plenty of time to develop a ...... up confidence and a very weak work ethic when its not going well. 2005 was marcos best motogp season and i fimrly believe that it will still be the case after 2009, 2010 and beyond.

and yes, his one-handed powerslide out of the last turn @PI and the nac-nac wheelie were cool but cool doesnt even buy you a podium, let alone a win... just look at hopper...

You have excellent points. But his riding is top notch. Just because he failed miserably on the Ducati means nothing, everyone but Stoner so far has. Lamenting it openly is so classically Italian. It only means you know his emotional position at the time. One of my friends is Italian and he can weep on your shoulder one minute in complete despair and astonish you in the next. The failure took its toll but I think he has to be given one more chance.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Feb 14 2009, 07:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>.... rider .... bike, whats the point. really
Naa just a .... bike. He was on a great bike but I think he is just way to used to the way Honda's work. He is badass on a Honda but that is as far as it goes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 14 2009, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You have excellent points. But his riding is top notch. Just because he failed miserably on the Ducati means nothing, everyone but Stoner so far has. Lamenting it openly is so classically Italian. It only means you know his emotional position at the time. One of my friends is Italian and he can weep on your shoulder one minute in complete despair and astonish you in the next. The failure took its toll but I think he has to be given one more chance.
I would hardly say that Loris falls into that category. Even if you mean purely with respect to the World Championship I would remind you that he was a major contender in '06.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Feb 14 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would hardly say that Loris falls into that category. Even if you mean purely with respect to the World Championship I would remind you that he was a major contender in '06.
he would have been maybe able to win, of he hadnt fell...

I agree Slide.

Dornazaki news:
http://www.motogpmatters.com/
Well,the latest statement anyway.I guess he's aiming at 2010.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Feb 15 2009, 06:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would hardly say that Loris falls into that category. Even if you mean purely with respect to the World Championship I would remind you that he was a major contender in '06.
I think he means the 800.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Feb 15 2009, 01:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think he means the 800.
Loris did win a GP on the ducati gp07. I agree in general though that loris didn't really meld with the 800 ducati, because stoner was regularly a second or more a lap faster than him, and good as I obviously think stoner is I don't believe he is intrinsically more than a second a lap faster than loris. The recent test results would suggest loris has by no means lost it either.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Feb 15 2009, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Loris did win a GP on the ducati gp07. I agree in general though that loris didn't really meld with the 800 ducati, because stoner was regularly a second or more a lap faster than him, and good as I obviously think stoner is I don't believe he is intrinsically more than a second a lap faster than loris. The recent test results would suggest loris has by no means lost it either.
Yeah, he never really got to grips with the 800. His win at Motegi was in a very difficult wet/dry race, which was a real lottery I believe.