Melandri IS done at Ducati.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68689


"You can't understand why Marco can't handle the bike. Even Guintoli has managed to improve. Three seconds away from Casey are too many," Suppo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Let's wait and see what happens in Germany and at Laguna Seca, where Melandri has shown good things. If the situation doesn't unblock, then we'll do something. But to change rider is always difficult."


Looks like it's finally out there, such a shame lets hope Marco proves them wrong

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (krusty @ Jun 27 2008, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I remember Bayliss had a one off 250 ride at the Oz GP in the mid 90's which got him noticed (and he went to BSB the next year). Maybe it was 97?! Anyway he was awesome for someone who never ridden that class of bike before. I'm sure he finished in the top 5 or 6! I'm pretty sure it was on a Suzuki.
Thanks Krusty. So he really is a SBK boy through and through, then.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vibe @ Jun 28 2008, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>"Even guintoli has managed to improve." Suppo told Gazzetta dello Sport.
The stuff about marco is unforunately not news to anyone.

Suppo doesn't seem to rate guintoli very highly. Even if he thinks it he could perhaps refrain from saying this about a rider with whom he is associated, particularly when said rider appears to have just made a substantial improvement. He is of course correct in saying that you would expect melandri to perform better than guintoli.

'Improve or else', that's pretty frank.
Although Marco must know this was the case, seeing it in print must make it worse, that's a lot of extra pressure on him, when things are already bad.

it's over for him... he's gonna have to try & line up a ride for next season. he'll have plenty of time.

i think the rumours are that dropping marco will mean a lot of compensation for ducati, and they do not have any alternative (good enough??) i think all development has been put to no 1 ducati and marcos machine well i think they have now accepted nothing is going to help marco unless they build a new bike from scratch(close to) mid season which is NEVEr GOING TO happen

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jun 28 2008, 08:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>it's over for him... he's gonna have to try & line up a ride for next season. he'll have plenty of time.
Frosty what's up man........long time...........i agree.........not a good match.........I doubt its ego on Marco's fault, but that bike isn't user friendly

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jun 21 2008, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>damm posting that pic would extend his contract for another year at least.

post the youtube video and its worth another 2 years fo sho.

Better yet, how about a video of Istanbul '06, last lap.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vibe @ Jun 28 2008, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68689


"You can't understand why Marco can't handle the bike. Even Guintoli has managed to improve. Three seconds away from Casey are too many," Suppo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Let's wait and see what happens in Germany and at Laguna Seca, where Melandri has shown good things. If the situation doesn't unblock, then we'll do something. But to change rider is always difficult."


Looks like it's finally out there, such a shame lets hope Marco proves them wrong
My guess is,I think Melandri is already fired by clausuls in their contract and will be replaced after the summerbrake.Unless he makes it to the podium or something really big.It is bad for the team and manufacturer to (suddenly)change rider without a clear warning.Suppo has to say something more definite now to not surprise/affend/upset Melandris fans too much when he has got to be replaced after Laguna Seca.

Hey guys & gals,
Long time lurker first time poster.

This is how I see the change.
Marco back at Gresini
Dovi at repsol
Nicky at Ducati
De Angelis at LCR

Read this little bit from autosport>> http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68725











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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (evo9 @ Jun 30 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hey guys & gals,
Long time lurker first time poster.

This is how I see the change.
Marco back at Gresini
Dovi at repsol
Nicky at Ducati
De Angelis at LCR

Read this little bit from autosport>> http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68725

Could very well be,my guess too.Marco back to Gresini yes,Dovi at Repsol yes but i'm not 100% about De Angelis at LCR and Hayden at Ducati,maybe.









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What ever happens Stoner needs it to happen fast .....

Another rider up in the mix would take points from the other guys ..... like Capirossi did .... hence make it a lot easier for Stoner.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (evo9 @ Jun 30 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hey guys & gals,
Long time lurker first time poster.

This is how I see the change.
Marco back at Gresini
Dovi at repsol
Nicky at Ducati
De Angelis at LCR

Read this little bit from autosport>> http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68725

.

I find this hard to believe because i don't see LCR ditching DePuniet (who they have a good relationship with) for a rookie who crashes as much, expecting him to learn to ride new tyres and suspension.

It's all wild speculation but i think West is Sacked, Marco to Kawasaki, guintoli bumped to Marlboro wile Canepa rides the Alice bike.

or just send marco out on a kamikaze mission

Assume professionalism is completely out the window for this post ok?
If Ducati do end up kicking him to the curb.......wouldn't be really funny on his last outing to see Marco go out and completely ghost ride the Desmo into a barricade or 12 it up on the main straight and just bail lol....just picture it.....I'm actually surprised some riders haven't done it before.....

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68772

Kawasaki have revealed that Marco Melandri is a surprise contender to replace the injured John Hopkins at the German Grand Prix, if the Italian rider parts way with Ducati.

Melandri has had a torrid time at Ducati Marlboro this year, failing to match the pace of teammate Casey Stoner and struggling even to score points.

His difficulties have left his future at the reigning world champions in doubt, and speculation he could be replaced soon has mounted with news that Sete Gibernau is once again testing for the team at Mugello.

And Michael Bartholemy, Kawasaki's competition manager, has suggested that if Melandri is available then he could land the seat as stand-in for Hopkins in Germany.

"It's a complex situation," Bartholemy told Gazzetta dello Sport. "At Laguna Seca we should have an American rider on track. If Hopkins won't be there, we'll have one of the Kawasaki USA riders.

"At Sachsenring, however, the bike is available. If Ducati tell us that Marco has no links with them, that there are no kinds of strings attached, then if he's interested he might get the ride."

Hopkins suffered leg injuries in a crash during qualifying for last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix and is doubtful for the next two races in Germany and America.

===========

Nw this would be interesting to see. Would that mean Sete mounted up in Germany? Wow...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jul 1 2008, 04:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I find this hard to believe because i don't see LCR ditching DePuniet (who they have a good relationship with) for a rookie who crashes as much, expecting him to learn to ride new tyres and suspension.

It's all wild speculation but i think West is Sacked, Marco to Kawasaki, guintoli bumped to Marlboro wile Canepa rides the Alice bike.



Good catch Tom! I ment Jir Scot team for De Angelis.






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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Jul 1 2008, 02:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What ever happens Stoner needs it to happen fast .....

Another rider up in the mix would take points from the other guys ..... like Capirossi did .... hence make it a lot easier for Stoner.
is this why he was shaking his head at him at dony even tho he won your funny !

Whomever Ducati gets for the seat is going to have to realize they need a specific type of rider cause of the way the bike needs to be ridden. This is why you know Nicky would be good. As for the interum Sete would be a decent choice to hopefully get in between a few points holders to get him a better chance to win. This season is surely a doosey though ain't it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Jul 1 2008, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Whomever Ducati gets for the seat is going to have to realize they need a specific type of rider cause of the way the bike needs to be ridden. This is why you know Nicky would be good. As for the interum Sete would be a decent choice to hopefully get in between a few points holders to get him a better chance to win. This season is surely a doosey though ain't it?

I think Nicky is a dynamite choice for Ducati.....a guy that likes to muscle the bike....the question is...who would ride for the evil empire?