Melandri IS done at Ducati.

I read somewhere in the internet...

Rumours persist in the MotoGP paddock that former world No 2 Sete Gibernau will return to the grid this year on a Marlboro Ducati GP8 - possibly as soon as the German GP at Sachsenring on July 13.

Gibernau, 35, completed three days of tests in Barcelona earlier this week on the carbon-fibre-framed GP9 prototype, and it is believed that next week he will test the current GP8 machine, that so far only Casey Stoner out of four Ducati riders has proved capable of handling.

"I’m not going to be Melandri’s hangman, or anyone’s," Gibernau told a radio station in his native Catalunya yesterday, referring to Marco Melandri’s horrific season on the GP8. But it is hard to imagine that Melandri will last the season on a bike on which he feels no confidence.

And this also from Loris:

Capirossi joked, `It would be good for me because next year I won´t be the oldest, Sete will be the oldest one!´ before adding more seriously, `I am big friends with him and we talk a lot. He says first of all he wants to try the bike again, but I think from a personal view his feeling is to try to come back.´


I hope Gibbers to come back. That would be a massive insult to Stoner ....who's Ducati's number one ?...Since as far as I know Gibbers is very capable to handle that beast Desmo. So I hope Gibbers to come back, finished in front of Stoner and going to battlefield with (and beaten by) Rossi again..just like the old time...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#46 @ Jun 23 2008, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I read somewhere in the internet...

Rumours persist in the MotoGP paddock that former world No 2 Sete Gibernau will return to the grid this year on a Marlboro Ducati GP8 - possibly as soon as the German GP at Sachsenring on July 13.

Gibernau, 35, completed three days of tests in Barcelona earlier this week on the carbon-fibre-framed GP9 prototype, and it is believed that next week he will test the current GP8 machine, that so far only Casey Stoner out of four Ducati riders has proved capable of handling.

"I’m not going to be Melandri’s hangman, or anyone’s," Gibernau told a radio station in his native Catalunya yesterday, referring to Marco Melandri’s horrific season on the GP8. But it is hard to imagine that Melandri will last the season on a bike on which he feels no confidence.

And this also from Loris:

Capirossi joked, `It would be good for me because next year I won´t be the oldest, Sete will be the oldest one!´ before adding more seriously, `I am big friends with him and we talk a lot. He says first of all he wants to try the bike again, but I think from a personal view his feeling is to try to come back.´


I hope Gibbers to come back. That would be a massive insult to Stoner ....who's Ducati's number one ?...Since as far as I know Gibbers is very capable to handle that beast Desmo. So I hope Gibbers to come back, finished in front of Stoner and going to battlefield with (and beaten by) Rossi again..just like the old time...


ummm pretty sure gibber would only be there to give more information and feedback solely to stoner. currently only stoner is doing anything productive

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#46 @ Jun 23 2008, 04:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I hope Gibbers to come back. That would be a massive insult to Stoner ....who's Ducati's number one ?...Since as far as I know Gibbers is very capable to handle that beast Desmo. So I hope Gibbers to come back, finished in front of Stoner and going to battlefield with (and beaten by) Rossi again..just like the old time...

The ducati engineers presumably with some input from stoner seem to have sorted out the GP08, for stoner anyway, in relatively quick time comparable with rossi/burgess/yamaha in the case of the 2006 yamaha, so I think claims that stoner is incapable of developing a bike at all probably should be retracted at least for the moment. I can't argue against him being unable to develop a bike for anyone else on current evidence.

I don't think getting gibernau has much to do with stoner. I believe it is partly a genuine attempt to develop the bike to help the other ducati riders, and partly an attempt to find another rider who can ride the bike if melandri does seek greener pastures. At the moment as many have said I doubt any current motogp rider who is anywhere near top-line would accept a ducati ride for next year at gunpoint.

As a fan of the sport in general as well as a stoner/ducati fan I am coming to the reluctant view that stoner winning is bad for the sport, with only a few of us getting excited compared to the intense outpouring of joy a rossi win provokes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Jun 23 2008, 05:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The ducati engineers presumably with some input from stoner seem to have sorted out the GP08, for stoner at least, in relatively quick time comparable with rossi/burgess/yamaha in the case of the 2006 yamaha, so I think claims that stoner is incapable of developing a bike at all probably should be retracted at least for the moment. I can't argue against him being unable to develop a bike for anyone else on current evidence.

I don't think getting gibernau has much to do with stoner. I believe it is partly a genuine attempt to develop the bike to help the other ducati riders, and partly an attempt to find another rider who can ride the bike if melandri does seek greener pastures. At the moment as many have said I doubt any current motogp rider who is anywhere near top-line would accept a ducati ride for next year at gunpoint.

As a fan of the sport in general as well as a stoner/ducati fan I am coming to the reluctant view that stoner winning is bad for the sport, with only a few of us getting excited compared to the intense outpouring of joy a rossi win provokes.

i kind of agree with you and also gave credit to stoner's perfect performance all weekend.... its good to see other riders winning makes for a closer championship.

i believe they fixed stoner's problems when they tested at catalunya, stoner said they have a new electronics system and that ties in with that weekend, im guessing the electronic system there using now is from the gp9 because they also said that when they used the 08 settings on the gp9 they were instantly faster.

it makes sense why struggle to setup the bike when the gp9 worked straight away for them....i guess on day 2 stoner was testing the newer electronics system from the gp9

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Jun 23 2008, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As a fan of the sport in general as well as a stoner/ducati fan I am coming to the reluctant view that stoner winning is bad for the sport, with only a few of us getting excited compared to the intense outpouring of joy a rossi win provokes.
What are you talking about? What do you do once Rossi retires? The sport coped before Rossi and the sport will cope after Rossi. The Rossi phenomenon is a two edged sword. Sure he's bought a lot of new people in, but a lot of them will also leave once Rossi retires. The whole cult of Rossi in some ways has dwarfed the sport, which in my opinion can never be good for it.
Also, Stoner and Pedrosa are 2 of the stars of the future so everyone better get used to them being at or near the front for the next decade. People may not like them but that's the way it is.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Jun 23 2008, 06:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What are you talking about? What do you do once Rossi retires? The sport coped before Rossi and the sport will cope after Rossi. The Rossi phenomenon is a two edged sword. Sure he's bought a lot of new people in, but a lot of them will also leave once Rossi retires. The whole cult of Rossi in some ways has dwarfed the sport, which in my opinion can never be good for it.
Also, Stoner and Pedrosa are 2 of the stars of the future so everyone better get used to them being at or near the front for the next decade. People may not like them but that's the way it is.
As you know I am an absolute stoner fan, but it would be nice to see him display more of a sense of humour. He is only young, and perhaps when he is a little older and (hopefully) has had more success he will relax a bit. It was good to see the podium guys shake hands on the track at the end of the race, and pedrosa and stoner chatting in a friendly fashion on the podium.

I guess mick doohan remained cantankerous for his whole career though, and I think people underestimate the intense focus casey needs to ride that thing at the required 11 tenths. I believe he even gave michael schumacher the brush-off when lined up on the grid at one of last year's races.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jazkat @ Jun 23 2008, 04:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i believe they fixed stoner's problems when they tested at catalunya, stoner said they have a new electronics system and that ties in with that weekend, im guessing the electronic system there using now is from the gp9 because they also said that when they used the 08 settings on the gp9 they were instantly faster.

it makes sense why struggle to setup the bike when the gp9 worked straight away for them....i guess on day 2 stoner was testing the newer electronics system from the gp9
I think your theory is not unlikely.

The corollary of saying stoner's performance has improved with better electronics is that he did pretty well to remain somewhat competitive when the electronics were patently not working; whilst he obviously tried to out-ride the bike when he placed 11th, many would not have stayed on the bike at all. He has hair-trigger reflexes if not rossi's style and tactical sense.

I think we will see Melandri on Edward's Tech 3 Yamaha next season. Yamaha have 2 rookies already in Tosland and Lorenzo so replacing Edwards with another rookie could be unlikely.

I don't see another Honda in Melandri's future.

I suggest Edwards bike because I hope Edwards goes to WSBK next year. The reason I hope this is because I want to see him kicking arse and taking names like he used to. If he only has a few years left I want to see him spend them winning.

Marco will do well at Yamaha becuase it will suit his style as it is the oposite to the Ducati - smooth and on rails.

I feel sorry for Dovi if he goes to Repsol Honda next year. I feel sorry for anyone who has to race under the interference of Puig.

Finally I agree with Jumkie - Melandri is a quitter!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Jun 23 2008, 06:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As you know I am an absolute stoner fan, but it would be nice to see him display more of a sense of humour.


I kind of understand what you mean with this comment Michael but I do ask why having a sense of humour should be required?

This is a business and whilst ideally one would prefer to have fun (which is what Rossi appears to do), it is a job and needs to be treated as such. CS may not seem like an extrovert in the VR way but he does smile, laugh and to me appears to have fun when things are within his comfort zone (all riders show it when outside their comfort zone).

To me, CS is a professional and I would go as far as to say a consumate professional who is focused on the task at hand.

But (and this is where I think you and others come from), is he marketable or likely to become the 'face of the sport' as VR has done? IMO, he is marketable but as interviews with him have alluded, he is not comfortable with much of the marketing side and I feel he will not become the new 'face' of the sport. Besides, there will not be another VR in terms of the level of public awareness he has bought to the sport and I doubt if any current rider even wants to try to take VR's crown in that aspect.





Garry

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Jun 23 2008, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>All this stories about teams screwing their riders is ........, it's in their best interest to help both riders and get good results with as many bikes as possible. Marco simply sucks on the Duc and is obviously quitted mentally on this project.

I'm just looking forward to see who will be the next one to try to tame the red beast, IMO Gibernau, Elias or Canepa.
im not so sure teo. money plays a big part. The choice could be A. have 1 bike at the front and one nearer the back or B.have both in the middle. it costs a lot of money to put a motogp bike on the grid it costs even more to make it a championship contending bike. i bet some teams have a bike and rider testing the new "beta" parts for the championship contending bike and the more exotic the parts the more this practice will happen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Jun 23 2008, 06:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What are you talking about? What do you do once Rossi retires? The sport coped before Rossi and the sport will cope after Rossi. The Rossi phenomenon is a two edged sword. Sure he's bought a lot of new people in, but a lot of them will also leave once Rossi retires. The whole cult of Rossi in some ways has dwarfed the sport, which in my opinion can never be good for it.
Also, Stoner and Pedrosa are 2 of the stars of the future so everyone better get used to them being at or near the front for the next decade. People may not like them but that's the way it is.
i think most of this is an urban myth, it was no different when doohan was racing. funny how pricks like you are so ready to use the cult word when talking about rossi fans. what race's have you been to ? when i was at valencia there were more pedro fans than rossi fans, come the middle of 07 there was a massive influx of stoner fans,just look at all the ducati red in the crowds now. dont hear you calling them a cult. your bias and hatred stand out like a big ....... neon light.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Jun 23 2008, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>To me, CS is a professional and I would go as far as to say a consumate professional who is focused on the task at hand.
But (and this is where I think you and others come from), is he marketable or likely to become the 'face of the sport' as VR has done? IMO, he is marketable but as interviews with him have alluded, he is not comfortable with much of the marketing side and I feel he will not become the new 'face' of the sport. Besides, there will not be another VR in terms of the level of public awareness he has bought to the sport and I doubt if any current rider even wants to try to take VR's crown in that aspect.
I was a huge mick doohan fan and his cantankerousness whilst not to everyone's taste was part of his appeal for me. I think part of the problem with the perception of casey is that he has begun to achieve at a young age compared to mick and looks even younger than he is, whereas mick started later in gp racing and always had a certain gravitas. If casey wins further championships, I am sure people will respect his essential character, which includes telling the unvarnished truth as he sees it and trying his utmost to win most races he starts in. You are correct that casey signed up to be a motogp rider and winner, not to be a stand-up comedian.

Rossi is as ruthless a competitor as doohan or anyone else there has ever been, just a bit more sophisticated about how he displays it. You have to admire his style though.

Sorry, double post.

I'm not sure what this thread is about anymore. Who really gives a monkies about sense of humour when you are world champion?

Melandri's inability to get on with the ducati outlines the brilliance of other riders.

Rossi's ability to make the crowd love him yes is great in a way but lets face it all the merchanidised yellow .... he churns out every year only serves to line his own pockets and unless he has set up his own race academy in a philanthopist type of way i don't see how a sea of yellow is of any benefit to the sport. The genius of it is that people wear this yellow crap and are quite happy walking around looking like yellow bananas, how else would you get grown men to wear yellow on mass. Not only that but the piece de resistance will be when he announces the fact that he is gay and the last laugh will be on the homophobic fans who bought the merchandise. (I am joking before someone stabs me...........or am I?)

Don't get me wrong, the guy is awesome, but SOME of his "fans", of the like who invade the track and try and take the helmet off his head or just try and touch the guy are complete and utter arseholes.

But back to melandri. I feel for the guy but he has no business being on that bike any more.

Liz

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (l13eaw @ Jun 23 2008, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi's ability to make the crowd love him yes is great in a way but lets face it all the merchanidised yellow .... he churns out every year only serves to line his own pockets and unless he has set up his own race academy in a philanthopist type of way i don't see how a sea of yellow is of any benefit to the sport. The genius of it is that people wear this yellow crap and are quite happy walking around looking like yellow bananas, how else would you get grown men to wear yellow on mass. Not only that but the piece de resistance will be when he announces the fact that he is gay and the last laugh will be on the homophobic fans who bought the merchandise. (I am joking before someone stabs me...........or am I?)

Liz

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (l13eaw @ Jun 23 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not sure what this thread is about anymore. Who really gives a monkies about sense of humour when you are world champion?
Liz
Fair point, similar to garry's .

But it wasn't such a sea of yellow yesterday I have to admit the JT fans were definitely out in force. But in reality yellow was better tha blue yesterday. BIG SIGH.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (l13eaw @ Jun 23 2008, 04:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not sure what this thread is about anymore. Who really gives a monkies about sense of humour when you are world champion?

Melandri's inability to get on with the ducati outlines the brilliance of other riders.

Rossi's ability to make the crowd love him yes is great in a way but lets face it all the merchanidised yellow .... he churns out every year only serves to line his own pockets and unless he has set up his own race academy in a philanthopist type of way i don't see how a sea of yellow is of any benefit to the sport. The genius of it is that people wear this yellow crap and are quite happy walking around looking like yellow bananas, how else would you get grown men to wear yellow on mass. Not only that but the piece de resistance will be when he announces the fact that he is gay and the last laugh will be on the homophobic fans who bought the merchandise. (I am joking before someone stabs me...........or am I?)

Don't get me wrong, the guy is awesome, but SOME of his "fans", of the like who invade the track and try and take the helmet off his head or just try and touch the guy are complete and utter arseholes.

But back to melandri. I feel for the guy but he has no business being on that bike any more.

Liz

Funny you should say that, my wife thinks that he is gay/.... too.

It sad to hear this that he is goes! but he hope that nicky hayden come in his place

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MarcoDucati... @ Jun 23 2008, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It sad to hear this that he is goes! but he hope that nicky hayden come in his place

Yup start thinking about a new screen name