Melandri will race Kawasaki in MotoGP!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 27 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hummmn Laguna 2007? Anyone? Funny. Kurtis where the .... am I on the track Roberts? Bam! oh podium with a broken ankle vs DNF. Too funny.

Hopper 15th...just had to mention that.
Now I see why Roger was shitting on you.

1. Kurtis' bike malfunctioned. Simply happenstance.

2. Unlike Hopper/Hayden contact, which was cause and effect of Stoner missing the apex. Or did you forget why that 15th position transpired? Perhaps you also forgot that he was matching the pace in lap times while at the back. Something you also probably don't give any credence to.

(Do your home work buddy).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 27 2009, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, results are everything

Prototype racing. Look up its meaning.

Not so fast says Melandri


Melandri surprised by Kawasaki announcement
Marco Melandri has revealed his surprise at being announced by Kawasaki as the lone rider for its new 'scaled down' MotoGP entry in 2009.

A Kawasaki statement released on Thursday confirmed that, after negotiations with Dorna and 'other involved parties', its planned MotoGP withdraw has been replaced by 'a new one-rider Team [which] will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship... equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials.'

Both Melandri and John Hopkins had contracts with the previous Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2009 MotoGP season, but the release was clear: 'Rider for the new MotoGP team will be the Italian Marco Melandri.'

However, Melandri claims he has not yet officially agreed to such a project and is waiting to see how the new 2009 ZX-RR performs during the forthcoming Qatar test, which starts on Sunday.

"The announcement was a surprise for me too!” Melandri told Sportmediaset.it “I knew they were looking for a new team name [rumoured to be 'Hayate'] but that was all. The Japanese have not contacted me yet.

"I'm going to the Qatar test to understand the level of the new machine with respect to the competition and then we can discuss everything... The new bike is said to be a radical change compared to the 2008 bike so I am curious to experience it myself.”

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now I see why Roger was shitting on you.

1. Kurtis' bike malfunctioned. Simply happenstance.

2. Unlike Hopper/Hayden contact, which was cause and effect of Stoner missing the apex. Or did you forget why that 15th position transpired? Perhaps you also forgot that he was matching the pace in lap times while at the back. Something you also probably don't give any credence to.

(Do your home work buddy).

Both came to race on race day with decent machinery. The rest is history. I don't have to research it I watched it. Contact between Hayden and Hopper was not Stoner's fault anymore than Stoner dropping his bike last corner was Rossi's fault last year (ask Rog). Marco seemed to make it through the opening mayhem with a broken ankle and nailed a podium. I just thought the Marco comparison to Kurtis was funny considering what actually happened. They are polar opposites on the talent line.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 28 2009, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Both came to race on race day with decent machinery. The rest is history. I don't have to research it I watched it. Contact between Hayden and Hopper was not Stoner's fault anymore than Stoner dropping his bike last corner was Rossi's fault last year (ask Rog). Marco seemed to make it through the opening mayhem with a broken ankle and nailed a podium. I just thought the Marco comparison to Kurtis was funny considering what actually happened. They are polar opposites on the talent line.

Ok, you have two points in your post, but we only have time for one. (If you want my take on the first turn incident that had Hopper/Hayden contact, and then you somehow DEDUCED something about Hopper's talent from that (as you pointed out he finished 15th, without any explanation) then all you need to do is look at member Noodlerizer's sig which reads: "Stoner can take credit for kicking the whole thing off by missing the apex of the Andretti hairpin by a country mile. ....... 250 children, panicky as all hell." That's pretty much how I see it, simple cause and effect of a mistake which had consequences on two other rider. End of.

Now on to your second point:

Ah, I'm with you on the Kurtis / Marco comparison. Sure, I'll put Melandri a cut above Kurtis, right? Ok, but I'd propose, not by alot.

Ok, tell me something gfan. Do you think Marco would have beat Kurtis riding the KR while Marco on a full works Ducati? (Completely hypothetical, I know but just play along for the sake of a little exchange buddy).

Now think about this for a moment. You had a guy in Kurtis, probably more comparable to say a rider like Sylvan Guintoli, no previous major accomplishments except a fairly good rider. In the case of Kurtis, on his dad's team. Do you remember that year for KR? They started with KRjr, then moved on to Kurtis. Ok, you remember that I'm sure, now how about the evolution of the bike? Oh yeah, we are talking about the worst possible situation for a team runing a Honda, who's full works Honda was a piece of crap. Now imagine the trickle down effect this had on a undeveloped sub par engine they handed to the only privateer effort on the grid? Hell if they couldn't get their works stuff developed, can you imagine their hand-me-down stuff? (Which, if you remember the season, Honda admitted as much, that is) no development for anybody leasing their ..... BTW, this was on Michelins, at a time when not many had noticed they were subpar, that is until it was identified as one major reason for the downfall of a certain champion. So ok, at this point its fairly a decent explanation as to WHY Kurtis KR might circulate at the BACK, right?

Now lets look at Melandri's FULL WORKS Bstone shod Ducati. An Italian, on the premiere Italian machine, who's people have two religions and a national passtime: Racing, Soccer, and Catholicism (respectively). Who's sleepless nights and sole mission was to hoist a popular likeable "talented" Italian on their machine. Who by most accounts, was by far the most technically advanced machine with the support, tires, to boot! A machine certainly better than say the worst machines on the grid, Kawasaki.

So answer this question: Did both riders (Kurtis/Marco) circulated at the WAY BACK in their respective seasons? FACT: Yes.

Which of these two riders might have a reasonable reason for this?

Place your answer here_____________

Now what does that say about talent vs mental attitude vs prototype machine? Ah, now this is the debate.

Following the LOGIC of your previous DEDUCTION, I could actually make a case for Kurtis not being so bad (perhaps even better), and Marco being pitiful (or at very least focus a magnify glass on this thing we call "prototype" racing as it relates to mental attitude, which you may want to look in to buddy.

Now follow the logic please, and be honest, based on this explanation, it doesn't look so reasonable to accuse Kurtis of being such a ...... rider compared to Marco after-all, eh?

Now, again, this whole thing started because I was making the case that Melandri, though very talented (and I accept this, so this was NOT part of the debate) but my point was: doesn't have the mental attitude to overcome challenges on a bike. My point was that Hopper seemed the better fit (no so much the better rider) for this particular kind of job! This is the debate my friend, but you sidetracted by trying to say Marco is just that much more talented. But as you can see, the Kurtis/Marco comparison yields a very different picture. As you ponder this, did you ever hear Hopper or Kurtis throw their hands up in anger at anytime during a very frustrating season and publicly declare they would no long try for positions in a race because their bikes were ....? How about just say declare the bike was ....?

They didn't even do that. The answers to these question reveal what I'm talking about: mental attitude. On this criteria, I'd go with Hopper over Melandri. But then again, that was NEVER the question, because we all know the criteria was/is: who is more MARKETABLE.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ok, you have two points in your post, but we only have time for one....End of.

That was the situation not the cause of Hoppers/Haydens misfortune. Stoner can only ride one bike at a time. You can't say that Rossi didn't cause Stoners fall and say Stoner caused Hopper/Hayden's fall. One or the other.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now on to your second point:

Ah, I'm with you on the Kurtis / Marco comparison. Sure, I'll put Melandri a cut above Kurtis, right? Ok, but I'd propose, not by alot.
I'd say a lot so we differ there. Also, Hopper is far better than Roberts. I think I'm coming off always dumping on Hopper but I think he is a decent rider, just not great. And by great I mean multi-championship material not race winner potential.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ok, tell me something gsfan. Do you think Marco would have beat Kurtis riding the KR while Marco on a full works Ducati? (Completely hypothetical, I know but just play along for the sake of a little exchange buddy).

Of course. He could have beaten him if both of them had the Ksr special.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now think about this for a moment. You had a guy in Kurtis...So ok, at this point its fairly a decent explanation as to WHY Kurtis KR might circulate at the BACK, right?

It was not at all soley Kurtis's fault he was at the back. How the bike got through tech I'll never know. US builder on US soil in front of a US crowd?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now lets look at Melandri's FULL WORKS Bstone shod Ducati....
Doesn't matter. I stated earlier and I agree with Rossi that he would not be able to ride the Ducati no matter how good it was technically. Only one guy has mastered it thus far. Rossi clearly stated that Melandri needed/required soft power like the Honda had not radical explosive power. Tires or no tires he couldn't adapt to the craziness of the Ducati it just wasn't the machine for him. No shame in that IMO. Sometimes you just lose even with the best of intentions. Ducati wasn't going to make a Honda for him and he couldn't adapt. Sad really but this is fact. Doesn't make him a lousy rider any more that lets say...Troy Bayliss for example. Just the wrong situation.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So answer this question: Did both riders (Kurtis/Marco) circulated at the WAY BACK in their respective seasons? FACT: Yes.

Marco was terrible but not because of the machine which by all accounts is a technical marvel. Kurtis was terrible because of the machine and he didn't have much of a chance to show his own potential on it. It is pure speculation to say he would have been great if he'd had say the Gresini Honda that Marco was riding in 2007 the only situation I was talking about. If he was so great or even just say a decent journeyman rider then why didn't any other teams pick him up? Anywhere? To be clear I was calling Kurtis "where the .... on the track am I" because he was on the racing line and the accident was his fault because of it. That can't be construed as me thinking he was in general a ...... rider I was just commenting on that situation. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Which of these two riders might have a reasonable reason for this?

Place your answer here__Both__]

Now what does that say about talent vs mental attitude vs prototype machine? Ah, now this is the debate.

Well it's a new one but I'm bored so let's go...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Following the LOGIC of your previous DEDUCTION, I could actually make a case for Kurtis not being so bad (perhaps even better), and Marco being pitiful (or at very least focus a magnify glass on this thing we call "prototype" racing as it relates to mental attitude, which you may want to look in to buddy.

Okay I will. I guess the list I detailed failed to show mental toughness. I guess you can win a world championship and place top 5 for 3 years in a row without it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now follow the logic please, and be honest, based on this explanation, it doesn't look so reasonable to accuse Kurtis of being such a ...... rider compared to Marco after-all, eh?

My comparison was Marco/Hopkins. Do you want me to do one with Marco/Kurtis? Won't look very good. The market decided on Kurtis. No team picked him up. Cruel world eh? Actually in your view I guess he just wasn't marketable. Like somehow winning isn't marketable.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now, again, this whole thing started because I was making the case that Melandri, though very talented (and I accept this, so this was NOT part of the debate) but my point was: doesn't have the mental attitude to overcome challenges on a bike. My point was that Hopper seemed the better fit (no so much the better rider) for this particular kind of job! This is the debate my friend, but you sidetracted by trying to say Marco is just that much more talented. But as you can see, the Kurtis/Marco comparison yields a very different picture. As you ponder this, did you ever hear Hopper or Kurtis throw their hands up in anger at anytime during a very frustrating season and publicly declare they would no long try for positions in a race because their bikes were ....? How about just say declare the bike was ....? They didn't even do that. The answers to these question reveal what I'm talking about: mental attitude. On this criteria, I'd go with Hopper over Melandri. But then again, that was NEVER the question, because we all know the criteria was/is: who is more MARKETABLE.

It was rumoured that the Ducati ride was turned down by Hopkins. Maybe he didn't have the mental strength to take on the challenge. I think Hopper is talented but I don't think he is all that mentally tough. My table only listed results but they were so conclusive that no lesser details are required. Whether either complained publicly or privately well who cares? You think Hopper was full of praise for the GS? The tension between Denning and him suggests otherwise.

Marketability is why your boy Hayden primarily has his ride and don't forget it. Seems like slight hypocrisy to me. Marco is talented and takes on the project and fails so he is mentally weak but still mysteriously very marketable. Hayden, a mediocre talent, takes on the project and is eminently marketable and yet you are beside yourself with worry that he will fail. Projection of your fears of Hayden failing onto Marco in the form of anger at his failure maybe? Oh ya, I've seen Dr. Phil buddy. Well go watch Marco finish him in Turkey where Hayden didn't have the mental toughness to stick it inside him at the last corner therby losing the race. Getting that podium in Laguna was tough as hell.

It remains to be seen if he will regain his former mental toughness. I hope he does. We need guys like him that can race at the front for the good of the series. Backmarkers are a dime a dozen.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 28 2009, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You can't say that Rossi didn't cause Stoners fall and say Stoner caused Hopper/Hayden's fall. One or the other.

Are you having trouble reading the English language? I did say Rossi brake-checked Stoner (Laguna 08). What don't you understand about cause and effect? Whether its intentional or not, it still sets into motion a set of consequences. Stoner missed the apex of the hairpin (Laguna 07) causing disruption in his wake. This is why John finished 15th, NOT what you were alluding to, and that was that he finished 15th because he sucked. (Try to keep up).

So, uhm yeah, I'm having it both ways. Its called consistency in logic, something that you're obviously lacking.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>It was not at all soley Kurtis's fault he was at the back. How the bike got through tech I'll never know. US builder on US soil in front of a US crowd?

Your entire rant smacks of Schizophrenia, you might want to get that checked out while watching Dr. Phil. Here you say it was not soley Kurtis' fault, but below you declare it was his fault. Get some help!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>To be clear I was calling Kurtis "where the .... on the track am I" because he was on the racing line and the accident was his fault because of it. That can't be construed as me thinking he was in general a ...... rider I was just commenting on that situation.

Roger, I don't know why I didn't see it earlier, but you nailed it man. This guy is all those things you called him....perhaps a bit more.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>You think Hopper was full of praise for the GS? The tension between Denning and him suggests otherwise.

Well gfan, you're the one obsessed with Suzuki, so you would know its not that great of a machine. So not giving praise is honest, but the point here is, its a world different than bad mouthing publicly and declaring you're not gonna try anymore. I'm thinking you can't tell the difference, and here the difference is not that subtle. I suspect the "tension" came from private conversation of John telling Denning, get the bike together, Denning, loving the statis quo didn't give him any assurances. So John left. Quite different than publicly airing out your laundry then throwing in the towel (at least in words).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Marketability is why your boy Hayden primarily has his ride and don't forget it. Seems like slight hypocrisy to me. Marco is talented and takes on the project and fails so he is mentally weak but still mysteriously very marketable. Hayden, a mediocre talent, takes on the project and is eminently marketable and yet you are beside yourself with worry that he will fail. Projection of your fears of Hayden failing onto Marco in the form of anger at his failure maybe? Oh ya, I've seenDr. Phil buddy. Well go watch Marco finish him in Turkey where Hayden didn't have the mental toughness to stick it inside him at the last corner therby losing the race.

Interesting. So Hayden wins a title in the big leagues, then he is picked up by Ducati and this was gifted because of "marketability"? (As you say, he was picked up even though he is "mediocre". Uhm, then you say winning is marketable? Wait, wait, you're doing it again, get your split personalities in order man. So is Hayden there because he won a world championship or is he there because he is marketable? (See how stupid you sound?)

There is no "mystery" about Marco's marketability. He is from a place that values motorcycle racing, who like Hopper, hasn't won a premiere world title. Both about the same in talent, Marco having the benefit of a better Honda at the time; but you of course point to results without factoring in the nature of the series. (Again, very elementary analysis).

Oh, and as far as Turkey, Marco won the race, Hayden won the title, uhm... (ah forget it, I may just waste more time trying to explain the difference).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>It remains to be seen if he will regain his former mental toughness. I hope he does. We need guys like him that can race at the front for the good of the series. Backmarkers are a dime a dozen.

Do you see what you did here? You just conceded that Marco's "mental toughness" may return ("will regain"). So then you agree with me that it has been lacking (why else would you say it remain seen if it will "regain" if its not lost somewhere?) Yet most of your rant was trying to convince me otherwise. That pretty crazy! Anyway, next time you're watching Dr. Phil, feel free to call in, they have a number they put up at the end of the show for people who want to be on the show. You may want to get that Schizophrenia checked out.


Roger, you were right.

Turn one is very late apex so that is that. Where did Rog call me stuff? I don't see it. Rog savages everyone so you can hardly take his critique seriously. Anyway, suprisingly John left after his best year at Suzuki which is weird. Something he will never repeat. Complain about the best bike you have ever ridden then leave for a POS. Madness. Sitting on the couch watching Capper in top three. Oh the things that could have been...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well gsfan, you're the one obsessed with Suzuki, so you would know its not that great of a machine. So not giving praise is honest, but the point here is, its a world different than bad mouthing publicly and declaring you're not gonna try anymore

Blah blah blah...on track matters. Hey I admit this, I stooped on the Hayden mediocre stuff just to piss you off. I thought is was funny, still do ha ha. He is better than Hopper but marketability was the main factor for his signing. They have Stoner and hence the title in the bag barring any health issues and Hayden for the US market. As long as he is top ten Ducati will be happy.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Feb 28 2009, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There is no "mystery" about Marco's marketability. He is from a place that values motorcycle racing, who like Hopper, hasn't won a premiere world title. Both about the same in talent, Marco having the benefit of a better Honda at the time; but you of course point to results without factoring in the nature of the series. (Again, very elementary analysis).

Dude. You are delusional one. Marco won 250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP which is as hard to win or harder than MotoGP. Not a local title on cow paths they call tracks in the US. Same in talent by what standard? Name me one time that Hopper raced mano a mano with Rossi as a threat. And the title was won for consistency which no argument Hayden had in spades but we aren't talking Hayden/Marco comparo time are we? I can't do that much homework. For sure I concede that Marco's toughness has waned during his unfortunate trial at Ducati. He lost it. I think it will come back. So I am obviously agreeing that he took a big hit. How he dealt with it is his problem I don't read his blog and don't care to. I complain about far less important stuff and don't expect anyone to listen I just have to vent. My rant is to try to show you his potential is the greatest of the two and he was rightfully given the nod. You are wrong IMO on every count that hopper is better. I still laugh thinking about your mad defense of Kurtis Roberts.

Be happy gfan. Spies just won!


(Oh wait, he doesn't race for Suzuki anymore...ooops)


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Feb 28 2009, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not a local title on cow paths they call tracks in the US.
I'll admit, this part had me laughing. Hey, we make good roadracer out of dirt trackers!

I am happy. Max took a second and the testing is going well. Melandri is showing some steel. I expect he will have a hell of a hard year. Hayden is coming along...a month to go.

MCN Exclusive: Marco Melandri agrees to race Hayate in 2009
By Matthew Birt


06 March 2009 16:45


Marco Melandri has decided today (Friday) to race a re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal.

The Italian has decided to continue riding for the new Hayate team after he tested the ZX-RR during the night test in Qatar earlier this week.

Although the former world 250GP champion finished 17th and slowest at the Losail International Circuit, his manager Alberto Vergani confirmed to MCN that Melandri had informed Hayate management of his intention to compete in 2009. He finished 3.107s slower than Casey Stoner in Doha.

Melandri had initially refused to commit to the project until he had tested the new 2009 ZX-RR in Qatar and assessed its performance potential.

Many expected Melandri to sign regardless, given his apparent reluctance to sit out this season and try and find a ride in 2010, even though his contract will be renegotiated at a significantly reduced rate.

His prime concern had been a lack of development on the bike during the season, with Kawasaki only committing to the maintenance of engines and production of existing rather than new parts.

Melandri, who has signed a contract to race a factory Kawasaki with American John Hopkins in 2009, will now renegotiate his contract with Hayate in the next few days.

Vergani told MCN: "Marco will race on. He has decided today that he will go on. He tested the bike in Qatar and he said the new bike was not so bad. If they can solve a problem with rear grip then he believes he can be reasonably competitive."

Vergani said Melandri had decided not to go into self-imposed exile to enhance his chances of finding a place in the premier class again in 2010.

"He decided to race because he felt staying out of the championship for just one year was too hard. Even though the bike might not be at the highest level, for him it was best to carry on and at least try rather just sit at home.

He spent a couple of days thinking about it after Qatar, and nothing is signed yet but he will carry on.

There is no alternative, so he has to try, "said Vergani.
Vergani also added that Melandri was under no illusions about how tough 2009 will be, particularly with Kawasaki not developing the bike during the season.

"He is aware of the situation. He knows he has to suffer a little bit. It will be a tough, tough season, but you never know. There was some encouragement in Qatar so maybe he can surprise in some races. He said the bike is better than 2008. "said Vergani Former Kawasaki Technical Director Ichiro Yoda is running the Hayate team.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Mar 7 2009, 03:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>MCN Exclusive: Marco Melandri agrees to race Hayate in 2009
By Matthew Birt


06 March 2009 16:45


Marco Melandri has decided today (Friday) to race a re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal.

The Italian has decided to continue riding for the new Hayate team after he tested the ZX-RR during the night test in Qatar earlier this week.

Although the former world 250GP champion finished 17th and slowest at the Losail International Circuit, his manager Alberto Vergani confirmed to MCN that Melandri had informed Hayate management of his intention to compete in 2009. He finished 3.107s slower than Casey Stoner in Doha.

Melandri had initially refused to commit to the project until he had tested the new 2009 ZX-RR in Qatar and assessed its performance potential.

Many expected Melandri to sign regardless, given his apparent reluctance to sit out this season and try and find a ride in 2010, even though his contract will be renegotiated at a significantly reduced rate.

His prime concern had been a lack of development on the bike during the season, with Kawasaki only committing to the maintenance of engines and production of existing rather than new parts.

Melandri, who has signed a contract to race a factory Kawasaki with American John Hopkins in 2009, will now renegotiate his contract with Hayate in the next few days.

Vergani told MCN: "Marco will race on. He has decided today that he will go on. He tested the bike in Qatar and he said the new bike was not so bad. If they can solve a problem with rear grip then he believes he can be reasonably competitive."

Vergani said Melandri had decided not to go into self-imposed exile to enhance his chances of finding a place in the premier class again in 2010.

"He decided to race because he felt staying out of the championship for just one year was too hard. Even though the bike might not be at the highest level, for him it was best to carry on and at least try rather just sit at home.

He spent a couple of days thinking about it after Qatar, and nothing is signed yet but he will carry on.

There is no alternative, so he has to try, "said Vergani.
Vergani also added that Melandri was under no illusions about how tough 2009 will be, particularly with Kawasaki not developing the bike during the season.

"He is aware of the situation. He knows he has to suffer a little bit. It will be a tough, tough season, but you never know. There was some encouragement in Qatar so maybe he can surprise in some races. He said the bike is better than 2008. "said Vergani Former Kawasaki Technical Director Ichiro Yoda is running the Hayate team.
At least we now know who is coming last every other week.

Toseland?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Mar 8 2009, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Toseland?