Joined Jun 2007
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UK
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ok, that's an interesting way of looking at it... You say Marco had a "pretty good set up at Gresini"? Uhm, are you aware he achieved 3 podiums all year and zero wins?
Marco was not the only 'top' Honda rider to acheive these sorts of stats last year on a very similar bike non-evolved bike, and yet he still end up 5th overall...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not exactly a "pretty good set up" in my opinion; especially when you consider his highly touted ability and form status as a lower class world champion. Marco left a team where he was extremely unhappy (even to the point of announcing publicly to the world that he would not vie (compete) for "meaningless positions".) Not to mention that Honda wasn't and may not be in the position to develop a satellite team or provide a better engine because they are preoccupied trying to develop the factory effort.
You may be right. However, the factory development effort will be based around Dani, and what he wants (inspite of all of Nicky good hard work). Dani so far has prefered the 2007 evolution engine over the Pnuematic one. Satelite development could or would be more straight forward for HRC if they stick with the Dani preference. You know as well as anyone, HRC like to dominate, not just have 1 guy wining, but a podium full of hondas. JiR Team Scot will very much be in the HRC development plan, like it or not Dovi is the second HRC golden child, and Dovi will be treated right by HRC. Gresini may not be as favoured as JiR, and so you could be very right about their developement or upgrades woes to come in 2008. Eitherway, I agree that Marco was miserable and very public about it last year at Gresini, but I thought his anger and discontent was always toward HRC and not Gresini.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And where did Marco go? Oh yeah,--to the current and reining championship team and package (call me crazy, but that doesn't sound so bad).
Marco has apparently been talking about how the Ducati 'package' is too aggressive for him. One of the things Rossi had said when Marco left Yamaha was that the Honda was going to suit Marco's riding style better since it was not as agressive as the Yamaha was at the time. I really think Marco is going to have a worse season in 2008 than he did in 2007. Good luck to him though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As far as Loris. He struggles all year yet still managed to pull off a win after a stellar previous season (not counting the injuries he sustained in Spain). He is now on a team that is getting better but still has a ways to go to be counted among the top Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha teams. That doesn’t sound exactly like something to be jumping for joy about, now does it?
Suzuki is on the up and Loris will contribute no doubt, but he was shafted by Ducati and he was or is angry about it....so if Marco struggles then I still think it make Loris laugh, especially if Loris can out perform Marco....but given today's lap times you may be right and Loris may not be laughing at all.
Marco was not the only 'top' Honda rider to acheive these sorts of stats last year on a very similar bike non-evolved bike, and yet he still end up 5th overall...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not exactly a "pretty good set up" in my opinion; especially when you consider his highly touted ability and form status as a lower class world champion. Marco left a team where he was extremely unhappy (even to the point of announcing publicly to the world that he would not vie (compete) for "meaningless positions".) Not to mention that Honda wasn't and may not be in the position to develop a satellite team or provide a better engine because they are preoccupied trying to develop the factory effort.
You may be right. However, the factory development effort will be based around Dani, and what he wants (inspite of all of Nicky good hard work). Dani so far has prefered the 2007 evolution engine over the Pnuematic one. Satelite development could or would be more straight forward for HRC if they stick with the Dani preference. You know as well as anyone, HRC like to dominate, not just have 1 guy wining, but a podium full of hondas. JiR Team Scot will very much be in the HRC development plan, like it or not Dovi is the second HRC golden child, and Dovi will be treated right by HRC. Gresini may not be as favoured as JiR, and so you could be very right about their developement or upgrades woes to come in 2008. Eitherway, I agree that Marco was miserable and very public about it last year at Gresini, but I thought his anger and discontent was always toward HRC and not Gresini.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And where did Marco go? Oh yeah,--to the current and reining championship team and package (call me crazy, but that doesn't sound so bad).
Marco has apparently been talking about how the Ducati 'package' is too aggressive for him. One of the things Rossi had said when Marco left Yamaha was that the Honda was going to suit Marco's riding style better since it was not as agressive as the Yamaha was at the time. I really think Marco is going to have a worse season in 2008 than he did in 2007. Good luck to him though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jan 31 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As far as Loris. He struggles all year yet still managed to pull off a win after a stellar previous season (not counting the injuries he sustained in Spain). He is now on a team that is getting better but still has a ways to go to be counted among the top Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha teams. That doesn’t sound exactly like something to be jumping for joy about, now does it?
Suzuki is on the up and Loris will contribute no doubt, but he was shafted by Ducati and he was or is angry about it....so if Marco struggles then I still think it make Loris laugh, especially if Loris can out perform Marco....but given today's lap times you may be right and Loris may not be laughing at all.
