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[MigsAngel]

Jack Miller will probably be gone from Ducati at the end of 2022. Unless he sets the world on fire next year, I can't see them keeping him beyond then because Jorge Martin is coming on fast. Him and Bagnaia I think would be Ducati's preferred lineup in the near future.

There will probably be an open seat at HRC by end of 2022, so Jack might have options there...

 

[MdubSTYLIE]

There will probably be an open seat at HRC by end of 2022, so Jack might have options there...

Maybe. There seems to be a lot of talent coming up through the ranks right now. Roberts, Oncu, Acosta. Might be a little early for Oncu and Acosta but if Roberts can have a good season next year who knows.

 

[michaelm]

Maybe. There seems to be a lot of talent coming up through the ranks right now. Roberts, Oncu, Acosta. Might be a little early for Oncu and Acosta but if Roberts can have a good season next year who knows.

It has been reported they might have interest in Gardner as well. They still love his dad.

 

[p4p1]

I think their best option was a rider they already had. Dovi. They threw him out for probably the second best option at the time. Typical ducati making rash moves when they don't need to. They had Jack already, they had a rider that was out preforming him and tossed him aside. Thats what they do. Jack will need to start preforming or he will most definitely lose his seat to Martin.

I didn't see it as such a bad move if I am honest. It was clear that Dovi wasn't going to win them a world title so they needed to try and find someone who might. Dovi's failure last year was IMO more proof they made the right call.

 

[p4p1]

100% agree with all of this. JLo is the epitome of a rider to build a bike around. Dovi not being far off which is probably why the ducati is the bike it is right now. Honda needs a JLo or Dovi asap. That bike reminds me of the ducati of old. The front is so inconsistent because it doesn't have a rider who's data they can depend on. They need Dovi more than anyone else. Even if it is just as a test rider. Pedrosa is another excellent tester look at where the ktm is now and look at the honda since they lost him.

I figured that one of the main reasons for signing Lorenzo other than removing the biggest likely issue to Marquez's domination was that he was someone whos input and experience could help develop the bike in a more rideable direction. Obviously that didn't work out and how much his lingering injuries from Ducati contributed to that, I'm not sure.

Whether HRC would listen to an excellent development rider or not is a whole different thing and their track record suggests they probably wouldn't.

 

[Gaz]

I think their best option was a rider they already had. Dovi. They threw him out for probably the second best option at the time. Typical ducati making rash moves when they don't need to. They had Jack already, they had a rider that was out preforming him and tossed him aside. Thats what they do. Jack will need to start preforming or he will most definitely lose his seat to Martin.

Understandable but to me (and I type this with my perception of Ducati) Dovi had chances, opportunity but never took that next step that Ducati are desperate to attain. Ducati strike me as desperate for another title, perhaps moreso even that some other manufacturers as they desperately need recognition that they can build race bikes capable of winning, and not that some freak of nature got them their title.

Well that and to me, Dovi is not the guy to win a title and perhaps even not develop. Lets not forget that his race win record went through the roof on arrival of Gabbarini and Lorenzo in 2017 (2 MotoGP wins prior, then 6 in 2017 with 4 in 2018). Plus I suspect that Dovi got a little big for his boots and tried to play the bluff game for more dollars only Ducati went, no problems, there is the door and we will sign these guys for less.

 

[Gaz]

Jack Miller will probably be gone from Ducati at the end of 2022. Unless he sets the world on fire next year, I can't see them keeping him beyond then because Jorge Martin is coming on fast. Him and Bagnaia I think would be Ducati's preferred lineup in the near future.

IMO, he needs to win it to keep the gig.

They may keep him if he is top 2 but I suspect no win, no ride

And I type that with full bias

 

[MigsAngel]

Maybe. There seems to be a lot of talent coming up through the ranks right now. Roberts, Oncu, Acosta. Might be a little early for Oncu and Acosta but if Roberts can have a good season next year who knows.

Acosta for sure could get the nod for a possible ride with HRC, but given the issue they have with the bike and HRC seeming sole focus on MM....you'd have to think the Yamaha is still be best option for him to consider.....OR maybe Suzuki....surely Rins is going to have to show something soon for Suzuki to keep him longer term....

Roberts - 4 full seasons in Moto 2 and only 1 podium, and DNF from last 3 races - I don't think he's on a top MotoGP ride radar at all, he'd have to win the Moto2 title in 2022 or come to a team with a lot of sponsor back up....American pipe dream this one....

 

[MigsAngel]

Whether HRC would listen to an excellent development rider or not is a whole different thing and their track record suggests they probably wouldn't.

Dani is proof HRC don't listen to an excellent development rider...

 

[MdubSTYLIE]

I didn't see it as such a bad move if I am honest. It was clear that Dovi wasn't going to win them a world title so they needed to try and find someone who might. Dovi's failure last year was IMO more proof they made the right call.

Understandable but to me (and I type this with my perception of Ducati) Dovi had chances, opportunity but never took that next step that Ducati are desperate to attain. Ducati strike me as desperate for another title, perhaps moreso even that some other manufacturers as they desperately need recognition that they can build race bikes capable of winning, and not that some freak of nature got them their title.

Well that and to me, Dovi is not the guy to win a title and perhaps even not develop. Lets not forget that his race win record went through the roof on arrival of Gabbarini and Lorenzo in 2017 (2 MotoGP wins prior, then 6 in 2017 with 4 in 2018). Plus I suspect that Dovi got a little big for his boots and tried to play the bluff game for more dollars only Ducati went, no problems, there is the door and we will sign these guys for less.

I think you both have good points. Last year sealed Dovis fate but his decline and desire to race really deteriorated after the signing of Jack. I don't think Jack is out preforming what Dovi is capable of. Also this year seems to be the kind of year Dovi could have had lots of success. The duc rides have been hit or miss this year each race. The fantastic 4 are cycling good results and Dovi, Mr. consistency, had a good chance of being in the hunt again this season IMO.

 

[MdubSTYLIE]

Acosta for sure could get the nod for a possible ride with HRC, but given the issue they have with the bike and HRC seeming sole focus on MM....you'd have to think the Yamaha is still be best option for him to consider.....OR maybe Suzuki....surely Rins is going to have to show something soon for Suzuki to keep him longer term....

Roberts - 4 full seasons in Moto 2 and only 1 podium, and DNF from last 3 races - I don't think he's on a top MotoGP ride radar at all, he'd have to win the Moto2 title in 2022 or come to a team with a lot of sponsor back up....American pipe dream this one....

I think give it another year if Marc doesnt regain his ways HRC will be looking for a new #1. I really hope he finds his magic again. If he doesn't I don't think he will stick around much longer.

 

[Gaz]

I think you both have good points. Last year sealed Dovis fate but his decline and desire to race really deteriorated after the signing of Jack. I don't think Jack is out preforming what Dovi is capable of. Also this year seems to be the kind of year Dovi could have had lots of success. The duc rides have been hit or miss this year each race. The fantastic 4 are cycling good results and Dovi, Mr. consistency, had a good chance of being in the hunt again this season IMO.

I personally don't think there was any better chance for Dovi (assuming he is the rider many suggest) to win the title than 2020.

Marquez was out and Dovi was the expected one but he did not step up, others did.

Let us not forget that after Petrucci won in Italy (?) it was reported that Petrucci had made a statement that he would now assist Dovi to beat Marquez for the title, which many people attributed to team orders following a Dovi meltdown after being beaten by his team-mate, not unlike the Dovi meltdowns of the Lorenzo era.

All of that was 2019 and then 2020 and again Dovi simply did not deliver plus he was now 34 years old and few riders maintain their ability to compete as they get older, many have the mind but not the body/ability.

I would agree that Jack at 26 is not performing like a 33 year old Dovi would but this year Jack has won more races than Dovi did in 2020 (Dovi won 1) and matched the number Dovi won in 2019. Jack also has more podium finishes this year (3) than Dovi did the entire 2020 season (2), so perhaps they are not that far apart.

I mean, if we dont consider Miller good enough for a factory ride after 1 season, then it is clear why Dovi was dropped if we compare the numbers.

Total truth is the numbers surprised me when I just checked them - I did not realise how poor Dovi's 2020 season actually was

 

[MdubSTYLIE]

I personally don't think there was any better chance for Dovi (assuming he is the rider many suggest) to win the title than 2020.

Marquez was out and Dovi was the expected one but he did not step up, others did.

Let us not forget that after Petrucci won in Italy (?) it was reported that Petrucci had made a statement that he would now assist Dovi to beat Marquez for the title, which many people attributed to team orders following a Dovi meltdown after being beaten by his team-mate, not unlike the Dovi meltdowns of the Lorenzo era.

All of that was 2019 and then 2020 and again Dovi simply did not deliver plus he was now 34 years old and few riders maintain their ability to compete as they get older, many have the mind but not the body/ability.

I would agree that Jack at 26 is not performing like a 33 year old Dovi would but this year Jack has won more races than Dovi did in 2020 (Dovi won 1) and matched the number Dovi won in 2019. Jack also has more podium finishes this year (3) than Dovi did the entire 2020 season (2), so perhaps they are not that far apart.

I mean, if we dont consider Miller good enough for a factory ride after 1 season, then it is clear why Dovi was dropped if we compare the numbers.

Total truth is the numbers surprised me when I just checked them - I did not realise how poor Dovi's 2020 season actually was

Yea he had a terrible 2020 season. Probably the worst of his career but he still to me was the best option. Out of the 4 riders Miller is 3rd in points and the rider in 4th missed 3 races and has preformed outstanding. Martin is outstanding for a rookie. I'd put my eggs in that basket. Hindsight tells me Jack should have stayed where he was. But with that said they have a super team right now.