Joined Oct 2008
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In Cider
I don't recall the changes Ducati made in 2011 prior to introducing the aluminum frame in late season. However, I'm relatively certain the GP10 was a carbon frame because I remember Casey's gamesmanship after Rossi knocked him off at Jerez. Casey claimed the carbon fiber frame is not Ducati's problem, and he followed that claim with one of his more famous remarks, claiming that if he had remained with Ducati, the revised carbon fiber GP10 was good enough that he could have won every race in 2011.
Obviously, Casey was giving Rossi the wind up, but he was using the carbon frame as his weapon of choice. If Ducati had already abandoned the carbon frame prior to Casey's departure, it wouldn't have been an effective way to taunt Valentino.
You're right. My memory was hazy but upon looking closer the GP9-11 were Carbon chassis. The GP11.2 was their first attempt and the aluminium twin spar, then the GP12 was a full on twin spar chassis.
The change in my memory was confirmed to be the screamer to big-bang. GP9 was a screamer, GP10 was big-bang