Rossi & the Valencia test

It would make for quite an exciting spectacle at valencia if Stoner rode the HRC Vale rides the Ducati and spies gets to ride the fiat yam.



Ducati sight just says VAle will ride for them in 2011.



http://www.ducati.com/racing/motogp/index.do

Jarvis





Speaking about the departure of Rossi who will join Ducati, Jarvis said: “It was a sad day (Sunday) because even though we have known about his decision for some weeks when you make the public announcement it becomes a fact.”



Jarvis was speaking at the official MotoGP test at Brno on Monday where Rossi tested a new Yamaha engine upgrade, and in a separate interview the Italian rider said he hoped to be able to ride the Ducati for the first time at the end-of-season Valencia test.



Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer of Engineering Operations at Yamaha, indicated however that this was unlikely due to contractual agreements.









Attention has already turned to the end-of-season test at Valencia in November where Rossi hopes to test the Ducati Desmosedici for the first time, but a decision on whether he will be able to due to contractual commitments is yet to be made.



Vale





“If Yamaha say no I’ll be very upset and sad,” said the 31 year-old. “Only Honda have said no to me in the past and that relationship was very different to the one between me and Yamaha. If I can’t do it then I don’t understand the relationship between me and Yamaha!”

I'm trying to remember, but Honda also made Nicky wait till the following year before allowing him to ride the Ducati? If Yamaha make Val wait it's the smart move on their part but the loyal Rossi fans will be very vocal. Doesn't matter really if Burgess moves or isnt' under any contract to stay with Yamaha until the end of the year. If JB does in fact go with Rossi and starts working with Ducati right away, by the time Rossi is able to ride the bike he will be up to speed....same as happened when Rossi went to Yamaha.

Honda allowed Nicky to ride the Ducati in Valencia straight away. It was essentially his thank you gift for having to put up with Biaggi and Pedrosa as teammates.

With such little testing time in GP, Yamaha should allow him to test Ducati. He's done well for the Japanese brand and don't see why they would be reluctant. Honda wasn't so kind, but then again, things had changed by the time he exited.



He's got his work cut out at Ducati. But I'm sure they will be willing to move heaven & earth...as all manufactures should do for all their factory riders.

Hey Jumkie,



Are you happy to see Rossi at Ducati or would you prefer him to stay put? I'm only singling you out as you are a big Hayden fan (or was that Pedrosa now).

I will be in Valencia in November, Staying one extra day to see the test.

Hope to see all the riders with their new rides.

Austin said:

Honda allowed Nicky to ride the Ducati in Valencia straight away. It was essentially his thank you gift for having to put up with Biaggi and Pedrosa as teammates.

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I don't think it was enough.

Nicky was just the AMA superbike champ but was given the chance to join the Repsol team straightway with the support from American Honda. There was the talks that he would have joined Yamaha if he had not got the repsol ride. But then, he still won the worldchamp with them, so I think it was good choice. I see that there was no justification for their treatment to him after Dani joined.. but still I do not think Honda was such bad place for Nicky.



As for Rossi`s Valencia test, Ducati will allow Stoner to test at Valencia because Honda released Nicky right after Valencia. But, I do not think Yamaha will allow him to test. His salary is huge. I do not think Furusawa can alone make a decision as to change the term of the contract as such huge money gets involved. If he is released early, he may start wearing Ducati T-shirts and starts promoting them right away when he stills get paid under Yamaha.

moto3 said:

As for Rossi`s Valencia test, Ducati will allow Stoner to test at Valencia because Honda released Nicky right after Valencia. But, I do not think Yamaha will allow him to test. His salary is huge. I do not think Furusawa can alone make a decision as to change the term of the contract as such huge money gets involved. If he is released early, he may start wearing Ducati T-shirts and starts promoting them right away when he stills get paid under Yamaha.

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It's not so much about releasing him from his contract as it is about allowing him to ride for another manufacturer. When riders are allowed to test for their new teams, they are not released from their contracts. That's why Hayden, as an example, tested in white leathers and a stars and stripes themed Ducati at his first test. It didn't say Ducati anywhere on his leathers or on the bike he was riding, just personal sponsorship as he was still under contract with Honda until the end of the calendar year.



That's why Rossi fully expects to be allowed to ride the Ducati, he would not be breaking any contractual agreements with regards to sponsors as he'd be riding a blacked out bike. If Yamaha don't allow him to ride the Duc at Valencia, it's solely because of their fear of his talent and sour grapes.

Noyes wrote this article a couple weeks ago speculating that Ducati's CEO cycleworld blunder may have cost Rossi his test.



http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-rossis-first-ducati-test-in-doubt/

I've been wondering if Colin Edwards possible move to Ducati WSB may in part be to help Rossi with the GP11. Colin has said he wants to move over to win and you have to think Ducati is a good place for that. It might be the best bike next year when they are allowed some improvements. Based on that alone it would seem a good fit for Colin but I wonder if Ducati would throw him some extra cash for his motogp setup abilities and his knowledge of Valentino's preferences. I can't think of a better test rider than a guy who has had the job in the past and would be switching from the same bike at the same time. If Colin wanted to put in extra time testing the GP11 it could be a huge help to Rossi and Ducati.

The best chance for Yamaha to prove they are no Honda is gone with this move. It just shows the factory has an never-seen-before ugly side. They were humble in 2004 because they were perhaps not winning, and were overly enthused just having signed Rossi, making it look like they were a factory listening to the rider, while in reality they could not help do anything else but listen!



Agreed that Lorenzo has been brilliant this entire year, and agree that the Rossi-Yamaha split was imminent since Rossi's injury, and they had to go with Lorenzo.. but, not letting Rossi test the Ducati due to an overly enthusiastic CEO's mistake is too big a punishment for the rider in question. Had the rider been lesser-talented, and had the CEO even been more blatantly loose-tongued in announcing the deal, I still doubt Yamaha would've imposed a ban.. it is simply insecurity surfacing - typical signs when business simply chooses to owe talent nothing when it comes to staying in the game..

IF, Lorenzo was not already signed when the statement was made, it killed their [Yamaha] negotiating position, and greatly enhanced Jorge's.

Yamaha knew very well that Rossi was moving to Ducati at least two months ago (as Jorge did, and all of us) -- only they knew better, because Valentino personally told Furusawa about his intentions well in advance.



Now, if really -- as some, Yamaha brass included, seem to think -- Rossi is old and Lorenzo is the new, real deal, why forbid Vale to test the lame Duck?

Let him do all the tests he wants, he'll always be beaten by mighty Lorenzo on the unsurpassable Yam, right?

But if instead they forbid him, that would betray a certain preoccupation, wouldn't it.



So I think they will allow him to test, after all.

Sarita said:

The best chance for Yamaha to prove they are no Honda is gone with this move. It just shows the factory has an never-seen-before ugly side. They were humble in 2004 because they were perhaps not winning, and were overly enthused just having signed Rossi, making it look like they were a factory listening to the rider, while in reality they could not help do anything else but listen!



Agreed that Lorenzo has been brilliant this entire year, and agree that the Rossi-Yamaha split was imminent since Rossi's injury, and they had to go with Lorenzo.. but, not letting Rossi test the Ducati due to an overly enthusiastic CEO's mistake is too big a punishment for the rider in question. Had the rider been lesser-talented, and had the CEO even been more blatantly loose-tongued in announcing the deal, I still doubt Yamaha would've imposed a ban.. it is simply insecurity surfacing - typical signs when business simply chooses to owe talent nothing when it comes to staying in the game..

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With all due respect, (as you are not alone in this sentiment that Yamaha is protecting their investments) but are you perhaps forgetting this is a competition and not some highschool break-up? Rossi is becoming the competition now, and it would benefit Yamaha to keep him at bay as long as possible, otherwise, their move to keep Lorenzo looses value. Rossi is not being booted out, as they made him a fair offer, there are two sides to every story, though it seems for some Rossi fans its always just one sided. Put yourself in the very high stakes pressure packed shoes of Yamaha, and ask yourself, what is in your best interest? I'm sure its not all about the lack of professionalism that was shown by the Ducati CEO to ejaculate prematurely, as this was only reported as a possible repercussion by some journalist that it would have some effect on whether or not Rossi would be allowed to test the Duc at season end. Let me ask you this, did Rossi accept the terms of his contract? Did he cash the checks? So now why are people having a fit if Yamaha asks him to honor that contract? I suppose you might tell me that Yamaha has benefited greatly from Rossi, but is the reverse not also true? Did not Yamaha invest and develop and produce a winning combination to support Rossi's talent? Who usually gets the credit for the titles? Certainly not Yamaha, yet they are the one providing the package.



This same logic goes for those who are unhappy that Rossi was not allowed to test the new bike. Really, its not even debatable, its silly actually to give the reasons why this makes sense, so I've stayed away from arguing it. But please, the 2011 bike is the manufacture's next weapon to compete, and people want the rival to get a look at it? In what world does this make sense?



And lastly, this idea that Rossi is not being properly supported now that his contract choice is "official", even to the point of one suggesting his bike is actually a Tech3 spec bike in disguise (hahahaha, geez, how ridiculous). My take is, he (Rossi) should be given the best chance to compete, but in the world of championships, the reality is Lorenzo is the focus, as he should. What Rossi fan here would have endorsed the idea that Lorenzo should have burned up resources last year while Rossi was in the hunt for the title? Its a very tricky balancing act for Yamaha, but I think they have and will continue to support Rossi enough to allow him to compete for wins, as Lorenzo's points are not in jeopardy. That a certain sector of Rossi fans think otherwise (when he doesn't win may be quick to place the blame on Yamaha rather than the man) is another story. Oddly enough, I've been hearing for many years now how he can ride around problems...I guess it only applies conveniently. Kinda reminds me of when this "mundalito" will start, like perhaps once he wins, conveniently (as if true fans of the sport need some alternate reason to maintain interest in MotoGP). But if he doesn't win another race this season, well that type of fan has already found his excuse/rationalization--"ugly Yamaha". Sadly, this type of fan (and Sarita, I'm NOT talking about you here, simply your post was a good springboard, as your post echos some of the sentiment of a certain type of fan that I've become accustomed to debate) and continues to do Rossi a disservice, especially for those of us who admire the sport and the best riders such as Rossi.

Jumkie said:

And lastly, this idea that Rossi is not being properly supported now that his contract choice is "official", even to the point of one suggesting his bike is actually a Tech3 spec bike in disguise (hahahaha, geez, how ridiculous).

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How would they even get the chance to do that? All of Rossi's side of the garage have been with him since Honda, it just wouldn't happen.

J4rn0 said:

Yamaha knew very well that Rossi was moving to Ducati at least two months ago (as Jorge did, and all of us) -- only they knew better, because Valentino personally told Furusawa about his intentions well in advance.



Now, if really -- as some, Yamaha brass included, seem to think -- Rossi is old and Lorenzo is the new, real deal, why forbid Vale to test the lame Duck?

Let him do all the tests he wants, he'll always be beaten by mighty Lorenzo on the unsurpassable Yam, right?

But if instead they forbid him, that would betray a certain preoccupation, wouldn't it.



So I think they will allow him to test, after all.

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As to your first point, so everybody knew two months ago? I'd say Rossi was probably using this Ducati talk as a negotiation tactic, and somewhere in the talks, as both sides were not getting what they wanted, it started to become a viable opportunity to move to Ducati. I even doubted he would make the move, but now that its really official, I'm excited and intrigued. Who knows when it really became official, but I doubt you know.



Most of my reply to Sarita applies to you. But I have additional questions: to whom is your attempt to use reverser psychology? We are talking about powerful men with high pressure jobs making critical decisions effecting millions of dollars and impacting many lives. Where did you get this idea that some Yamaha brass think Rossi may be too old? Are you simply projecting a reason what might be their thinking in attempt to make your own point to the casual and gullible reader? What they offered Rossi would still make him the highest paid rider in the paddock, would it not? So why all of a sudden is Yamaha the focus of certain Rossi fan's ire?



Yamaha owe him to honor their contract with him, that means giving him competitive machinery until the end of the season. He kept his end of the bargain by coming back from injury, and Yahama should and will and are (unless Babelfish tells us otherwise) honor their bargain by keeping him on a 2010 factory spec bike.



Should Yamaha let him test the 2011 Ducati at season end? This is debatable, as far as the contract goes, Yamaha doesn't have to; otherwise, it might have been a point to write it into the contract that when ties were severed it would be done with such stipulations. And for the record, I think Yamaha will let him test the Duc at season end. As I think there is no bad blood. But if for some reason they didn't, you and others should not be damning Yamaha, as it takes two to agree to a contract. They (Yamaha) should NOT be pressured into doing so, as this is not in keeping with good faith. This should happen from Yamaha's free will and NOT some public pressure by his fans or the rider himself.

Goatboy said:

How would they even get the chance to do that? All of Rossi's side of the garage have been with him since Honda, it just wouldn't happen.

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Magic...I guess.