That quite hasn't been the logic by the factories though, has it? In 07, HRC developed around the newest factory rider, the one that had not recently won the championship. In 2010, the Italian factory again went with their newest rider, moving heaven and earth. Why are you so sure they would go with your logic in 2013? I think Nicky was resigned because of circumstance, not because they appreciated his services. They were willing to boot Nicky while they waited for VR's superagent to broker deals. I mean, how could Ducati know right, as the meetings with Yamaha were behind their backs and all. Once Spies declared he was gone, the cat was out of the bag, as it became rather clear that space was being made for VR's return.
