Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Dovi was showing great promise when he was riding for Repsol. Several folks here (no names) were constantly speculating that Honda was holding him back because he was frequently threatening Pedrosa's points standing by riding as well or better than Dani. Folks were saying that Repsol were dialing down his power in order to keep the Spanish rider higher in the points standing. When Dani was out having surgery, it was noted by the same folks, that Dovi was noticeably faster and many agreed that Honda had unshackled the power on his bike so that he (in Dani's absence) would be able to score as many points as possible towards the constructor's championship. Dovi was kicking ... and Honda promised Dovi a totally full-factory bike for the following season, but before the season was over Honda was trying to reneg on the contract. It was a huge blow to Dovi who rode his heart out that year. Subsequently - he ended up wasting a shitload of time being a parts donkey at Ducati while the ...-hat engineers flailed away making useless changes. He lost several of his prime years as a rider on the ....... Ducati. I was surprised at how well he seemed to take it. But I think over time, the whole thing kind of killed his self-confidence and sense of esteem, both of which are really essential to being competitive. I would argue against statements saying that he was not first class as a racer. Luck and ...... ethics at Honda just worked against him. And now, it's pretty apparent that Ducati are focusing their energies on the younger riders, which has to be really discouraging.
A number of the same folks who were outraged at Dovi's treatment (who were saying he had it over Dani) are the same ones now bad-mouthing him. JPS is not one of them. He wasn't around then.
Last edited:
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
Solid input. I get what you're saying. However, I was just simply observing how he has the potential to be strong considering how well he was in the beginning of the 2015 season.
Same as Pedrosa, he picked up toward the end of the 2015 season...so it's puzzling how he isn't as strong in testing.
Of course, this is just testing & the guys are getting back into the groove.
My whole point & reasoning behind my response was to say that, honestly, I personally feel like 2016 is kind of unpredictable. With all the drama, new bikes, strong riders, competitiveness...overall EVERYTHING combined it's going to be an exciting season. Some of the guys start off really strong, some start slow & get better throughout the season.
Example, Smith throughly impressed me in the 2015 season & I never once would of really thought of him.
Things are unpredictable. I'm just excited to see how the whole season pans out. I'm excited to see strengths & weaknesses, etc.
I love this sport as a whole & I can't wait to see the ebb n' flow of it all.
Last edited:
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
I rate Dovi very highly. But I think he was screwed during his best years. I can't explain his drop in performance from Qatar to Valencia of last year. But he remains one of my favorite riders.
One of my favorite all time quotes from him, which at the moment I can't remember word for word, but I'll paraphrase was a response he gave about not being popular. He said MotoGP likes asshats clowns that prance around making jokes and being funny for the camera. Then said he's just not a ........, sorry. (Oh I know I ...... that up, but it was something to that effect).
If you pay special attention to him (if Dorna wasn't so obsessed with only showing Marquez, Rossi, and Lorenzo) you would notice about Dovi that he fights tooth and nail for positions. The thing is, often he hasn't had the bike to do it. He was screwed by HRC, too much to elaborate. HRC, you'd really need to understand a man named Alberto Puig. Suffice to say that his last year at HRC was hostile, yet he finished 3rd in the championship. When he joined Ducati, it was a piece of ...., yet he regularly matched or beat Nicky, which you know I rate highly. Only very few times did he not beat his teammates in the overall standing.
Last edited:
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Unless Honda really fast-track required finessing to electronics - I don't see Dani doing well in the first half. It's generally agreed by all - that Dani really needs everything to be picture perfect for him to ride the way he can. His lack of weight is really a limiting factor for him. I'm sure he'll put in some great rides before he retires - but the poor guy has had more surgeries than Cher and Joan Rivers put together. He's a serious bionic pilot.
I used to really dislike him after what he pulled in 2006 but got over it. Now - I have to say I admire his doggedness in the face of all he's been through.
Last edited:
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
Exactly reasons why I can't bash the guy and/or not rate him highly. He has absolutely outstanding positivity even if he's dealt a ...... hand.
Same as Pedrosa.
Even if they point out flaws, they are more often times than not to follow up with a positive.
I really wish Dovi & Pedrosa would get more praise than they do currently.
They are tiny guys & ......' destroy .... on those bikes. Upstanding & wonderful gentlemen. True spirit.
I could cry talking about them.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
I wouldn't lump Pedrosa in with Dovi, if anyone has had a silverspoon of opportunity it's Dani. However, I really liked his Chihuahua fighting spirit at Aragon this year.
And consider Dovi was a nat's pubic hair from being a race winner this year, at Qatar.
You should be crying about Nicky not being in GP, if anything.
For JPS - tissues and ermm, other stuff may be required
A picture gallery of one Ducati Riding dude from Australia
#CaseyIsBack - Album on Imgur
A picture gallery of one Ducati Riding dude from Australia
#CaseyIsBack - Album on Imgur
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Myself, Rog, Bonnie and Wills witnessed Dovi win at Donington watching outfield at Starkeys, in truly lethal conditions in the absence of an intermediate. He showed his class, finesse and fortitude that day, although I was always a fan since his days with humagest. In 250 when he battled with Lorenzo and the faster disc valve Aprilia's on an inferior Honda he was a devil on the brakes. Here's a shot I took at Foggy's in 2005 I think. Slightly out of focus I'm afraid..
However, going back to his win in 2009, amazing as it was, it wasn't the most impressive thing I witnessed that day. That honour is reserved for Rog tearing a hole in the fence with his teeth to get a better angled shot on his Nikon.
However, going back to his win in 2009, amazing as it was, it wasn't the most impressive thing I witnessed that day. That honour is reserved for Rog tearing a hole in the fence with his teeth to get a better angled shot on his Nikon.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
I was thinking that as I typed it. It was truly Richard Kiel moment. We both walked down to the perimeter fence to get some shots during the 250 race. Some ... was sitting there on a fold up fishing stool with his mate and Rog unintentionally brushed up next to him. The guy started mouthing off then looked up in horror at Rog looming next to him. Credit to him, he said nothing, didn't retaliate - just tore a hole in the fence with his teeth. This tosser folded up his chair and took off around McCleans in the direction of Coppice faster than an Aprilia RS250.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
I'm sorry, but screw you Casey Stoner. You can ride bikes better than anyone on earth, and I've no doubt that in that you've learned quite a bit about the technical side of bike setups, but in no way can you consider yourself an engineer.
While you have been off riding bikes, I have worked my ... off to become an engineer getting both a Diploma and a Bachelors Degree, which involves a lot of sacrifice and commitment, both personal and financial, which I'll still be paying back for the next 20-30 years. Plus, Engineering isn't just telling people how to set up a bike..it's years of learning about material properties, raw ....... maths, engine technology, bending moments, co-efficients of drag/friction, thermodynemics and aerodynamics and account ....... management to name just a fraction of the modules I had to do. So don't be calling yourself an Engineer when you haven't earned the title of one!
Rant over.
See, Maybe more recently yes, but I've always considered his weakness to not be a fighter. Not have that last extra will to win in a dogfight. For example, in early 2010 I think, I got pissed at more than one race where he sat behind a rider (in Qatar it was Nicky Hayden) for the whole race, then out of the last corner used the superior power of the Honda to zip past them, and in that case, sneaking a podium.
As Sparrows says though, I still have mega respect for them all.
