The rumor just wont go away

Finally, Dean Adams of Superbikeplanet.com is reporting that Nicky Hayden is looking a very strong candidate to take Marco Melandri's seat at Ducati at the end of the year. Hayden has been with Honda for most of his racing career, but fell out of favor with the Japanese factory after the arrival of his Spanish team mate Dani Pedrosa. With Hayden's riding style very similar to the reigning world champion, Casey Stoner's, it is widely felt that Hayden is one of the few men who could be capable of taming the Ducati. Although Melandri is only halfway through the first year of a two-year deal with Ducati, it is inconceivable that Ducati would stand in Melandri's way if he wanted to leave, which he surely must. Indeed, Melandri is widely rumored to be quitting after Laguna Seca, with Sete Gibernau being lined up as a possible replacement.

I'm not crazy about him going to Ducati. I think its a do or die situation. But considering he is dead at Honda, then he has no choice. .... it. What's the worst that can happen--being #2, mid to low pack? At very least he may be treated better than at POH (Peders-Obsessed Honda.)

I still think a satellite Honda is the way to go for Nicky.
No pressure but with a bit of respect from the factory for sticking with them. Look what Sete did on a satellite Honda. Nicky could do the same, maybe better I think.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jul 11 2008, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm not crazy about him going to Ducati. I think its a do or die situation. But considering he is dead at Honda, then he has no choice. .... it. What's the worst that can happen--being #2, mid to low pack? At very least he may be treated better than at POH (Peders-Obsessed Honda.)

That's the way I look at it too.

He's 27 this month, he doesn't have another season to chuck at Honda. Worst case scenario he is demoted to Xerox Ducati.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The grass is always greener my friends.

On another note, how will Nicky and Stoner be as teammates? That could also be crucial to his success/failure.

It's too bad Nick can't do a secret test on the Ducati to see how he like the feel of it before signing on the dotted line. I can't wait for the off season

Is it just me or does Hayden look really relaxed (almost apathetic) about his mediocre practice sessions?

I think he signed or he is about to. The announcement will be made at Laguna. Maybe Ezy has engineered a rider swap. Nicky for Marco

If Dorna pulls the trigger on that transaction I would change my mind about Ezy . Not really

I just caught this check it out.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/mot...am-scott-honda/

R-46

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (R-46 @ Jul 11 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I just caught this check it out.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/mot...am-scott-honda/

R-46


Well all be damned, there is another article stating how Honda ...... Nicky. Jum you think for a second that Nicky would get preferential treatment on a satelite team? On the other hand if he goes to Duc and does mediocre to poor it would be just another Hayden letdown. It would be hard to continue to support him on a satelite Honda, I just really don't like them right now.

Hmmmmm. That article kind of leads you to believe that Hayden may have had reservations about the switch, and Gibby was brought in to prove that other successfull 990 riders can pilot the upcoming GP9

He and last years Honda weren't a good package and this years Honda is proving to be marginal at best...how is him riding for a satellite team any good for either party?

I think the Ducati is really the only real option. If it comes to pass and ends badly, probably wouldn't be any worse than the satellite honda. Then at least he's got the ties to a run on the ducati wsb squad

Suggestion to Nicky: Go to Ducati and wrestle that monster down...DO IT!!!

Take the bike or ride around on a satellite Honda getting mid pack results till you move to WSBK. .... that. Change something, shoot for the top, don't .... around hoping Honda will provide decent support, you aint had it for 2 years WTF is going to change at big H. Jack and .....

Either be Pedrosa's doormat or take the chance to turn him into one.

One thing is for sure ...... whoever goes to the Duc. will have tested it ...... I don't think either rider nor Duc. can afford any "assumed" will go good on it. Hence why we see lots of tests by Gibbers as well.

I personally don't think Nicky will do better on the Duc., I think there seems a lot of emotional recouping in such beliefs .... I could be totally wrong though. I just don't see the "wrestling of the bike" in Haydens style ....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jul 12 2008, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The grass is always greener my friends.

On another note, how will Nicky and Stoner be as teammates? That could also be crucial to his success/failure.

It's too bad Nick can't do a secret test on the Ducati to see how he like the feel of it before signing on the dotted line. I can't wait for the off season

Yup, that's right.
If Hayden moves to Ducati, he must have thought that the tires could become his problem, because Bridgestone definitely different from Michelin, will he able to cope with it? another thing is, Ducati has rear weight distribution mainly than Honda in the front... Melandri got this problem from the beginning. He will have to learn all new things from zero to go fast on that red machine. I do not think is easy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Blue Cielo @ Jul 11 2008, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yup, that's right.
If Hayden moves to Ducati, he must have thought that the tires could become his problem, because Bridgestone definitely different from Michelin, will he able to cope with it? another thing is, Ducati has rear weight distribution mainly than Honda in the front... Melandri got this problem from the beginning. He will have to learn all new things from zero to go fast on that red machine. I do not think is easy.


Funny how you "accidentaly" twisted that into tires, which I or anyone hasn't even given a grain of salt. Will the Bridgstones suit Nicky? Its funny how last year the tires were so important and now this year you only hear how occasionaly the tires were at fault. THen you have Lex over there saying that Dorna is manipulation the whole season with tires

Actually I wanted to know if "Casey" Stoner and Nick would get along?? But I guess in this day in age, who really gives a .... about your teammate?

ducati wont accept mediocrity, which hayden is. they wont want to get into a situation like honda, where they want to let go of him, but cant because hayden fans will cry about how he wasnt given a chance and he got no support.

ducati wont want that baggage even with the american market. hes only 27 so if hayden does sign to ducati he may hang around them too long with no exit strategy like honda has and will be like a bad smell to them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jul 12 2008, 07:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>ducati wont accept mediocrity, which hayden is. they wont want to get into a situation like honda, where they want to let go of him, but cant because hayden fans will cry about how he wasnt given a chance and he got no support.

ducati wont want that baggage even with the american market. hes only 27 so if hayden does sign to ducati he may hang around them too long with no exit strategy like honda has and will be like a bad smell to them.

I hate to tell you Pinky but sometimes it is about money (referring to your comment, "ducati wont want that baggage even with the american market<u></u>.") Do you even know how much the American Market is worth to Ducati? And if Ducati does sign him, I guess that makes you smarter then the CEO of Ducati.

You state your statement as if it were a fact and not as a educated guess. Are you that arrogant and prideful?

Everything is speculation until things come to fruition. Hayden may or may not sign with Ducati! And as of now, that might not even be a fact. As far as we know, he may have already signed on the dotted line with Ducati, Same Team, or Different Team.

if you happen to read properly, i said that they would want an american rider for the huge american market, but they wont want an uncompetitive american rider (end of the day they want to win championships, rider and manufacturers) for the fact that if he is mediocre like he has been with honda for 4 of his 5 years there, then they would have to try to offload him like they are trying to do with marco, the whole affair would do more damage than good.

i bet honda wished hayden pissed off at the end of 06, then they would of won a WC in 06, yet still got rid of him at the same time, win win

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinky @ Jul 12 2008, 06:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>if you happen to read properly, i said that they would want an american rider for the huge american market, but they wont want an uncompetitive american rider (end of the day they want to win championships, rider and manufacturers) for the fact that if he is mediocre like he has been with honda for 4 of his 5 years there, then they would have to try to offload him like they are trying to do with marco, the whole affair would do more damage than good.

i bet honda wished hayden pissed off at the end of 06, then they would of won a WC in 06, yet still got rid of him at the same time, win win

Yes, Pinky I did read carefully and your last statement regarding this situation is, "ducati wont want that baggage even with the american market."

As you know, the word "won't" suggest that Ducat will not have him even though is he is good for the american market and the word also suggest that there is no chance at all (not even considered an option). Example: I won't eat my veggies. It suggest that I will not eat them no matter what.

If I say, "I prefer not to eat veggies." I am suggesting that I don't like them, but that doesn't state that I "won't" ever eat them.

And then you use the word "even" which suggestd that no matter the value of the american market they still won't want Hayden.

Not trying to argue, but those words came from your mouth, not mine!

Anyone else reading this topic, may agree that your last statment suggests what I interpret it to be.

For example, if I say, "Ducati won't have Casey Stoner with them next year even if he wins the championship this year."

I am stating a fact as you may see now. That's all! Not a bid deal, but that is what I got from you last post.

Anyone else agree!

Bottom line: You are imposing that Ducati doesn't even consider Hayden an option!

Final quote from you - "ducati wont accept mediocrity, which hayden is."

Your words not mine - so if Ducati does sign Hayden..your statement is null and void.

And if Ducati does NOT sign him, I am still right as I never stated as a fact that they would or wouldn't!

i''l leavve this forum never to return if ducati signs hayden