http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/6918/valentino-rossi-has-asked-for-a-gresini-honda-says-marco-melandri
Rumors or trumors, another interesting silly season. .
Rumors or trumors, another interesting silly season. .
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I for one predicted this months back. I won't be surprised or disappointed. He's on the earthbound side of his career trajectory - and much as some may hate to admit it - his non-presence at the pointy end detracts from the excitement. He doesn't need his own team. Just Simoncellis's seat. Crowds would go wild to see Rossi and Stoner battle it out on the same bike.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Would certainly mean job security for Nicky if Ducati decided to stay in the series. If Rossi were to quit on Ducati, you may see them pull out though. The embarrassment of having that many world class riders tell the world that your bike sucks may be more than they can withstand. Or, they can swallow their pride, offer Casey 20 million a season, get back to winning a few races a year and being somewhat relevant .
Joined Feb 2009
3K Posts | 2+
siebenbürgen süße heimat!
Well, I read in this here forum that Honda will only field 4 bikes next year so that would be very difficult, especially with it appearing that Dovi is going to LCR - as I mentioned as a rumor in the same thread where I mentioned that Honda going to 4 bikes was laughable.
The Dovi rumor has picked up steam. The 4 bikes rumor? Not so much...
As far as Rossi wanting to leave Ducati, if the opportunity arose it would take a week for the dust to settle. Ducati are lost but seem to want to stick it out with their flawed design.
The Dovi rumor has picked up steam. The 4 bikes rumor? Not so much...
As far as Rossi wanting to leave Ducati, if the opportunity arose it would take a week for the dust to settle. Ducati are lost but seem to want to stick it out with their flawed design.
If Rossi ran from two challenges in two years he'd better be absolutely on it in 2012. If he couldn't spank the other Honda riders he'd look very silly indeed
Having said that, i don't believe this rumour just yet
Having said that, i don't believe this rumour just yet
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
I for one would lose some respect for Vale if he did this. Unlike the boners, I feel Rossi has nothing more to prove and taking on a challenge like this late in his career I actually had more respect for him. But giving up to got to honda would not be a good thing imo. Although he is a racer and I get why he would want to do this.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Would Rossi race for much less than his normal salary demand [15-20 million]. If not, i cant see Honda risking running off the much younger, probable 2011 champion to get him. Even if he is willing to race for less money than Stoner, Honda would be gambling that Stoner did not take it as a slap in the face to put Rossi on a factory bike that he has developed. Honda needs to focus on signing Mark Marquez and solidifying their GP future for the next 10 years, instead of rocking the boat and risk pissing off the temperamental superstar that is in place, and could lead their program for the next decade.What goes around comes around, could we see Stoner veto Rossi's move to Honda, like Rossi did Stoner at Yamaha, and tried to do the same with Lorenzo. Blowback is a .....
Povol, Rossi could attract personal sponsors that would cover a decent part of his salary if he rode for a team that would allow it. He'd also allow Gresini to attract a big money sponsor.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Oh i know, but Honda would still be gambling on losing Stoner if he perceived he was being slighted. I dont think they would dare give Rossi a factory bike and risk pissing the future away.
I don't think Stoner would feel slighted if Rossi was at Gresini! I also don't think this is true (the site that posted it is believed to have done so to generate interest in the site) but stranger things have happened.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
You seriously dont think Stoner would mind if Honda offered Rossi a full factory package with Gresini.
No, I think Stoner would enjoy beating Rossi on the same equipment. Before this season I heard how much strife there would be between Stoner/Suppo and Pedrosa/Puig. Most of this stuff is just gossip, these guys have great confidence in themselves.
edit to add: I think that there is a good chance that Stoner would find it hilarious if he was on the factory team with Rossi on a satellite team, even with a works bike.
And to reiterate, I think that this all a fairy tale.
edit to add: I think that there is a good chance that Stoner would find it hilarious if he was on the factory team with Rossi on a satellite team, even with a works bike.
And to reiterate, I think that this all a fairy tale.
Joined Apr 2011
636 Posts | 26+
Gold Coast
lets chuck it out there and say it isnt a gresini bike as such, but a full factory supported honda team, single bike, run by valentino rossi, with him in the hot seat.
Sponsorship could come from anywhere, even though he has had a ......... season this year, the man still sells ..... He would get money thrown at him from all directions I reckon.
Rossi tries for one last championship, gets it (maybe haha) then retires at the end of 2012. 2013 sees a 2nd bike in the team, with Simoncelli and Iaanone as riders. Whoooaaaa......
Sponsorship could come from anywhere, even though he has had a ......... season this year, the man still sells ..... He would get money thrown at him from all directions I reckon.
Rossi tries for one last championship, gets it (maybe haha) then retires at the end of 2012. 2013 sees a 2nd bike in the team, with Simoncelli and Iaanone as riders. Whoooaaaa......
So, what is your take on this?
I suspect that there may be contractural reasons why this can,t happen, but if not, then can Dorna allow it to happen because Ducati may throw in the towel and therefore reduce the field to a negligible number of bikes and render motogp fatally wounded. Then again, the sport would love to have Rossi back near the front
. I suspect that the new generation (Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa) offer enough to the sport that Rossi is no longer an essential ingedient (desirable, but not essential). I have little doubt that Rossi is looking at greener pastures, but doubt that he would be offered much in the way of income. Putting it bluntly, both Yamaha and Honda have riders at least his equal, and don,t need him any more, much as Rossi desperately needs them. I really don,t see Stoner objecting to Rossi as long as he does not receive favourable treatment. That has always been Stoners way. As long as Ducati are not miffed enough to quit, then I suppose it doesn,t matter either way. There is no doubt, though that such a departure by Rossi would reek of failure and further tarnish his legacy.
Joined Apr 2011
636 Posts | 26+
Gold Coast
So, what is your take on this? I suspect that there may be contractural reasons why this can,t happen, but if not, then can Dorna allow it to happen because Ducati may throw in the towel and therefore reduce the field to a negligible number of bikes and render motogp fatally wounded. Then again, the sport would love to have Rossi back near the front . I suspect that the new generation (Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa) offer enough to the sport that Rossi is no longer an essential ingedient (desirable, but not essential). I have little doubt that Rossi is looking at greener pastures, but doubt that he would be offered much in the way of income. Putting it bluntly, both Yamaha and Honda have riders at least his equal, and don,t need him any more, much as Rossi desperately needs them. I really don,t see Stoner objecting to Rossi as long as he does not receive favourable treatment. That has always been Stoners way. As long as Ducati are not miffed enough to quit, then I suppose it doesn,t matter either way. There is no doubt, though that such a departure by Rossi would reek of failure and further tarnish his legacy.
i dont think if you were to sign rossi now days, that it would be for his talent. im sure he would still run at the front on a honda or yamaha, but maybe not quick enough for a world championship. you would hire him for cash, pure and simple. he hasnt come close to winning a race this year, but have a look at the forums here. all everyone talks about it stoner (championship leader) and VR (not even close). he is a winning brand, if not a winning rider.
Can you imagine the publicity if he ran dead last week in week out? It would be huge. He would still get TV coverage, interviews ect, and get the sponsors names in the media just as much as if he was running first. MotoGp is a business first and foremost, and the product is VR.
