Joined Apr 2011
900 Posts | 4+
somewhere else
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
I still say Honda is not going to pay Lorenzo 12-15 million a year. They already have a rider who will be favored to win the title and is going to demand 12-15 million, and one who can finish 2nd or 3rd in the championship for about 3-4 million a year. They will act interested to get Yamaha to expend resources, but i would bet that the Honda team you see in 14, will be the same team you see in 15.
Joined Apr 2011
900 Posts | 4+
somewhere else
povol
Nope, if anyone of the upcoming riders is to have a chance against Marquez, Pol is it. 2012 proved how close they are, maybe that gap has grown a little, but you watch this year; Pol will be on the podium a few times, and will consistently be the next behind the top three.
Nope, if anyone of the upcoming riders is to have a chance against Marquez, Pol is it. 2012 proved how close they are, maybe that gap has grown a little, but you watch this year; Pol will be on the podium a few times, and will consistently be the next behind the top three.
Joined Apr 2011
900 Posts | 4+
somewhere else
MigsAngel
I beg to differ, Pol willl be beating Rossi more often than not. On occasions when 99,93,26 all finish, he's mostly next best. when one of them fall, he's on the podium. And i'm positive at some tracks he'll beat one of the three fair and square.
I beg to differ, Pol willl be beating Rossi more often than not. On occasions when 99,93,26 all finish, he's mostly next best. when one of them fall, he's on the podium. And i'm positive at some tracks he'll beat one of the three fair and square.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
povol
Hence why "rumours" of Lorenzo to Ducati give Lorenzo at least some bargaining power to Jorge when re-negotiating a stay at Yamaha.
Hence why "rumours" of Lorenzo to Ducati give Lorenzo at least some bargaining power to Jorge when re-negotiating a stay at Yamaha.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
barbedwirebiker
Marquez beat Pol like a borrowed mule in 2012, on what most consider a lesser machine. Pol just never showed that dominance that makes me think he is going to be anything better than say Bradl or Bautista. Good rider, but the field is full of good riders. Elite rider, im not seeing it.
Marquez beat Pol like a borrowed mule in 2012, on what most consider a lesser machine. Pol just never showed that dominance that makes me think he is going to be anything better than say Bradl or Bautista. Good rider, but the field is full of good riders. Elite rider, im not seeing it.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Joined Oct 2011
351 Posts | 25+
Europe
Mental Anarchist
come on, after those last few seasons no rider with a choice is stupid enough to believe that they get the chassis sorted. if they get anything sorted, if, and that's a big if, it will be in the range of potentially an odd podium or so. under the current rule set, testing possibilities and their inherent slowness of development ('14 Duc to hit the track at Sepang, whereas '14 Honda+Yam are running on track for months, already being faster than the '13 bikes), I see no ....... way of Ducati returning to winning ways, consistently, or even challenging for the title, no matter who rides that piece of crap. and the problem lies in the freaking chassis, much more than in the electronics. Ducati needs no mandatory ECU, but a complete change of formula (e.g. 500cc turbo bikes, 170kg minimum weight, tire war - something of that magnitude) in order to stand a chance of coming on par again. under the current set of rules, they are inevitably forced to play catch up, and it's simply not gonna work out for them, no matter if it's Preziosi, the german dude, or Dall'Igna leading development.
come on, after those last few seasons no rider with a choice is stupid enough to believe that they get the chassis sorted. if they get anything sorted, if, and that's a big if, it will be in the range of potentially an odd podium or so. under the current rule set, testing possibilities and their inherent slowness of development ('14 Duc to hit the track at Sepang, whereas '14 Honda+Yam are running on track for months, already being faster than the '13 bikes), I see no ....... way of Ducati returning to winning ways, consistently, or even challenging for the title, no matter who rides that piece of crap. and the problem lies in the freaking chassis, much more than in the electronics. Ducati needs no mandatory ECU, but a complete change of formula (e.g. 500cc turbo bikes, 170kg minimum weight, tire war - something of that magnitude) in order to stand a chance of coming on par again. under the current set of rules, they are inevitably forced to play catch up, and it's simply not gonna work out for them, no matter if it's Preziosi, the german dude, or Dall'Igna leading development.
sewarion
Well that would be your opinion. My opinion differs greatly. I think you best call the infinitely smarter and more successful people than yourself at Ducati and tell them to give up and stop wasting their money.
Well that would be your opinion. My opinion differs greatly. I think you best call the infinitely smarter and more successful people than yourself at Ducati and tell them to give up and stop wasting their money.
Joined Oct 2011
351 Posts | 25+
Europe
Mental Anarchist
I'd love to see Ducati improve, for the sake of the sport, competition and because they seem to be a cool bunch of guys over there. But given the results of recent years, the development possibilities as per the rule book (little testing, tires, etc.), and the advantage the Yamaha and Honda have currently, I'd rather stick to my skepticism than to imagine JL switching from Yamaha to Ducati on the basis of 'trust' that they will sort their chassis problems out or the need for a stronger engine or anything of the like.
Quite generally, I believe Jorge would prefer an ....... teammate over a .... bike.
I'd love to see Ducati improve, for the sake of the sport, competition and because they seem to be a cool bunch of guys over there. But given the results of recent years, the development possibilities as per the rule book (little testing, tires, etc.), and the advantage the Yamaha and Honda have currently, I'd rather stick to my skepticism than to imagine JL switching from Yamaha to Ducati on the basis of 'trust' that they will sort their chassis problems out or the need for a stronger engine or anything of the like.
Quite generally, I believe Jorge would prefer an ....... teammate over a .... bike.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
This Open formula is actually what contemporary MotoGP should be: 24 liters, spec ECU with customizable code, prototype engine (with not too many arbitrary limitations) and frame, more flexibility in tire choices. There is mainly one manufacturer who is gonna oppose this new formula, and that's Mama Honda, the mother of all screwed up formulas, worried only about maintaining their newly-found stranglehold on the series.
