Couldn't agree more. I do really hope that he leaves Ducati next year and go to either Honda or Yamaha. I think rain in le Man has done big favour to Rossi where he mange to produce decent performance at the very important stage of the season and showed every one that he still got the speed and hunger.
Couldn't agree more. I do really hope that he leaves Ducati next year and go to either Honda or Yamaha. I think rain in le Man has done big favour to Rossi where he mange to produce decent performance at the very important stage of the season and showed every one that he still got the speed and hunger.
I think Rossi will want to see the job out at ducati but i think whether he stays there will depend on whether JB stays or retires. He is getting on and his wife has had serious health issues. I cant see rossi staying if JB goes..
I cant see there being a problem foe rossi at honda any more. Non of the people who were at honda during Rossi's time there are still there. That was said by honda when rossi went to ducati. I think Rossi will stay at ducati if he can keep JB pinned down.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
I think the situation is fluid after stoner's announcement. If he leaves ducati my thoughts are along the line of imam's and talpa's after you in the thread.
Following on from lex's sociological treatise/tour de force, whether or not stoner is motivated by fame, wealth and power, valentino definitely is, if not by those things alone; I am not among those who consider him to be unmotivated by crumpet, but that is irrelevant to this discussion.
I think if jorge stays at yamaha he doesn't go there; apart from anything else he is not incorrect imo that there usually can be only one at top factory gp teams. I think with the decreased disparity between the number of alien riders and alien bikes, a separate valentino only yamaha team is less likely. Honda imo is more complex, I think dependent on multiple factors, the presence of any lingering animosity, how keen dorna/bridgepoint are for him to be there, whether winning next year's title in particular is an absolute priority for honda regardless of the long term while they are waiting for marquez among them. I don't think he is likely to be worried about dani. If stoner wins the title particularly if the yamaha is looking the better bike in general honda may be more of a risk. If jorge wins the title and goes to honda (not likely imo, the latter anyway), I think valentino may well go back to yamaha.
Bradl has a two-year contract under LCR's management. As Cecchinello puts it: ”Our project with HRC is for Honda riders to grow and when mature, making them available."
It would make the most sense - assuming he continues on the way he has been riding.
I just don't see Rossi leaving Ducati, it would be a very public acceptance of defeat and it would open him up to exponentially increasing pressure to do the business wherever he went, starting with the strong possibility of having to struggle hard to beat a team mate. As much as I want to see more of Rossi at the front while he's still around, I'd be disappointed if he quit Ducati. It would be an even bigger let down than the last year and half already has been as far as he is concerned
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
If given the opportunity to be on an already competitive bike Rossi will dump Duc without a second thought the way he did Michelin.
He's not interested in going down in the history books as the most loyal racer. He's after wins and championships.
He's not interested in going down in the history books as the most loyal racer. He's after wins and championships.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
Honda' first choice would be Lorenzo, not Rossi. Snatching him from Yamaha would considerably weaken their main rivals. They want to keep winning now, will not lose 2 years waiting for Marquez (a promise that may or may not materialize). They could use Rossi as a bridge to Marquez, yes: but will they overcome the old grudge? I doubt it.
And I think Lorenzo would promptly go to Honda, with the right offer.
That would leave 1 factory seat open at Yamaha (or even two, if Spies does not recover). So, Rossi back at Yamaha? That depends on Yamaha of course. Because at that point there would be choices: Pedrosa would be cheaply available, and Crutchlow. Age (with signs of decline) and cost are the main drawbacks of VR46 now in the marketplace.
In the end, it is quite possible that Ducati and Rossi are going to stay together.
And I think Lorenzo would promptly go to Honda, with the right offer.
That would leave 1 factory seat open at Yamaha (or even two, if Spies does not recover). So, Rossi back at Yamaha? That depends on Yamaha of course. Because at that point there would be choices: Pedrosa would be cheaply available, and Crutchlow. Age (with signs of decline) and cost are the main drawbacks of VR46 now in the marketplace.
In the end, it is quite possible that Ducati and Rossi are going to stay together.
He might go back to honda or yamaha to get the 8th championship, but not to get second in the championship. Reviving ducati would be a greater achievement than that, and mean that he had met his final challenge. I am probably more inclined to think he could beat jorge in a straight fight than you are, but it would be difficult for him to be confident of doing so at this stage in his career, not that jorge could be confident either imo. My feeling the way the bikes look at the moment is that if stoner wins it will be by being able to ride around the problems sufficiently to utilise the power/drive out of the corners of the honda as is his wont against a yamaha that has better overall balance, so valentino if he went to honda might be inheriting another bike that does not suit him and will take some sorting to do so, although obviously less than the ducati.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
If, (and it is a big IF) Valentino is still the old Valentino, -- it takes more than a proud duel in the wet with his archrival to prove that -- then he would be quite capable to win on the Honda. He knows Honda's DNA, that has not changed much, and they have won a lot together in the past. No compatibility issues there. And he could still win on the Yamaha of course, unless Stoner is riding the Honda. But there is that big IF. Managers at Honda and Yamaha are also aware of that big IF, and that could steer their choices in other directions.
Much will depend on what else Rossi will be capable of showing in the rest of the season. If he doesn't retire, he'll have to demonstrate everything all over again, in spite of all his titles.
Joined Jan 2011
3K Posts | 152+
The North!
Too many if's in the equation for now but should they materialize I really wouldn't like to say.
One thing for sure! I wouldn't be as confident of VR staying at Ducatti .
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
Then assuming Rossi leaves Ducati one could imagine Lorenzo at Honda, Vale back to Yamaha and Ducati all after Crutchlow...
I would back him on a yamaha against jorge on a honda. I think you were right last year, he will fight for a win or podium, not to finish 6th rather than 7th at the risk of crashing, particularly when that risk was unpredictable as it was last year,
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Disagree buddy. Its a no brainer! Rossi stays at Ducati, continues to be mid pack. Rossi moves to Honda, easily beats Pedro. Moves to Yamaha, and is a Yamaha 1,2, so its a 50/50 chances of winning every race. Who here wants to debate that Rossi on a sorted Honda or Yamaha can't beat the rest of the field? Again, its a NO BRAINER! Stay at Ducati and finishes the rest of his career as a midpack rider, leave for a Jap factory and immediately is the odds on favorite if not at least second to the title. Who is going to question his 'commitment & loyalty' to Ducati if everybody blames Ducati for 'holding Rossi back'. Have you not been reading the "the champ is back!' theme of reaction around the world? What is there to debate buddy?
The way he rode this weekend he showed everybody he is not yet finished. In his case is all about the bike. And with Casey leaving the HRC he really is the best replacement. But don't know if he wants to stay loyal to Ducati (He wants a title with the Red Team) or he wants the old days back.
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
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