posted Sep 16, 2008

I feel that the Ducati move for Hayden is the correct one. BUT and it's a BIG BUT, Nickys style I feel will suit the bike but I still can't help feeling that he we will smoke the tyres too much and in doing so weaken his race when it comes down to the final third battling at the front. If the other smoother riders are around him with the same tyres I can't see him holding them off.

It's by no means clear, I certainly expect him to win a race, after all they do go to the states at least twice. I still feel Stoner will be the best rider on the Ducati. Sete on a third bespoke team/bike, well quality rider aside I'm not sure that's a good deal either.

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posted Sep 16, 2008

I don't think that the Ducati will suit Hayden's style, I think it will be too twitchy for him. Hayden and Elias have a similar style and Elias isn't exactly as one with the Ducati (although he's done better than the other 2, I have to say..)

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posted Sep 16, 2008

In my opinion, it wouldn't matter if Haydn was given an Atlas rocket to ride he would make little or no impact. He just isn't good enough to challenge for another title, and I'm not sure he was that good when he did. In 2006 he had the best bike and took his opportunities. Rossi and co. have got a grip on the 800cc story so it is too late for Haydn, Ducati or not.

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posted Sep 16, 2008

I would agree with Mixstar - Hayden is good but I don't put him in the same class as Rossi (in a class of his own), Stoner, Pedrosa, Lorenzo or indeed Dovisioso.

PS where are all you people who were saying Rossi was past it and not motivated at the beginning of the season now????!!!!!

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posted Sep 17, 2008

I think the difference with true champions & also rans in MotoGP is the ability to 'wring it's neck' at ANY time, ALL the time or as and when necessary.

Rossi certainly has this ability as I think Stoner does (he must do, that cat is an unruly beasty apparently) Tony Elias has shown the ability sporadically but maybe his ride is dodgy?

Haydn doesn't have that ability neither did Sete or Max, all good riders but non of them capable of screwing that extra two or three horse power out of a machine that doesn't have it.

Also, Rossi is a class WUM act. He can syke his oppostion out either with a look, an act or on the track. How many times do you see him 'play' with his opposition, every race practically.

No wonder he broke Agostini's record

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posted Sep 17, 2008

Mixstar - I agree in part re Hayden not up to winning another title but one thing I just can't agree with is that he doesn't ring a bikes neck!! It's just that which holds him back - he needs to ride conservatively in a race as well. I cannot believe that anyone doesn't rate his ability as a rider it's his race plan and over aggressive style that lets him down. If they're struggling for grip(Michelins esp.) and he's burning rubber into and out of each corner, fwd traction isn't his friend.... certainly not over 20 - 25 + laps.

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posted Sep 17, 2008

I wish him well, he surley has not been treated well by Honda of late. I hope to see him at the front next year,it will liven things up even more. Its all looking good for 2009.

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posted Sep 17, 2008

I like Nicky - but I think he has had his chance (though I don't mind if he proves me wrong). Think he does wring it's neck, but will either do the tyres or fall off.

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posted Sep 17, 2008

I don't really get the "wring its neck" comments - I'm pretty sure that Marco Melandri tries hard on his bike...

As for Hayden, I don't expect much next season. I think the phrase "took his opportunities" in reference to 2006 is about right. Hayden seems to me to be the guy that runs around 5th/6th, typically challenges for a podium on a good day, or clears off into the distance if they're in the USA! I don't expect much to change next year.

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posted Sep 17, 2008

Hopefully, this move will allow there to be another contender for race wins next season. Battling with Rossi/Lorenzo on Yamahas, Pedrosa/Dovi on Hondas, and with Stoner on the other Ducati, and hopefully the Kawasakis of Hopper/Melandri and the Suzukis of Capi/Vermuelen will be up there too, aswell the privateer bikes.

Obviously the more challengers the better, he may not have the outright pace to challenge for victories all season long and mount a title challenge as in 2006 on the Honda, but neither does half the field as it is, so for Ducati to have 2 MotoGP Champions onboard is hopefully going to be a good thing for us fans & spectators.

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