If slow development was an issue for Rossi, the VW corp, which is soon to surpass GM as the largest auto Mfg in the world, surely would have been a strong incentive to stay. But he didn’t, and that is an interesting clue as to how far Ducati is from the answers. In a series where a tenth of a second per lap is a serious problem, Ducati is just too far off at the moment. They need know-how, and they hired (what many would assume) was the best in the business (Rossi/Burgess) to do it, and they couldn’t get it done, and I doubt even 5 frames “per day” would have changed anything.

I mean think about this, Rossi is back at Yamaha, do we all not remember his bitter departure, as Yamaha turned their loving eyes from him to Lorenzo. He gave Yamaha an ultimatum and they said, thanks for everything, don’t let the door hit you in the … Just how bad is it at Ducati for him to go crawling back to Yamaha? OK, maybe the fact that there are only 3 employers in Moto GP might have something to do with it. But still, you get my point.

Sadly, even if Ducati did become competitive overnight, the series “Moto GP” still has one foot firmly in the grave. Three Mfgs to support a whole series, thats 4 bikes per, 12 on the grid, 6 of which exist in part due to an anchor sponsor, which are getting harder to find each year.

I’m not debating whether more money for Ducati’s Moto GP effort is a good thing, it can’t hurt. Just looking back on the last couple years, makes me doubt it’s the magic bullet many hope it will be. I don’t know the answers, and all my speculation could be bunk, time will tell. I will say this, if anybody should capitalize on a Ducati turn of fortune, Nicky deserves it, I think he is one of the best out there and deserves a bike that can get it done.

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MotoGP the race is damn near decided before it starts. At BEST you could hope for a 2 bike battle, and a good battle for 4th-8th. Its like watching a parade. I dont believe the fix is eliminating prototypes. Without that then well..its not MotoGP. I think the fix is in the direction I think they are trying to go. We want to see the bikes we can never ride. We want those expensive bikes we could dream of. But…to put some sort of caps, whether financially or performance wise to atleast make it more feasable to get good PROTOTYPE bikes on the grid. Whether its having the big players agree to get more satelites on the grid, or making it easier for the former companies to come back. There just need to be more big players. I take NOTHING away from Lorenze or Pedrosa, but…i cant help but feel that it would at least be closer if there were more worthy bikes on the grid.

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Ducati being a comparatively TINY company compared to Yahama and Honda, with HUGE resources out side of motorcyles was at a disadvantage there. So, I suppose thats something money can surely change. Could be as simple as having a larger dedicated factory that wasnt feasible before? Manufacture more, faster, and you have more things to test and eliminate?

Thats being pulled completely out of nowhere haha. Just a way I can see more money helping a team out. I wouldnt rule out the power of money all to much. Dont forget deep pockets means more of those really expensive smart people like engineers they can hire.

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The statement was made in reference to McGuiness being a top motorcycle racer (which he undoubtedly is) but that just
because he excells at TT on the Island doesnt mean he could win at MotoGP.

I called MotoGP riders the best in the world and I suppose I should have qualified by saying at closed course motorcycle road racing but since we were talking MotoGP and WSBK I thought that was evident.

Sorry for any confusion

For the record I think MotoCross racers are the most physically fit motorcycle racers in the world.

I think Ice Racers are the craziest ha ha

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…And vice versa. If you took the top motogp guys and threw them into any of the categories you mentioned, I believe they would struggle… to win anyway.

This is not a motorbike analogy, but look at Kimi Raikkonen. One of the best f1 racers in the world who left to rally race and couldn’t quite cut it. Just because you are at the top of one racing category, does not mean you will be competetive in one that is still racing, but a completely different style.

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Anyhow if you asked the goal of any aspiring roadracer it would undoubtedly be to win the World Championship in MotoGP, There is only one ultimate goal in road racing and that speaks to its perceived value.

I had to chuckle at your agreement on football. thanks.

Have enjoyed the give and take Brian, and appreciate your allowing me my opinion without getting all pissy about it. You are a gentleman. I realize there are many WSBK fans out there who are fervent in their defense of the series and in the end may prevail, but as a fan of the World Championships of road racing since 1965, for me it just wont be the same. Ive always admired the worlds best riders on the worlds best bikes. Anything less is just Canadian football on motorcycles,

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Yes imo Max could not make it in MotoGP. And Yes John McGuiness is a tremendous motorcycle racer, at least in his element. It would be interesting to see what he could do in MotoGP. There are many motorcycle racers that are at the very tops in their respective fields..motocross, flat track, ice racing, hill climbing, supermoto, etc, yet I believe very few could ride a MotoGP bike competitively.

I find it amusing we are talking about Spies who said “finishing anywhere in the top 10 in MotoGP is the equivalent of winning a WSBK race.” And when he has an opportunity to go back to WSBK, instead chooses to remain in MotoGP even if its on an uncompetitive bike.

I believe if you asked any up and coming roadracer what his ultimate gogoak

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Again, just for fun, a few more alternate thoughts.

Crutchlow never raced for Suzuki Moto GP, you might mean Bautista, who was the only Suzuki rider in the final year. Before that was was the 2010 team of Vermeulen and Capirossi. I thought Vermeulen had some great rides for Suzuki, but in reality Suzuki never responded to the 4-stroke switch in 2002, it was basically a death sentence for them as development cost skyrocketed.

Moto GP may not be feasible for Aprilia, but BMW can more than afford it, they are simply smart enough to not want to be a part of it.

Lack of participation is likely not going to change until prototypes are removed from Moto GP. Only Yamaha and Honda are willing to afford it, and Ducati of course, they just cant figure it out. No body wants to jump into that mess, and finding outside sponsorship is nothing short of wishful thinking.

So, like I said in an earlier comment on this story about Ben “He’s Not Finished Yet” Spies, the only way for Moto GP to be successful is to become WSBK.

Your idea in the second graph (Top 5 from GP and WSBK), this I would love to see. We are for sure of opposite opinions on this. I don’t understand your thinking on that one.

I’m also confused by what you mean by “could not make it in Moto GP”. Does your list of the best riders in the world only consist of riders who have won a Moto GP race or better yet a Moto GP championship? Max left Moto GP without a championship, does that mean he could not make it in Moto GP? And last but not least, if John McGuinness is not one of the best riders/racers the world has ever seen… well then I just don’t want to be a part of this world. ; )

BUT! You are right about Canada and football!

Cheers

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And then the exhaust aroma hit me.

I love the machined aluminum, the TIG welded titanium, and the bare carbon fiber. A superbike should have a modified crank, titanium rods, and high compression pistons.

Yeah, the motorcycle is important to me.

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