Will Rossi ever be back?

[bobbyshampoo]

After watching Laguna Seca and Lorenzo and Stoner, will Rossi live in their company? I'm not calling Rossi, I've watched him for years and you cannot undo what he's done, he is a great rider, but while he's been recovering from his injuries and adjusting to the new bike Stoner & Lorenzo have upped their game. Stoner looks back at his championship best, Lorenzo has learned to ride consistently instead of desperately trying for first and being reckless. Rossi hasn't turned rubbish overnight, he is class disregarding peoples personal view of him, I just think the games moved on, he hasn't had a podium in how long?  His motocross injury and his leg in Motogp might have took his edge.   

[qwakers]

no, he is just riding a gateaux bike. simple as.

[Deso]

+1 with qwakers.

At the start of the 800's Ducati caught everyone asleep. Further down the line everyone has caught up. Now MotoGP is going back to (or up to) 1000 cc they are cutting their losses and starting on these new engines.
Rossi is riding on 1000cc de-tuned to 800cc. They have had to mess about with the settings of the bike and the front end is actually a lot higher than the rear blah blah.

They are gearing up for next season. They reckon that it could be closer than even next year with the extra grunt of the 1000's. Less corner speed but more acceleration.
I personally think Rossi is looking for a win on the Ducati and then he'll retire.

[mikiboy]

injuries my bottom.
Look at Lorenzo yesterday.
Pedrosa......
Edwards......
Crutchlow.
We all know that if you put Stoner back on the ducati, he'd win or bin

[DoktorMandrake]

As far as I know, Stoner's the only one who's actually been able to get results out of the Ducati in recent times. Rossi is an amazing rider. Was it not a similar situation when he went to Yamaha - a lot of tweaking to get the bike suited to his individual style. Ok, so it wasn't maybe as bad as his performance has been on the Ducati but it will happen. He will be back up there. Every race they will be pulling reams of technical data etc. and constantly tweaking and improving the bike til they hopefully have one he's happy and can ride.

[bobbyshampoo]

 I do agree with most of the points, I just hope when he gets a sorted bike (possibly with the bigger capacity next year) he comes back on a par with the young 'uns.

[cheaperholidays]

Has to be hurting Ducati sales... you would think.

But oddly not in the states - Ducati North America has posted its Q2 2011 sales figures, and business is apparently booming for the Italian company in the US, Mexican, and Canadian markets, as sales are up 61% in the second quarter of this year. Selling over 5,200 bikes to customers so far this year, Ducati North America’s year-to-date sales are also up an outstanding 63%.

Something to do with the exchange rate.

[Orlando Watt]

Has to be hurting Ducati sales... you would think.

 


I don't buy a bike based on how well it does in MotoGP or WSB. I buy a bike because I like it.

[DoktorMandrake]

I can't see it effecting Ducati's sale. Unless it was a long term problem. I mean look at Suzuki. Their GP performances of recent years certainly haven't effected their bike sales. I wouldn't have thought many people buy a bike based on its GP rankings. Then again, I suspect one or two race rep fans would maybe be put off. Who knows. Interesting point thought.

[qwakers]

I don't buy a bike based on how well it does in MotoGP or WSB. I buy a bike because I like it.

you might not, but then, you're not a poser.

[Deso]

A lot of bike manufacturers motto is 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday'.

It's been proved that the success on track has a direct impact on sales of motorbikes for many years.

[supZ]

people seem too quick to write him off.

when he moved to yamaha he didnt get onto the podium until halfway through the season. we've just reached that point. ok so he's looking in worse shape on the duc but unsurprisingly it needs a lot of work.

people going on that stoner would be able to ride it clearly have forgotten most of last season where he was no where to be seen, didnt have a hope of keeping pace and thats down to not just the bike but the development of the other bikes. duc havent moved on as quickly as the rest. they got caught unawares and are now playing catchup.

i fully expect by the end of the season to see rossi back up the top again. he's being very consistent at the moment just gathering data, feeling the bike out. he's probably the best rider in the world for knowing whats going on with the bike he's on. great for feedback to the engineers. he's still 4th in the championship or thereabouts lets not forget which is pretty good on such a poor piece of machinery.

i keep thinking when are they going to ditch the carbon frame and put an ally one in there as all their problems seem to stem from it being too rigid.

[bonzo]

perhaps it shows rossi is not the god a lot of people thought

[SAS Tom]

Didn't this happen in 06 when he had the camel yamaha that was crap? Everyone was saying how he was past it etc and that he was going to retire soon. Then in 08 and 09 he was winning the championship again. He may not be at the top at the moment but I don't doubt he can get there again.

Doesn't matter either way, he could retire tomorrow if he wanted.

[mikiboy]

Didnt Rossi win 1st outing on the Yamaha?

He is just unable to adjust to the Ducati?
Most of the riders are amazing and on their day on a bike that suits them, they will win (well the top 6 anyhow).
Look at Elias.  Brilliant rider on the right bike and this season he looks like he's a club racer!

Good riders dont just stop being good!

[stu400]

I read the Ducati team blamed Stoner for riding around problems rather than giving feedback to the team!

[mikiboy]

Maybe he isnt as good at set up as the others but his riding talents are better!!!

[DoktorMandrake]

perhaps it shows rossi is not the god a lot of people thought

It's a synergy. You can have the best rider in the world but give himm a crap bike and he will struggle. Same if you have the ebst bike in ethe world and put me on it - it's going to be sliding about on its side in minutes. Rossi has more than proved himself. For me, Ducati's (lack of) performance actually adds an interesting dimension to the whole affair. Had Rossi got on the Duc and just dusted everyone it would have been boring and predictable. Now we have some real drama. Can they fix the bike? Can Rossi work with Ducati? Can we see a podium? There is no doubt in my mind that they can get it sorted. The question is how long will it take.

[Deso]

+1

Look at Elias. It must be embarrassing for him at the moment. 1st Moto2 champ and it just seems like he's turning up to make up the numbers in MotoGP.
It's not like he's a crap rider by a long shot, but he just can't get on with the Bridgstones. I'm sure the bike aint the best either but I defo agree with DM. They are all top notch riders or they wouldn't be there in first place.
If they all had the same bike then it would be very interesting for us spectators but progress and development would go out the window.

[bonzo]

not saying rossi isn't good.maybe just maybe he has mostly had the best bike in previous seaons.

[Wheelspin]

not saying rossi isn't good.maybe just maybe he has mostly had the best bike in previous seaons.

I don't think so.  The Ducati is virtually unridable.  Look at all of the other top class riders who have tried and failed.  Stoner made it work but even he was struggling for the last couple of years.  Don't get me wrong, the Yamaha is strong but so were the Hondas.  What Honda lacked before was a rider in Rossi and Lorenzo's class.