BabyCow Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Apparently he has decided to "leave" Yamaha at the end of the season. http://au.eurosport.com/moto/spies-confirms-yamaha-exit_sto3359892/story.shtml Don't think Yamaha want Rossi back but if they did Spies to Ducati? If Yamaha are smart I would be seeking Crutchlow
Guest Kakugo Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 Spies is currently negotiating with BMW to ride an S1000RR alongside Marco Melandri in WSBK next year. As Nicky Hayden has just signed a one year contract extension with Ducati (with an option for 2014) that only leaves two factory rides available for next year. Don't really think Rossi has any serious intention of moving: going to Yamaha means having to accept their conditions which means Lorenzo's conditions, considerably less money and less chances of a car racing contract once he decides to retire. Moreover it appears Rossi is gaining the upper hand inside Ducati: the new German higher ups seem very keen to listen to him as far as bike design goes. Ducati's problems stem from two main areas of concern: the 90° V4 engine and the ultra-stiff frames. The 90° engine is a marketing shtick (originally general management even wanted a twin pulse V4 to make their engine sound like a big twin but Preziosi vetoed that): as Honda and Aprilia proved if you really want to race a V4 right now it means a narrow angle engine. The ultra-stiff frame wasn't such a huge concern a few years ago but is right now with present tyres allowing for incredible lean angles and unbelievable corner speeds. The present trend, pioneered by Yamaha, is to make for longer engine mounts to allow frames in the front area just that tiny amount of flexing to improve front end grip and feel. Ducati has sternly refused to make such concessions: even Carlos Checa complained about the 1199 lack front end feel and grip after testing the bike extensively. Rossi, who grew with Japanese engineers and engineering culture, seems to have run into a stone wall. Yamaha was prepared to build a V4 engine just for him, if he needed it to win. Ducati doesn't want to compromise their bike design to allow him to fight if not for victory at least for a podium position. I think Rossi has already had a word or two with the new VW-nominated general manager in that regard...
hopz Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 I've been a Spies "fan" since he started in World Super Bike. Unfortunately I am beginning to think there is something going on in Ben's head, not with his bikes. He gets great starts then works his way down the line to finish in the 5th or 6th position (generalization). WTF?
markgoodrich Posted July 28, 2012 Posted July 28, 2012 It does appear Ben's going to WSBK BMW next year. I've always wondered how much difference there is in rider pay between MGP and WSBK. I would think the latter is less, but what do I know? He'll get lots of money from endorsement deals in the U. S. If he's competitive on the BMW it will be massive for their sales in the U. S.
frenchwv Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Heard from the commentators during the Laguna GP yesterday that Rossi was offered 17 million euros to stay with Ducati.
Rinkydink Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Spies to BMW/WSBK, my prayers have been answered!
markgoodrich Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 Did I miss something? Rossi announced the switch? I'm not clear on the BMW changes. Seems like the German factory effort is abandoned, leaving BMW Italy to run the factory team, leaving three really good riders without a seat. I'm curious about why BMW did it. The official word is "consolidation" with hints at financial cost reduction, but also hints at focus on MotoGP. Even more confusing to me is the statement that BMW will develop the engine and electronics...I thought they'd abandoned their in-house electronics package for a Marelli system, which was one of the reasons for their move forward in the standings...Yamaha's absence being another....
Whip Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 Did I miss something? Rossi announced the switch? I'm not clear on the BMW changes. Seems like the German factory effort is abandoned, leaving BMW Italy to run the factory team, leaving three really good riders without a seat. I'm curious about why BMW did it. The official word is "consolidation" with hints at financial cost reduction, but also hints at focus on MotoGP. Even more confusing to me is the statement that BMW will develop the engine and electronics...I thought they'd abandoned their in-house electronics package for a Marelli system, which was one of the reasons for their move forward in the standings...Yamaha's absence being another.... http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2012/July/jul3112-new-mcn-august-1/
markgoodrich Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 Did I miss something? Rossi announced the switch? I'm not clear on the BMW changes. Seems like the German factory effort is abandoned, leaving BMW Italy to run the factory team, leaving three really good riders without a seat. I'm curious about why BMW did it. The official word is "consolidation" with hints at financial cost reduction, but also hints at focus on MotoGP. Even more confusing to me is the statement that BMW will develop the engine and electronics...I thought they'd abandoned their in-house electronics package for a Marelli system, which was one of the reasons for their move forward in the standings...Yamaha's absence being another.... http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2012/July/jul3112-new-mcn-august-1/ Maybe. No real announcement yet. If Duc has 17 million euros to pay Vale, to ride, they've got the money to put a competitive bike under him. Maybe with Audi in the mix they will. I don't care what he rides, I just want to see him back up front wreaking havoc.
Paul Mihalka Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 What worries me a bit that none of us, not even Valentino, is exempt from aging. Nicky Hayden is very good, but not in the class of Lorenzo/Stoner/Pedrosa. Valentino's performance on the Duck is not better than Hayden's. So maybe it is not only the bike that makes Valentino not perform like a few years ago.
OlGeezer Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 What worries me a bit that none of us, not even Valentino, is exempt from aging. Nicky Hayden is very good, but not in the class of Lorenzo/Stoner/Pedrosa. Valentino's performance on the Duck is not better than Hayden's. So maybe it is not only the bike that makes Valentino not perform like a few years ago. But, but, but......doesn't that statement invalidate your tag line?
Bill_Walker Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 It seems to me that Rossi hasn't really gotten back on form since he broke his leg.
BabyCow Posted August 4, 2012 Author Posted August 4, 2012 Rossi back to Yammieville. I wonder how Jorge feels? Jorge won't mind too much but don't think he likes Rossi much from when they were teammates. Lorenzo will be their no. 1 rider no matter who they sign. Rossi on the other hand may not like being no.2 which apparently enticed him to Ducati and the Italian dream team which has been a nightmare, but wont have much choice. Hope he does'nt make the Yamaha slow (as it is the best handling bike it should still be quick ) Wonder what Yamaha would do if Lorenzo jacked up and said ABR (anyone but Rossi).In any case Rossi's reputation is not that good as a teammate (unless he is beating you) so not sure if or why Yamaha would want to go back to a divided pit. Reports here are that Rossi may have a few bridges to build at Yamaha and Honda would not want him back in any circumstances. Interesting times. Off topic has anyone else noticed how well the top three seem to get on, and the passing is way cleaner
Whip Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Interesting to me. Rossi left Honda and went to Yamaha to prove it was the rider not the bike. Left Yamaha to Ducati for what I assume is kinda the same reason. Now, he is out to prove it was the bike not the rider. He may have a future in politics.
BabyCow Posted August 5, 2012 Author Posted August 5, 2012 I think he has proved it was the rider. Just not him
Rinkydink Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Interesting to me. Rossi left Honda and went to Yamaha to prove it was the rider not the bike. Left Yamaha to Ducati for what I assume is kinda the same reason. Now, he is out to prove it was the bike not the rider. He may have a future in politics. Well said!
EffBee Posted September 9, 2012 Posted September 9, 2012 It looks like there's a good chance it's going to be a Ducati satellite team for Spies. It was announced today that the second spot on next year's BMW WSBK team went to Chaz Davies. He'll team with Melandri. No word on a third bike for Haslam, so you can probably figure he's out. The only chance for Spies and BMW is if there IS a third bike and its for him (which would make sense over Haslam). Barring that, and figuring Spies really wants to stay in MotoGP, but is pissed at Yamaha for dumping him in favor of Rossi's return, the Euro press is saying Spies and Ducati is 99% done. Of course, they've been wrong before.
markgoodrich Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Spies and Iannone confirmed for Pramac Ducati. One on the way down, one on the way up. Iannone should inject some uh, excitement into the racing.
CoarsegoldKid Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I would have rather seen Ben go to World Superbike on a factory anything.
racer7 Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 yup, especially given the current diminished field of real gp bikes. Stoner picked a good time to leave IMO. At this rate there will be little asterisks next to the winners names noting that they won in an era of decreased competition.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.