Maybe the Ducati Wasn't Better Than the Competition? - TheYellowCommunity.com - Valentino Rossi

trossik46 · **Maybe the Ducati Wasn't Better Than the Competition? -** 08.01.2008, 22:22

from http://motorcycledaily.com

By Dirck Edge
Watching Marco Melandri struggle during early testing of his 2008 Ducati MotoGP bike reminded me of how often Loris Capirossi struggled last year . . . even while Casey Stoner was running away with a race win. Even a Ducati MotoGP race representative has been quoted as saying Stoner made all the difference.
Something fairly objective like top speed on the straight can be measured and compared to the competition, but Capirossi already seems more at ease with his new Suzuki and Melandri seems thus far clueless about how to ride the Ducati quickly. Perhaps, it was Stoner's talent much more than his machinery that gave him an advantage last year.

"So Yellows what you think?"

**Angela O** · 08.01.2008, 23:28

It's because the Ducati is better suited to the riding style of the 250cc bike riders....Loris and Marco have been riding at MotoGP level for too long to be able to forget all that they have learned about riding these bigger bikes. Casey on the other hand had only rode in the MotoGP class for a single year before he tried his hand at the new Ducati 800cc and so was easier for him to revert back to his older riding style of the 250cc's.
I think Lorenzo would have done wonderfully on the new Ducati, but as he's signed with Yamaha we'll not get to find out - well not in the near future anyway.

Sheri · 09.01.2008, 05:34

Yep the smaller bikes are much easier to ride than the beasts of the 990 cc era.

Valentino refers to himself, Marco and Loris (plus others) as "old school" riders (I'm paraphrasing here) who rely more on rider input and rider control as opposed to the newer generation relying more on electronics.

I'm not buying at all that it was "Stoner's talent much more than his machinery that gave him an advantage last year." Sorry BUT he's gonna have to do a repeat of the championship for me to swallow that load of....

The nightnurse · 09.01.2008, 10:30

Well i am not the one saying Stoner has no talent,he is very talented especialy on the Ducati..the whole "package"was complete.BUT...he didn't get a lot of resistense and the power of the Ducatie was fierce!
I still strongly believe that when you put him on a diffrent bike the results will be much less!!!
And i still believe Valentino can kick his *ss when his bike works well this year!!

Maree · 09.01.2008, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by The nightnurse

Well i am not the one saying Stoner has no talent,he is very talented especialy on the Ducati..the whole "package"was complete.BUT...he didn't get a lot of resistense and the power of the Ducatie was fierce!
I still strongly believe that when you put him on a diffrent bike the results will be much less!!!
And i still believe Valentino can kick his *ss when his bike works well this year!!

I agree with you on that..

Emon · 09.01.2008, 13:04

well, yeah.. for sure kc got talent.. but its not that which got him the championship in 2007... it may help a little, i guess.. but to think that he won the trophy over vale 'cause he's more talented than vale is most NOT TRUE.. a complete myth that is...
its the way he rode the ducati, how it worked and all that stuff...
nothing more to add wendy.. same here...

Giselev · 10.01.2008, 21:27

Let's see if KC talent is bigger than Vale's one!

He did well because he's used to that bike! C'mon, it was Marco's 1st ride give him a break and you,press guys, stop saying that KC is that good! He is not!

. His Duke had talent! Ok, he had a bit... he stayed on his bike! Not always but enough to be considered WC!

Gi

Emon · 11.01.2008, 09:08

*hands up*
i never say that kc is talented than vale~

Lupin · 11.01.2008, 09:27

It makes me laugh when people say Stoner made all the difference. Have they got brains.

Emon · 11.01.2008, 09:49

i doubt they understand the sport like we do huh