Last I read Sete wants to take some time to think after the test. That means he realized he is still fast, and now he has to decide whether or not he wants to stay at home.

There is space for him. At Kawi, at Gresini, at whomever the sattelite Ducati team will be. Aspar is talking to Ducati, and Bautista doesnt want to ride one... so Sete can step in and bring the big Spanish money Aspar needs. We shall see.

Also good to see though that the SBK times are not far off those of GP (ok, it is testing... but we arent talking 4 or 5 seconds or anything big like that).

Autosport is reporting that Melandri will step aside if Ducati can find someone faster.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68431

Yeah, while Ducati was saying that Melandri will be there next year, etc, etc, rumors are that Melandri will probably not be riding a Ducati by the end of THIS season. I doubt either side will have a problem with that.

Could happen... but I don't think Melandri would leave mid season unless a bike opens up for him (West at Kawi, Nakano at Gresini, DePuniet at LCR). Yeah, it could work out.

And that would all make sense. As to why they ran Gibbers at the test, and why he needed to think so much about just testing again. Maybe they offered him more than just a test.

But they are hot to give Canepa a shot as well. Oh, and isn't there a certain Mr. Biaggi who is out of contention for the WSBK title? Shuffle that deck!

My bet is Rossi still has his head. He'd be better off staying retired.

I also read Melandri has literally asked Duc to find a better rider so he can quit.

I can see Anderson's point. However the other side of the equation is, I would love to see Sete get into Rossi's head again and create the diversion and entertainment for the cause of the sport. And lord knows what would happen if Sete suddenly starts running with Stoner making things pretty tough on Rossi, Pedrosa, & whiney boy [then he'll really be cryin]. Is Sete capable of winning races on the Duc? I think so.

Gibbers from trackside. "D@amn these GP riders are a lot younger than I remember!!!"


By weslake at 2008-06-20

Thanks KK

Your to much Anderson! Isn't that Ben when he was young? Almost draggin an elbow! and buns & bars!

i haven't posted on the melandri situation, so here is a little go at it. i honestly am quite disappointed at the performance coming out of him, just not gelling with the bike it seems, i just don't see why he can't ride it. i mean does it perfectly suit stoner?, but i also feel bad for the guy too, i mean he has to be trying as much as possible but nothing is happening. it sucks, especially being a ducati fan, and moto gp fan, melandri was regarded as one of the top riders, but that is all in shambles as of right now. i wouldn't mind seeing a change, because obviously it just is not working, and they cannot seem to find a solution. but that would be sick to see gibernau back on a ducati satellite. it would be particularly interesting on a factory, because stoner was his replacement. but if gibernau can get at 1:51.7, after a year and a half off, than that is a very good sign, that he still does have a future at ducati.

sete "needing to think about it" sounds like a no go to me. if he were going into the test with a ready to return attitude i doubt we'd hear about him needing to think about it unless that's code for "how much are you gonna pay me"... which, i suppose, it easily could be.

i'll hope for the latter