That would be cruel... but he may be that dejected. He made a comment reminiscent of Bayliss back when he was struggling on the Honda that if they could find someone to go faster than him to go ahead and do it.
Gotta feel for the guy...
Goodness, get on with it already. Normally I am not one to recommend throwing in the towel, but c'mon... its painfully obvious that Melandri isn't going to do anything with the DUC........
It's better for him if he quits after this race by his own decision, asks for a release from his Ducati contract and sit the season out or something. Sign next year back with Gresini to replace De Puniet. I do not care whom else they put on that Duc, but it ain't good for Marco and the GP9 is also not his style. His completely f**ed
"While the TV cameras were following Casey on his way to extending his lead at the top of the timing screens, they happened across a wince-inducing little drama. As Casey was coming out of the final corner, red indicators showing for fastest time through all three splits, he accelerated inside his team-mate Marco Melandri. The pictures showed Casey take a long look to his right then look ahead again while slowly and almost imperceptibly shaking his head. Mick Doohan couldn't have done it better."
"While the TV cameras were following Casey on his way to extending his lead at the top of the timing screens, they happened across a wince-inducing little drama. As Casey was coming out of the final corner, red indicators showing for fastest time through all three splits, he accelerated inside his team-mate Marco Melandri. The pictures showed Casey take a long look to his right then look ahead again while slowly and almost imperceptibly shaking his head. Mick Doohan couldn't have done it better."
That was because Melandri was on a cool-down lap and at a really stupid spot on the track. Stoner glares at anyone near the line and riding slowly.
marco was about as far off the line as he could get. casey was just being a dick, i really find it hard to root for him sometimes.
To my eyes Marco should have been low rather than the outside edge at the exit of a corner, but he was definitely trying to stay out of the way - and I agree about Stoner.
If true then it goes to show how much of a jerk Casey really is.
I'm sure it must be tough for Melandri as he knows what his abilities are and he's not able to showcase them on the Duc. It would be nice to see him back on a Honda (or at this point on any other bike). If he left the team now or worse is kicked off the team I wonder how this would effect his confidence going into next season?
willowracer630 - 22 June 2008 04:27 AM
Read this on soup:
"While the TV cameras were following Casey on his way to extending his lead at the top of the timing screens, they happened across a wince-inducing little drama. As Casey was coming out of the final corner, red indicators showing for fastest time through all three splits, he accelerated inside his team-mate Marco Melandri. The pictures showed Casey take a long look to his right then look ahead again while slowly and almost imperceptibly shaking his head. Mick Doohan couldn't have done it better."
Couldn't stand Stoner before and things like this make me like him even less.
garyb425 - 22 June 2008 08:13 AM
DamattaSpeed - 22 June 2008 08:09 AM
marco was about as far off the line as he could get. casey was just being a dick, i really find it hard to root for him sometimes.
To my eyes Marco should have been low rather than the outside edge at the exit of a corner, but he was definitely trying to stay out of the way - and I agree about Stoner.
I watched all the practices and qualifying on the computer and saw that moment when Stoner came by. You can see that in any series. I see Mladin do it all the time. One thing I heard that made me sit up was that besides the rumor of Marco getting dumped this week, was that Marco might go to Kawasaki to take West's seat. It was the first I had heard of Kawasaki entering the fold.
I watched all the practices and qualifying on the computer and saw that moment when Stoner came by. You can see that in any series. I see Mladin do it all the time. One thing I heard that made me sit up was that besides the rumor of Marco getting dumped this week, was that Marco might go to Kawasaki to take West's seat. It was the first I had heard of Kawasaki entering the fold.
If this is true, this is probably one of the dumber things he can do. If he is struggling on a bike that has shown to win races, he's going to ROT on the Kawi.
In fact, there's no where to go that could give him a better chance than on the Ducati. He's gotta suck it up and figure things out. Pouting is for losers.
neracer--it does happen in all series, i grant that, but of the times i have seen it, this was perhaps the most offensive. at donington, casey was destroying the field in qualifying, and this may have cost him a tenth at most--if any time at all. coupled with the fact that marco is a teammate who is typically running 2-3 seconds off him and is just mentally destroyed, it just seemed so unnecessary and unsporting a gesture.
i would bet my tax return against marco going directly to kwack this season. he may be faster than west with testing, but this would be getting thrown in the deep end given his lack of confidence.
marco needs a home where he can be loved. i am guessing that gresini may be his new home next season unless honda pay for nakano to stay there.
neracer--it does happen in all series, i grant that, but of the times i have seen it, this was perhaps the most offensive. at donington, casey was destroying the field in qualifying, and this may have cost him a tenth at most--if any time at all. coupled with the fact that marco is a teammate who is typically running 2-3 seconds off him and is just mentally destroyed, it just seemed so unnecessary and unsporting a gesture.
i would bet my tax return against marco going directly to kwack this season. he may be faster than west with testing, but this would be getting thrown in the deep end given his lack of confidence.
I hear what you're saying, but I don't think it was really hurting Stoner. I continued to watch him cut huge chunks of time each lap by once he retained the lead in qualifying. Yes, I agree Melandri shouldn't have been there but I don't think he was doing it on purpose to Stoner because it looked like he didn't know who was around him. Given the sound of those Ducati's live, it's hard to imagine anyone however not knowing one of them is coming after you!
I'm not saying the Kawasaki thing was going to happen but it was a hot topic I guess over there. Hopper honestly believed the bike was better than the Suzuki (even though he took big money), I think John and Marco could turn that program around given the fact of being healthy and the right people around them.
