Ok, the latest from Motosprint (as from everywhere else) is that Marco will be with Ducati at least for Germany and Laguna. After that he will probably leave, but is still isn't 100%.
Ducati are serious about giving him one last chance, and both he and Elias will have the new software that works so well with the variable intake system (or at least that works so well for Stoner). So obviously they are serious about giving him a last shot if they are giving him the latest and best equipment.
I don't know if the Australian guys mentioned it, but the big development that has pushed Stoner to the front is about the variable length intake trumpets. The idea isn't new, but apparently Ducati was able to perfect a software what makes them very usable and exploitable. The didn't say whether or not Melandri had the choice of using this software in the past, just that he will have it for Germany and Laguna. (Sorry Italiapower, no other big tech articles this week... and I haven't finished reading the one on the intake).
Anyway, if things don't work out the expected move is Melandri to Kwak on a third bike (with Barthomey from Kwak having presented the plan to the big Jap bosses last week). The third bike will basically be OJ's test bike, with his test team members and support making up Melandri's team.
Sete is odd's on for taking the Ducati seat. Ducati are very big on Canepa right now, but don't want to risk throwing him into the deep end. They are saying he will race for Ducati next year, but they haven't decided yet whether it will be in WSBK or MotoGP. They are hesistant about GP cause he is still so young.
But Ducati basically plans to make the 'satellite' team a junior team. They plan to give them close to full factory support (as they say D'antin is getting now) and they want two young riders on the bikes to gain experience. Front runners for the seats are Canepa, Bautista, Simoncelli, and Kalio. Elias is still in the mix as he is still relatively young.
The latest target for WSBK is big Col Edwards. Ducati want him to be the new Troy. Either way, Ducati say they DEFINATELY want at least one anglo/aussie/american on the factory WSBK team. That obviously leaves only one seat for an Italian.
The contestants for the white boy seat are Edwards, Nicky, Vermulen (and they would take Spies if he was willing). So for the other seat (the guido seat) that leaves Canepa, Biaggi and Fabrizio.
Tech 3 wants Edwards and is asking Yam for money to help keep him. Edwards is supposedly asking for 2 million (not sure Euro or dollars) for next year. If not they are talking to Simoncelli, Kalio and Bautista.
Oh, and just to bring things completely off topic... Simoncelli is gonna get a factory Aprilia RSA for Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have a good feeling for the 2nd ducati seat next year, as with the satellites. it surer will be interesting. it is awhile away, but i'm sure excited for it.
I think your assessment of Melandri's plight is right. But in terms of what has improved Stoner's bike it's more than just variable intake system its the Traction Control System and other engine management components. The bike appears to be a lot smoother in and out of turns and have more power.
The potential line-ups for Ducati and Yamaha seem about right. Would like to see Biaggi on the factory Ducati but he has some stiff competition.
robertorolfo - 08 July 2008 08:29 AM
Ok, the latest from Motosprint (as from everywhere else) is that Marco will be with Ducati at least for Germany and Laguna. After that he will probably leave, but is still isn't 100%.
Ducati are serious about giving him one last chance, and both he and Elias will have the new software that works so well with the variable intake system (or at least that works so well for Stoner). So obviously they are serious about giving him a last shot if they are giving him the latest and best equipment.
I don't know if the Australian guys mentioned it, but the big development that has pushed Stoner to the front is about the variable length intake trumpets. The idea isn't new, but apparently Ducati was able to perfect a software what makes them very usable and exploitable. The didn't say whether or not Melandri had the choice of using this software in the past, just that he will have it for Germany and Laguna. (Sorry Italiapower, no other big tech articles this week... and I haven't finished reading the one on the intake).
Anyway, if things don't work out the expected move is Melandri to Kwak on a third bike (with Barthomey from Kwak having presented the plan to the big Jap bosses last week). The third bike will basically be OJ's test bike, with his test team members and support making up Melandri's team.
Sete is odd's on for taking the Ducati seat. Ducati are very big on Canepa right now, but don't want to risk throwing him into the deep end. They are saying he will race for Ducati next year, but they haven't decided yet whether it will be in WSBK or MotoGP. They are hesistant about GP cause he is still so young.
But Ducati basically plans to make the 'satellite' team a junior team. They plan to give them close to full factory support (as they say D'antin is getting now) and they want two young riders on the bikes to gain experience. Front runners for the seats are Canepa, Bautista, Simoncelli, and Kalio. Elias is still in the mix as he is still relatively young.
The latest target for WSBK is big Col Edwards. Ducati want him to be the new Troy. Either way, Ducati say they DEFINATELY want at least one anglo/aussie/american on the factory WSBK team. That obviously leaves only one seat for an Italian.
The contestants for the white boy seat are Edwards, Nicky, Vermulen (and they would take Spies if he was willing). So for the other seat (the guido seat) that leaves Canepa, Biaggi and Fabrizio.
Tech 3 wants Edwards and is asking Yam for money to help keep him. Edwards is supposedly asking for 2 million (not sure Euro or dollars) for next year. If not they are talking to Simoncelli, Kalio and Bautista.
Oh, and just to bring things completely off topic... Simoncelli is gonna get a factory Aprilia RSA for Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't seen an official report but would guess that a "junior factory" would replace D'Antin/Alice. But would make more sense that the Alice team would be the jr team maybe run by Aspar as he's interested in entering MotoGP.
Chaos - 10 July 2008 01:33 PM
Interesting...
2 factory Ducatis and 2 'junior factory' ducatis for next season. I wonder if those are in addition to, or to replace D'Antin.
D'antin is gone. Effective immediately. And may I just say, GOOD RIDDANCE! (however you spell it). D'antin was a total hack, and it was a shame that he was around for so long. The guy is responsable for ruining more careers than anyone in the padock, and the fact that guys like Pons and Roberts lost their teams while he was still there just made me sick.
Anyway, the team was a joint operation between D'antin and Pramac. What Pramac's race operations really consist of is unclear... but they will go the rest of the year without D'antin.
Ducati want a Junior team for next season, and are just trying to figure out who will run it. Aspar is in the mix, as is Pramac, as is the idea of spliting it into two single rider outfits. Either way, they are trying to sweet talk Alice into staying. Alice paid big money to the team this season, and are not happy about the results.
Marc, if you read what I wrote (or rather translated from Motosprint), it said that the variable intake was not the breakthrough, it was the software that allowed them to use it properly. I'm not sure if that falls under TC or what... but it is an electronic thing. And we all know how Casey loves his gadgets.
