Euro reports that he’s coming to replace Baz... I met him at GPs in the CRT days... how far he progressed was spectacular! He seems like a really good guy, like Bayliss, or all the great Americans. Hope he has fun and shines.
The commentators in the season finale said he was one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Looking forward to seeing him race here.
My experience is that he genuinely is and watching his tearful last race events were heartwarming. Im 6’2” and starved to weigh right at 170 for racing, was a 240 tackle in football previously, so I can relate to his struggles, making me like him all the more.
For the record I put his win in Italy against Dovi and Marquez in their prime form right up there with Imola 02, actually above it... One of my all time favorite races, as the good guy underdog gets his day.
I don’t know how to link it but the Ducatista site has posted that it is for sure. It’s been rumored for awhile and discussed in other threads. Also says it’ll be an Italian Corsa effort under the HSBK Warhorse banner.
I was informed by internet experts, maybe even here, that there's no way he'd be allowed to ride in MotoAmerica for Ducati, because he's riding for KTM in Dakar. So, obviously this rumor is all just lies and deception. lol
https://www.facebook.com/ilducatistacom/photos/a.432960980118030/4719517851462300/ probably just some bored eyetalians spreading ruhmrzzz
that was a direct quote from the man himself. but that was very early on and now it seems he is only signed for dakar and has (maybe) figured out how to do both
I would say that nothing will be signed until Dakar is done. I'm sure no team wants to sign him, until he is truly done and keeps fit to do MA season.
My Italian isn’t the best, but that’s what makes this announcement different. It’s from Italy and links him to the factory and a team of Italians, they happen to be running under the HBSK/warhorse banner. More like Ducati is coming racing MA, and bringing a motoGP race winner that has ridden everything to earn that spot. I really hope they can get a tire that works on it for him. We all saw what Baz did on Duc compliant tires. Sucks that the only reason Danilo lost his ride in GP was tires and now his success in MA is relying on that same thing.
I can't imagine Dunlop will just make tires that are more Ducati compliant. Since the Ducati seems to have (hit or miss) setup troubles in WSBK ,with the Pirellis it was designed for, I don't think they will beat the Attack team for the championship. Hopefully, he can be up there competing and win some races. It is pretty cool Ducati are putting this much effort into a national SBK series.
It's not totally about developing tires for a bike, it's always been having a team that can change the bike to adapt. Because Ducati hasn't been in MA much they are behind in development. And people expect them to be perfect at every event without a history of settings so it's a tough task And believe it or not all top level WSBK or even Motogp racers know how to set up a bike. Miller WSBK a few years ago a top rider shagged every rear they put on the bike. So I asked a Italian coworker what's up and he said for that guy does it everywhere, why would Miller be different?
I just want to see the gap closed to the Yamaha's. Possibly even a push for a occasional top spot on the podium. From a spectator point of view via LIVE it's not a very exciting race unless you focus on 3rd to 6th.