MotoGP 2019 Silly Season

I believe the phrase the kids are using these days is "he's got f*ck you money".

 

Well, I guess Ducati has to recoup all that money they pissed away on Rossi and Raper face somehow.

 

He fast enough to qualify for the grid legally. And it's not like he's taking the seat out from under a promising young talent, or old fan favorite. What's the problem?

 

If they could fill that seat with a faster rider who brings that kind of cash they would.

 

Stoner questions MotoGP role: "Ducati doesn't use my feedback"



By: Valentin Khorounzhiy
3h ago

Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner says he is unlikely to continue in his current test role with Ducati because the manufacturer doesn't use his feedback.

Motorsport.com reported earlier this year that the 32-year-old, who walked away from a full-time MotoGP ride in 2012 and joined Ducati as a test rider and ambassador in 2016, would not be extending his current deal with the Italian manufacturer.

While its two works riders look unlikely to challenge Marc Marquez for this year's title, Ducati's Desmosedici GP18 bike is among the strongest on the grid, and the Borgo Panigale firm looks well-placed to fight for its first title since Stoner's 2007 championship going forward.

However, the Australian has admitted in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport that he was unlikely to continue in the programme as he felt Ducati was not making the most of his contributions.

“Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to celebrate another title with Ducati,” Stoner said.

“But I feel I can't give anything more than what I already have, since it seems that they don't use the data and the feedback I give them.

“I've long suggested changes they seem reluctant to make. And if they don't use my data and my feedback, I don't feel like taking the risk of testing – because to get results you have to ride close to the limit.”

Ducati was keen to keep Stoner in an ambassadorial role should he withdraw from his testing duties, but the two-time champion has made it clear he is not keen on such an arrangement.

“I came back to Ducati to work hard and help it win another world championship, not to just be a poster boy for the company,” he said.

Stoner has not run the Desmosedici GP18 since testing at Sepang at the start of the year. He sat out much of the campaign while recovering from an operation on his right shoulder.

“The shoulder is not an obstacle to testing with Ducati, I'm already training and doing motocross,” Stoner explained.

“The recover is in line with the timing planned with Ducati after the Sepang test.”

 

What's really odd is that Stoner's complaints this time around sound eerily similar to his complaints when he left Honda a few years ago. What's his play now; go to Yamaha and try to help Rossi win a 10th title?

 

How is he not? He gets rides because he has cash. Who is a team in need of cash going to take, Abraham and his checkbook or take a chance on a fast but broke moto2 rider?

I understand why their are paid for rides, doesn't mean I have to like 'em.

 

It's not like he's 5-10 seconds a lap off the pace. He's within the qualification requirement. Doesn't really get lapped any more than some of the other riders in his tier. He's a valid rider. Were you this upset at Edwards for his overstaying his position on the grid too?

 

Didnt Honda do that with Rossi. They felt the bike was most important part and that any rider could win on it. Yamaha wanted and used the rider feedback.

I hope Stoner gets on a Yamaha. He has some skill to share!!

 

Faster than Redding!

 

and Simeon and Luthi. Hell, he even out qualified Bautista a few times this year. He also qualified last a time or two soooo...

 

So how about he comes to the Moto America grid and takes Rogers seat?

 

DP26 to become a KTM Test Rider

https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/pedrosa-to-join-ktm-in-test-role/3174531/

 

And I don't recall him running his mouth about his bike, team, or any other rider.

 

That'd be cool as f@ck and great FU to Puig but we'll see. I can't help but wonder if his tiny size and weight would actually be a huge help.

 

The brit broadcast team (Hodgey) was saying that the rumor in the paddock was that CS27 was going to Honda for a test role.

 

Ducati didn't need Stoner anymore because the have Lorenzo .

But they will want him for next year. I'm willing to bet if he goes and tests for Honda again then they'll just look at his data and do the same thing: claim it's "amazing" but not do shit with it. They'll have the two best riders in the world on their team.

 

Jeez...Stoner, Lorenzo, and Marquez!! Good luck rest of the grid.

Plus they have Cal for paint chip R&D

 

Can try that new self-healing paint?

 

KTM 's taking all the right steps