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By Jamie
#205417
Stoner brands Rossi replacement 'a nobody'
Wed, 30 Jun 14:20:33 2010


Casey Stoner has branded FIAT Yamaha’s replacement for the injured Valentino Rossi ‘a nobody’ and an ‘atrocious’ choice – as the ever-outspoken Australian let rip with his feelings following the Assen outing on the calendar last weekend.
After moves to promote Colin Edwards from satellite squad Tech 3 to take Rossi’s place and substitute the American with current World Superbike Championship front-runner Cal Crutchlow fell through, Yamaha has brought in veteran test rider Wataru Yoshikawa to fill the void left by the record-breaking multiple MotoGP World Champion until the Italian is fit enough to return.
The Japanese ace has been tasked with aiding ‘future development’ of the pace-setting M1, but at 41 years of age, having not ridden at the upcoming circuits before and with just a single premier class start under his belt to-date – taking the chequered flag a distant twelfth in the 2002 Pacific Motorcycle Grand Prix on home turf at the Twin Ring Motegi – his credentials have been called into question by many. Stoner scarcely holds back when dismissing his recruitment as ‘atrocious’, opining that Yamaha should have ‘put anybody in that seat – but not a nobody’.
The 2007 MotoGP World Champion went on to slate current grid sizes as ‘a joke’ – with injuries meaning only 15 competitors lined up in the Netherlands on Sunday – and even allowing for championship organiser Dorna’s promise of a 22-strong field for 2011, Stoner argues more needs to be done and suggests the onus should be placed on the manufacturers and Suzuki in particular to provide more bikes.
“They need more bikes on the grid,” the Ducati star bluntly asserted, according to Visordown. “Suzuki need to be forced to put four bikes on the grid – they’ve got enough money, they’ve got enough chassis’. It’s just ridiculous – it should be a minimum of four. I don’t understand why companies don’t put last year’s bikes out there like they used to.
“Put more bikes on the grid, make more opportunities for teams. I’m sure there’s a way they can sort it out to run last year’s bikes, then smaller teams can grab a hold. It’s always been like that for years, but now it just seems to have disappeared.”

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Opinion: Nail on the head :)
User avatar
By headless
#205458
harsh
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By EwanM
#205495
So there are some big rumours heading around Moto GP atm.

Looks like Stoner may be off to Honda - but will it be along side Dov or Pedrosa?

Lorenzo is staying put with Spies moved alongside him and Cructhlow in at Tech 3.

Speculation is growing that Rossi is off to Ducatti.
User avatar
By headless
#205507
Rossi off to Ducati, Spies replace him
User avatar
By Jamie
#205530
So there are some big rumours heading around Moto GP atm.

Looks like Stoner may be off to Honda - but will it be along side Dov or Pedrosa?

Lorenzo is staying put with Spies moved alongside him and Cructhlow in at Tech 3.

Speculation is growing that Rossi is off to Ducatti.


I think that would be a nail on the head. Ducati will pay big for Rossi, I think he has proved him and Lorenzo cannot work together, so Yamaha are not a team, they are half a garage each. You cannot work like that, I think Rossi & Hayden are a good match. Crutchlow & Edwards is a good match, then Colin can actually out ride him. Spies & Lorezno I could see a good pairing, & Lorenzo could teach the young Texan, but i will support SPIES TILL I DIE YAHHHHH!!!!:whip:
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By Jamie
#205868
My 2 Fav's are up there, Ben is unstoppable so proud to be a fan :) He really is proving himself. I can't wait to see him again, racing? His style is amazing, Spanish weekend ay? Nadal & Lorenzo :) Now we just need Alonso to get in there....So funny that so many members were slating Spies? Now....I find myself seeing members choosing him.
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By Jamie
#205869
Rossi Next, Spies will over take Rossi if he keeps this up, i even think he could up end up 7th or 6th. :pray:
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By Jamie
#206147
Nobody reported Rossi's return to testing then?



I think it's just a show boat of when he could come back and to keep the Italian's happy, so they don't lose faith in him, he will feel pushed out for the fact Ben is already gunning for his spot, I'm not surprised with his Champion rides? But he will feel insecure, plus Lorenzo Yamaha's new Golden boy?
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By headless
#206152
It'll be a bit heroic
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By Jamie
#207036
It has been announced that as of the end of the 2010 season the Australian’s four-year association with Ducati will end. For the 2011 season Stoner will become a factory Honda rider.

Casey Stoner will ride for HRC next season after confirmation this morning (Friday, July 9th) that the 24 year-old Australian will end his association with Ducati at the end of the current campaign, bringing to a close a relationship that will have lasted four years and delivered a MotoGP World Championship title in his first season with the Italian factory.
Ducati announced that after “four years of extraordinary collaboration” the final race of the 2010 season at Valencia on November 7th would signal the end of a partnership that started in 2007, the season in which the Desmosedici GP7 made its debut in the new 800cc category and in which Stoner won the MotoGP title.
“I would like to thank Casey on behalf of our fans and our sponsors, but most of all on behalf of all the people working at Ducati,” commented Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse General Director. “The victories and emotions he gave us rewarded all the hard work and sacrifice we made. In these four years together we have had a lot of great moments. Securing the 2007 MotoGP World Championship title and the victory at Mugello in 2009 were moments that we will never forget. In Casey we not only found an incredibly talented rider, but also an honest and loyal guy and that’s why there will always be a strong and sincere bond between us, even as a competitor.”
Stoner said: “I must thank Ducati for giving me such a great opportunity to race and win with them over these past four years. They took a gamble when they signed me at the end of 2006 as I was unknown, but as we worked together we were able to win a Championship, many races and challenge for the Championship in the last two seasons. I have now decided to move on and I will have new challenges in the future and different obstacles to overcome, but I will not forget these years with Ducati and the people I have had the privilege to work so closely with. So a big thanks to Ducati and all our sponsors who we have shared success with while achieving lifelong goals.”
Shortly after Ducati’s announcement HRC confirmed that Stoner will be a factory Honda rider in next season’s team. Stoner joined Ducati in 2007 having rode for the LCR Honda team in his debut season in 2006.
“We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year,” said HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto. “Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team. In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship. HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up.”
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By Jamie
#207214
The reigning World Champion intends to make his competitive return to action at this weekend’s eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, pending approval from the circuit’s Chief Medical Officer on Thursday.

Valentino Rossi will make his return to action at this weekend’s eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, provided he receives clearance on Thursday from the Chief Medical Officer at Sachsenring.
Just six weeks after suffering a fractured right tibia at Mugello the Italian rider’s Fiat Yamaha team confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the 31 year-old and his medical team have decided that after four races out he is now ready to make his comeback. Test rider Wataru Yoshikawa, who stood in for Rossi at the previous round in Catalunya, will be again be ready to take the Italian’s place if needed.
"I'm really excited that my doctors think I can ride this weekend,” said Rossi, who has completed two private tests in the last week – at Misano last Wednesday and at Brno on Monday – to assess his level of fitness and comfort. “Tomorrow I will see the medical officer and then we will have the final decision.”
He continued: “I felt good on the R1 but I know my M1 at the track is a different thing and it will be hard for me, but I miss my bike and my team and I want to try. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in the paddock; I was tired of being at home! Wataru will be there as well so if there is a problem he will ride my bike again."
Rossi’s Team Manager Davide Brivio added: "Valentino has made big effort to be ready to race in Sachsenring this weekend. He really wanted to be back riding his M1 as soon as he could and so he's worked hard to make his recovery as quick as possible. We expect him to take a couple of races to be up to speed and competitive at the top after his injury, but it's very nice to see him back with us."
User avatar
By Hexagram
#207497
If Rossi takes a top 3 place given he broke his leg just 6 weeks ago, the man is god!
User avatar
By oaba09
#207502
If Rossi takes a top 3 place given he broke his leg just 6 weeks ago, the man is god!


Yup....a 5th place finish would be amazing, a 3rd place one would be God like....I'm just glad to see him back in action...
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