Rossi ready to consider Ducati move

By Michele Lostia and Pablo ElizaldeFriday, November 9th 2007, 11:20 GMT
http://www.autosport.com/images/upload/1192962242.jpgSeven-time champion Valentino Rossi is ready to consider a future outside Yamaha if next year's bike doesn't prove competitive enough.
The Italian rider struggled to match Ducati rival Casey Stoner's form this year, with the Australian going on to take 10 victories on his way to the title.
Rossi won just four races and finished in third place in the standings after retiring from the last race, where he needed just one point to secure the runner-up spot, with mechanical problems.
The Yamaha rider has a contract with his team until the end of next season, but Rossi admits he will consider his options if the new bike fails to impress him.
"Let's see how this devilish engine improves. If it improves then we can wait one more year," the Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If there's nothing to do, amen. I have a good relationship with both, but I'd certainly like Ducati because they're Italian."
Rossi believes Stoner would have no problems partnering him at Ducati.
"I don't think he'd say no," Rossi said. "Maybe he'd like to fight with the same bike. OK, that's a big one..."
He added: "Stoner is not an overnight sensation, but to be the new Valentino he needs to win more, by fighting hard against Valentino and against Pedrosa too. In any case he won't be the new Valentino, he will be Stoner."
Rossi also reckons both Honda and Yamaha underestimated Ducati this year, with the Italian bike's engine showing it was a step ahead of its rivals.
"All the Japanese manufacturers have," he said. "Ducati have been intelligent and aggressive and they have worked better. We were competitive against Honda, but they have the money and the people to recover in a short time, something which Yamaha have lacked."
Rossi won the titles with Yamaha in 2004 and 2005, but has been beaten in the past two seasons. The Italian reckons Yamaha now need more resources in order to fight on top.
"Yamaha has never been the quickest bike but this year we were even 15-20 km/h slower," he said. "We have suffered from the reduction of fuel capacity: each time we tried to do something we broke down.
"If I want to win they must make some important changes. We need more capable people and more money."
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Interesting because it has been clearly stated that Rossi would never be on a Ducati for many reasons int he past... I guess things change. :)

p.s. I don't think Stoner would let Rossi be on the same team though....

Interesting read...I cant believe he would undermine his team by stating he is looking to go else where before the season even starts though. I really do not get how he thinks in terms of his team some times. I always liked Valentino, never one of my favorite riders, but liked him, until all this I, I, I, and me, me, me $hit started. Just not my style but hopefully it works for him I guess.

I think it's a way of putting more pressure on his team.

Stoner and Melandri, have multi year contract with the Factory Ducati team, so unless he is going to a satellite team, I don't see the move happening.

Stoner and Melandri, have multi year contract with the Factory Ducati team, so unless he is going to a satellite team, I don't see the move happening.

He's Valentino Rossi, they will add a third bike because he deserves it. :lmao


sorry, couldnt resist. :rofl

the only thing that is guaranteed is that things change..... Rossi to Ducati in 09? Anything is possible...

i would to see him on a duc

http://www.autosport.com/images/space.gif http://www.autosport.com/images/space.gifDucati boss cautious on Rossi future talk

By Michele Lostia and Pablo ElizaldeMonday, November 12th 2007, 12:06 GMT
Ducati team boss Livio Suppo was cautious when responding to Valentino Rossi's comments, in which the Italian rider hinted at a future with the team.
Rossi suggested he is ready to leave Yamaha at the end of 2008 if his bike doesn't prove competitive next season.
"If it gets better I can wait another year. If not there is nothing left to do," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have a good relationship with both (Ducati and Honda), but definitely I would prefer Ducati because they are Italian."
Suppo knows Italian fans would welcome the move, but the Ducati boss is cautious about the prospect of the seven-time champion riding for them.
"It's definitely too early to talk about 2009," Suppo told Gazzetta dello Sport. "And then I must be careful: whether I say a yes or a no, it will be interpreted in any case in a misleading way.
"I can certainly say that, from some fringes of our fans, we get the request, or rather the desire, to see Rossi on our bike, in order to come up with a fight with Stoner on truly equal footing.
"We've never talked about it explicitly, but like every racing rider, Stoner has always made it clear that as far as he's concerned he can be teamed up with anyone. In my opinion he is in such a state of grace that he wouldn't be afraid to be challenged.
"We have a deal for the next two years with Marco Melandri, we count a lot on him, and a three-year deal with Stoner. We'd like to extend it with Casey (Stoner), and maybe he'd like that too, as one of his idols is Mick Doohan, who was always with Honda.
"Anything can change, but Casey seems willing to go his way with us."
Suppo also denied rumours that Ducati are preparing a third bike for Rossi for 2008.
"I've heard this rumour too and I really can't figure out where it originated from," he added. "I don't think something like this could be done without me knowing about it. So I say that it's absolutely impossible, for the simple reason that the bike doesn't exist.
"The parts to build it have simply not been ordered. At the moment the mechanics are building the bikes, but they are Casey's and Marco's which will have their debut at the end of the month in Jerez."
He added: "That was an operation meant to be done with Loris (Capirossi), who had been with us for five years, from our debut to now. Frankly thinking of something like that seems hasty to me. At least at the moment: Valentino himself says that it's absurd. Season apart, let's call it a mid-summer dream.
"I'm happy about the 9 (marks out of 10) Rossi gave us: it shows the appreciation for the work done this year. Besides, it's true that that admiration goes two-ways.
"However, if he marked his season with an 8, he should have given Casey a 10 since he has made no mistakes."
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I Hope he gets to F*ck Stoner's Girl too!...........:mrgreen

I Hope he gets to F*ck Stoner's Girl too!...........:mrgreen

not a chance. uccio won't let him:nono

not a chance. uccio won't let him:nono


:rofl

not a chance. uccio won't let him:nono

I concur , hence my siggy :mock

i'd love to see stoner and rossi on the same bike...i think rossi would win, but i wouldn't be drop dead shocked if stoner edged him out. Yami has got to be pissed though. Hearing from their top rider that yami needs more money and more people who know what they are doing. I think rossi is just beyond pissed at this point and doesn't care if he offends anyone. I'm sure it's breaking the "team" apart though as you stated kwcomp.

But stoner is soo used to that Bike.....
Plus he's the defending Champ!

I Think Ducati might be in for a Great season next year....
Plus i dont see any type of team riding going on unless its these two
pushing each other faster and faster around the track lap for lap!

says it all really:rofl

^ :lmao

stoner would more likely slit his wrist than admit that if rossi was on a ducky his ass would be runner up.

I don't see why people think Valentino would be the automatic winner. Sure, he's bad ass and won 7 ( 5 if you ask me ) championships, but he won those with different people challenging him than what he has to deal with now, so while all those titles are nice ,they don't do jack shiat for the " right now ". Hell, how many times have I said it , and I'll say it again , he went into the last race of the year last year as the points leader for the championship and CHOKED. He's awesome, but he's only human, I wouldn't rule out Stoner kicking his tail by any means.

why do you say he only won 5 championships?

why do you say he only won 5 championships?

I don't think the 250 titles should hold as much esteem as the 500cc or MotoGP titles, I think I'd rather have 1 MotoGP championship than 100 250's

actually he won 1x 125 and 1x 250. these formula are the breeding/tranng ground for most up and coming riders. some of the hardest & best racing are in these formula i suggest you take a look when you can. useing your analogy is a bit like saying ama/bsb don't count, only wsb does.

actually he won 1x 125 and 1x 250. these formula are the breeding/tranng ground for most up and coming riders. some of the hardest & best racing are in these formula i suggest you take a look when you can. useing your analogy is a bit like saying ama/bsb don't count, only wsb does.

I don't think that AMA and BSB are on the same level as WSB either ?

Is it not like NASCAR , where you have Featherlite , Busch and Nextel ?

I don't see why people think Valentino would be the automatic winner. Sure, he's bad ass and won 7 ( 5 if you ask me ) championships, but he won those with different people challenging him than what he has to deal with now, so while all those titles are nice ,they don't do jack shiat for the " right now ". Hell, how many times have I said it , and I'll say it again , he went into the last race of the year last year as the points leader for the championship and CHOKED. He's awesome, but he's only human, I wouldn't rule out Stoner kicking his tail by any means.

Yes he choked and made mistakes from time to time, nobody ever said he will never make mistakes, so not sure what you're trying to get here. Like I said before, it seems like winning 5 or 7 titles aren't enough to prove something to some people. Not only myself, but a lot of other Rossi fans here have give Stoner a lot of credit for beating everyone, including Rossi, and winning the title this year. I think you're just pissed that a lot of people didn't really give much credit to Nicky. Like Gustav O said on SBF, anyone would have been questioned if they have won it like Nicky did, especially when this year he isn't exactly having the greatest season, so it's hard for to us not to feel that way.

Yes he choked and made mistakes from time to time, nobody ever said he will never make mistakes, so not sure what you're trying to get here.

I'm not trying to " get to " anything other than Rossi is not a definite win " if him and casey were on the same bike ".

Like I said before, it seems like winning 5 or 7 titles aren't enough to prove something to some people.

Those titles are great, unfortunately you can't install 5 or 7 championship trophies on your bike and have it make any performance difference on your riding in the " here and now ", or any bearing against your current competitors that weren't racing MotoGP when you won those.

Obviously it can make a difference when you stamp your feet and cry for a tire because " their tires are better, I want those tires ". I hope Michelin wipes the floor with Bridgestones next year.


Not only myself, but a lot of other Rossi fans here have give Stoner a lot of credit for beating everyone, including Rossi, and winning the title this year.

If 2006 never happened, and we could replace 2006 with 2007, you can bet your last dollar that Rossi fans would've been screaming just as loud if not even louder as when Nicky beat Rossi. Not only would Rossi have " crap luck " and " bad tires " and a " bad bike " , but there would've been the excuse of the Ducati's domination as well.

I think you're just pissed that a lot of people didn't really give much credit to Nicky.

You're partially right, but I'm only pissed about the people that have their heads so far up Rossi's ass that they think he can walk on water and never make any mistakes. Those would be the same people who apply the infamous Rossi Double Standard in every racing debate.

I'd be pissed about that even if it were happening to someone other than Nicky. I lost about as much respect for Nicky as possible without it becoming " dislike " as you can after his post season antics last year. Kinda rivals Rossi's diva'ish attitude this year, but for a different reason.

I'm not trying to " get to " anything other than Rossi is not a definite win " if him and casey were on the same bike ".

:imwst I agree bigtime.


Those titles are great, unfortunately you can't install 5 or 7 championship trophies on your bike and have it make any performance difference on your riding in the " here and now ", or any bearing against your current competitors that weren't racing MotoGP when you won those.

I agree here too, and the best part is that the Rossi double standard applies here more than anywhere else "greatest of all time" puh-lease, who can make that assertion? Better than Agostini's like 95+% win rate? I think not. Then comes the "well you can't compare between eras!!!"

guess what guys... Rossi aint champ now, his era is at least on pause, if not stopped altogether.

I agree here too, and the best part is that the Rossi double standard applies here more than anywhere else "greatest of all time" puh-lease, who can make that assertion? Better than Agostini's like 95+% win rate? I think not. Then comes the "well you can't compare between eras!!!"

guess what guys... Rossi aint champ now, his era is at least on pause, if not stopped altogether.

Really? You should check the record book again, compare them both, Rossi has already surpassed Agostini in number of podiums in the premier class, and 6 more wins he will be tied with Agostini for the most wins...

http://www.sportbikeforum.net/showthread.php?t=24137

puh-lease? Honestly, I don't think there is any problem to compare them both when you look at the numbers, they're like in the top 2 on the list in the entire racing history, so calling him a GOAT candidate is definitely not outrageous... :fact

:r1lover

I'm not trying to " get to " anything other than Rossi is not a definite win " if him and casey were on the same bike ".

Those titles are great, unfortunately you can't install 5 or 7 championship trophies on your bike and have it make any performance difference on your riding in the " here and now ", or any bearing against your current competitors that weren't racing MotoGP when you won those.

I don't understand though, we never said Casey is not good, at least I didn't. Yes it's unfortunate that Rossi didn't do well this year, but I accept that he got defeated. However, it seems like all the non-Rossi fans are trying to blame 100% on him while even a blind man can see the Yamaha/Michelin package is probably the worst package out of the Japanese brands this year, and the non-Rossi fans don't accept that, not even a little bit. What bothers me is the fact that you guys actually think the Yamaha/Michelin package is working very well while it broke down many times and all the other Michelin riders on the field are also complaining about the tires. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying it's 100% Yamaha/Michelin fault either, this is what you guys don't understand. And sometimes I think you guys are just taking a few phrases out of context and just focus on these phrases and make a big deal out of it... :fact

I don't understand though, we never said Casey is not good, at least I didn't. Yes it's unfortunate that Rossi didn't do well this year, but I accept that he got defeated. However, it seems like all the non-Rossi fans are trying to blame 100% on him while even a blind man can see the Yamaha/Michelin package is probably the worst package out of the Japanese brands this year, and the non-Rossi fans don't accept that, not even a little bit. What bothers me is the fact that you guys actually think the Yamaha/Michelin package is working very well while it broke down many times and all the other Michelin riders on the field are also complaining about the tires. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying it's 100% Yamaha/Michelin fault either, this is what you guys don't understand. And sometimes I think you guys are just taking a few phrases out of context and just focus on these phrases and make a big deal out of it... :fact


:+1 x 10


Very well said Vale........ It seems the anti Rossi fan's are taking this a little too far... but then again how many chances have they had to bag on Rossi? the last two years... that's it...

:+1 x 10


Very well said Vale........ It seems the anti Rossi fan's are taking this a little too far... but then again how many chances have they had to bag on Rossi? the last two years... that's it...

keep in mind, some of us are NOT anti-Rossi fans.....

just because i don't like some of the stuff he's doing doesn't make me an anti-fan. i DO like Rossi, and I've never said otherwise. everyone has positive and negative comments about riders and MotoGP in general.

you can't make that generalization.....:mrgreen

I didn't put you in that group... ;) :)

I didn't put you in that group... ;) :)

from reading your post, you didn't put anybody in that group...viewed it as a generalization. :poke :mrgreen

...He's awesome, but he's only human...

Forgot to mention something, I've heard you and many other anti-Rossi fans said this many times. Yes, you keep on saying he's only human, which I completely agree, however it seems like you are having problems accepting that humans have emotions... after two years of having some bad luck and problems, it is not ok to have feelings and complain about something? :rolleyes In 2006, the M1/Michelin failed on him a few times, he kept on riding, in 2007, things got even worst. So you're telling me if you're in his shoes, you wouldn't complain at all, not even a single bit? I think not. :fact

You guys keep on saying Nicky kept his mouth shut and took it like a champion. BS! We all know very well why he is keeping his mouth shut. With his results this year, he doesn't really have much choice other than keeping his mouth shut, cause he knows if he didn't he will ended up like Biaggi... :fact We all know how Honda treats their riders, but ever since AMA, he would never tell it like it is and always try to protect/promo Honda in all his interviews, every 10 words, you can hear the word "Honda" at least 3 times... if he really have the ballz, take the challenge elsewhere and stop kissing Honda's arse, then maybe people will have much more respect for him... :fact

Said it before, and it's worth repeating again:

I just think all pro level racers and athletes forget the fact that they're given an incredible opportunity that all but a select few will ever know. Instead of pissing and moaning about how bad they have it (not enough money, bad support, bad team mates, not enough recognition, etc), they should all just STFU and appreciate what it is they have and do what they're paid to do.

If you don't like the ride you're on, work with the team behind closed doors to resolve them. Work with the engineers, mechanics, etc to improve on it. Offer up suggestions, what you'd like to see, etc. Break it down by three categories: What can be immediately improved, what will take time to correct, and "nice to have". All three in order of precedence, and an overall "must have" while working on items individually.

By airing dirty laundry and speaking the way Rossi and others are, it's becoming too much of a bitch fest. There's always problems no matter where you go, but does it mean that they need to be aired out to the fan base? Hell no.

They all need to stop thumping their chests and screaming as loud as they can "Me racer, me know best! I go elsewhere if I don't get my way!"

Said it before, and it's worth repeating again:

I just think all pro level racers and athletes forget the fact that they're given an incredible opportunity that all but a select few will ever know. Instead of pissing and moaning about how bad they have it (not enough money, bad support, bad team mates, not enough recognition, etc), they should all just STFU and appreciate what it is they have and do what they're paid to do.

If you don't like the ride you're on, work with the team behind closed doors to resolve them. Work with the engineers, mechanics, etc to improve on it. Offer up suggestions, what you'd like to see, etc. Break it down by three categories: What can be immediately improved, what will take time to correct, and "nice to have". All three in order of precedence, and an overall "must have" while working on items individually.

By airing dirty laundry and speaking the way Rossi and others are, it's becoming too much of a bitch fest. There's always problems no matter where you go, but does it mean that they need to be aired out to the fan base? Hell no.

They all need to stop thumping their chests and screaming as loud as they can "Me racer, me know best! I go elsewhere if I don't get my way!"

fjorn, I don't disagree with you at all. However I think it's easier for us to say this than done since we're not in their positions. Maybe it does take some public pressure to make something to happen. I mean I'm sure they tried to resolve everything they can in closed doors. Nobody would want to have bad relations in between team crews. I think most of the time when a racer takes it to the public is because nothing is in progress or being done.

:)

It's not as difficult as it may seem Val. I'm not saying they haven't tried to work things out behind closed doors. But, IMO, what Rossi is saying now is pretty much the same thing he said when he was getting ready to leave Honda.

I'm not faulting him to want to be on a very well working machine with a good support team behind him. I'm faulting him (and others) for the way most of them act when it comes to difficult times.

Well since you want to keep elaborating on it , I was done with it , but I enjoy a good debate amongst friends.

First , I'm not an " anti-Rossi fan ", I would say that I'm an anti-Rossi's-typical-fan fan , and no I don't consider you one of those that thinks he walks on water, i just think you use a double standard on a lot of occasions. Admitting Rossi's failures from time to time doesn't mean you don't have a biased and extremely open opinion of him.

Secondly, no I don't have a problem accepting that humans have emotions, I have a problem with a lack of professionalism and gratitude. Coming out in public and bitching and moaning about you'll take your toys and go elsewhere is pathetic. At best. Sure, I'd say something, just like when I disagree with something in my line of work, I say something, but I always call whoever it is into their office or off to the side. Haven't you ever heard of " Praise in public, discipline in private " ? Instead of saying publicly that he'll leave if they don't get their shit straight, he should be saying something like " We have a lot of work to do , but that's why I'm here, I have faith in Yamaha that we will overcome this problem as a team and be back in 2008 to dominate once again ". And then I'd grab my crew chief and his boss and take them to their office and tell them to get their shit together or they could jam that M1 up their ass piece by piece while I rode somewhere else in 2009.

Like it or not , Rossi is the employee ,and as such and with his high price tag, he gets paid to be the " face of Yamaha racing " right now. He needs to act like it and be grateful he's cashing those checks instead of acting like a selfish child.

I don't think I've ever said anything about Nicky not running his mouth, but if I did , it would be for the above mentioned reasons and not because " he didn't have a leg to stand on ". He beat the entire MotoGP field , including Rossi last year, that's the only leg he needed to stand on for 2007 :fact

However, I don't think that publicly he would say " shit " if he were standing knee deep in it. I also think though, that he's not been consumed by arrogance to the point where he's still grateful to be where he's at, remembers how he got there and what it took to get there.

Statements like " I'm Valentino Rossi, so I deserve.... " don't exactly convey those characteristics.


Forgot to mention something, I've heard you and many other anti-Rossi fans said this many times. Yes, you keep on saying he's only human, which I completely agree, however it seems like you are having problems accepting that humans have emotions... after two years of having some bad luck and problems, it is not ok to have feelings and complain about something? :rolleyes In 2006, the M1/Michelin failed on him a few times, he kept on riding, in 2007, things got even worst. So you're telling me if you're in his shoes, you wouldn't complain at all, not even a single bit? I think not. :fact

You guys keep on saying Nicky kept his mouth shut and took it like a champion. BS! We all know very well why he is keeping his mouth shut. With his results this year, he doesn't really have much choice other than keeping his mouth shut, cause he knows if he didn't he will ended up like Biaggi... :fact We all know how Honda treats their riders, but ever since AMA, he would never tell it like it is and always try to protect/promo Honda in all his interviews, every 10 words, you can hear the word "Honda" at least 3 times... if he really have the ballz, take the challenge elsewhere and stop kissing Honda's arse, then maybe people will have much more respect for him... :fact

Since we're now saying he's just a regular employee, then why dont we put it this way:

At work, I get pissed with all manner of things. I try and get things improved, but if they dont improve, then I look at my options. I'm not a world champion at what I do, and I dont command a world champions pay packet, however I do have SOME value to my employers.

I'm happy to discuss things with them, but at the end of the day, if I'm not happy, I'll leave.

In this regard, I dont think Rossi is any different to any other employee.