Hayden will not ride for Ducati factory in MotoGP next year

[pontifex]

The speculation is now official: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...eat/23068.html


Sounds like he could be back in WSBK? Hopefully not on a Panigale.

[I8A4RE]

I agree. Hopefully not. As the old gp bike had no real frame, the 1199 does not either so I would assume it is not as good. If he does go to WSBK, I think he should be on an RSV4 (they will have either an updated one in 2014 or 2015, sources go to those years) or if yamaha comes back to wsbk in 2014 they will have a new R1 coming out, or ..... It would be awesome if he got a ride on tech 3 !!!!! He is a great rider, he would be good on it.

[Slowpoke387]

Get Hayden back on a real bike, the poor kid's better than this. I for one think it's a blessing for him. Maybe the money won't be as good but I'm thinking he's got plenty of money by now. When he looks back he may regret holding out so long beating a dead horse.

[Woodsy]

Get Hayden back on a real bike, the poor kid's better than this.

I have a feeling we will be saying the same thing about Dovi in a couple of years

[Karate.Snoopy]

Who will be taking his spot on the Duc next year. Cal, Espargaro or one of the Moto2 boys may be?
I think Cal might move to the Duc and Pol Espargaro might take his spot on the Tech 3.

[Slowpoke387]

Yes definitely. It's gotta be tough because they lure them in with lots of money and a dream.

[warsaw1776]

As i said in another thread, Ducati would prob be faster if the raced a stock 1199r in GP. I feel bad for Hayden but hopefully it will work out for him. I really doubt tech 3 though. Between the two espargaros, redding, and Cal staying, I feel like it's pretty unlikely. I bet he will either retire or go the Colin Edwards route and just ride anything to stay in GP. Which is sad because he is too good of a rider to be on crap. Perhaps something will happen with Spies tho, medical retirement or something, that would open another slow seat at Ducati hopefully increasing his options.

[Karate.Snoopy]

What about Suzuki picking him up? I do not like that prospect either but hey if he wants to stay in MotoGP that bad, that might have to do. Aarghh all this speculation..

[jwm2k3]

If I were Hayden, Id jump back to Honda in WSBK. But Im betting he goes to Ducati WSBK team...

[Karate.Snoopy]

If I were Hayden, Id jump back to Honda in WSBK. But Im betting he goes to Ducati WSBK team...

Most likely replacing Checa..

[odduc]

He should go to WSBK on a competitive bike, just not a Ducati. Yamaha (if they come back), Aprilia or Kawasaki would be good options. Sykes and Baz are doing pretty well on the Kawi. The Aprilia has been really good ever since they came into WSBK. Too bad BMW will withdraw their factory effort.

Nicky would do well in WSBK and could potentially go for a 'triple crown' with a championship in AMA SBK, MotoGP and WSBK.

[Karate.Snoopy]

Uh oh.. MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow leaves Yamaha to sign for Ducati

[union]

Either he knows something about the bike the rest of us dont or he isnt all that smart or Ducati put out A LOT of money for him.

[Karate.Snoopy]

What did Stoner know about that bike and why doesn't Ducati ask Stoner to work in consulting capacity to make this bike work for other riders (may be they have)?

[Paul_E_D]

Crutchlow, career, over. BUT you do have to actually make money in this sport. I can't blame him for taking a paying job, even if it means it's his last in motogp.

[JettaJayGLS]

I'm assuming he wants the money...I don't exactly blame him.

Stoner's riding style fit the bike, I don't think he knew anything special about it. I'd like to see Marquez on the Desmosedici...could be interesting.

[union]

Stoner rode on a completely different bike. He won on the trellis frame. When they went to the carbon frame he didnt win anymore. Since then it has gone to the no frame and to the twin spar frame.

[Paul_E_D]

I believe he won on the trellis AND the carbon/no frame (same thing I believe).

[warsaw1776]

Stoner rode on a completely different bike. He won on the trellis frame. When they went to the carbon frame he didnt win anymore. Since then it has gone to the no frame and to the twin spar frame.

This. The bike Stoner rode is very different than the current bike. A benefit Stoner had was the Ducati was the fastest bike on the straights, his riding style and ability helped him keep up in the corners, but the Ducati would scream outside of the corners. Now, the Ducati is slow on the straights and the corners. There is nowhere to make up some time because it is behind Honda and Yamaha in every aspect.

BUT, ducati has gotta turn around soon, and perhaps this is the perfect time for Crutchlow to join, who knows.

Very interested to see where Hayden ends up. I thought he was supposed to make an announcement two days ago.

[union]

I believe he won on the trellis AND the carbon/no frame (same thing I believe).

I was talking championships. He only has one with Ducati. He finished 4th in the championship on the carbon frame

[xsiliconkid]

This. The bike Stoner rode is very different than the current bike. A benefit Stoner had was the Ducati was the fastest bike on the straights, his riding style and ability helped him keep up in the corners, but the Ducati would scream outside of the corners.
.

The other key item when Stoner won on Ducati. Bridgestone built tires specifically for Ducati. before the days of spec tires.

[warsaw1776]

The other key item when Stoner won on Ducati. Bridgestone built tires specifically for Ducati. before the days of spec tires.

Very true, forgot about that.

[PainfullySlow]

I cant imagine that Cal is stupid enough to go to a marque that is a death sentence to his career in its current incarnation. Audi has a crapton of $ to throw at the problem and seems committed to making their mark in MotoGP. It wasnt too long ago that Ducati was leading the chase in GP so I have to imagine they must be tired of sucking hind teet and have a total re-work of something to get them back into the game.

There is more to this than first appears.

[warsaw1776]

I cant imagine that Cal is stupid enough to go to a marque that is a death sentence to his career in its current incarnation. Audi has a crapton of $ to throw at the problem and seems committed to making their mark in MotoGP. It wasnt too long ago that Ducati was leading the chase in GP so I have to imagine they must be tired of sucking hind teet and have a total re-work of something to get them back into the game.

There is more to this than first appears.

Does anyone know how much more money audi is throwing at GP? Aside from paying big bucks for riders, i haven't seen any obvious improvement due to a higher budget.

Very interesting that ducati next year will be the Yamaha tech 3 of last year.

[CDOG1974]

Cal will be taking the seat at Ducati for 2014not a good idea IMO!