Ducati and WSB for 2011

[Kwickkwack]

Just read that Ducati have announced they will not field a factory team in World Superbikes in 2011.
Whilst I was shocked by this, I guess the arrival of Valentino Rossi in Moto GP must have stretched their financial resources, coupled with a terrible season this year I guess all these things add up.
Will be a loss that is for sure, although they will still provide privateer equipment.

[Gingerr6]

I think this is also due to the huge running costs needed due to engine rebuilds on the twins, this is why they wanted 1200cc so the engines were not stressed so much.

[Spanner]

[url]http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/World-Superbikes/2010/August/aug2710-ducati-quit-wsb/[/url]

[challis349]

they have had a shocker this year really, left bsb last year, and no wsb next year, not a good time for ducati, i suppose though really, for a small company like ducati, it does get awfully expensive trying to keep up with the japs

[amh]

Well hopefully lets look forward to the future. I'd be very excited to see a 1000cc inline 4 or better still a 4V Ducati WSB competative bike in the next few years.

And with the way Moto GP is going with the rule changes in the forthcoming future it would be a great move for them to build such a machine.

[Spanner]

I'm wondering if its all been part of some sinister masterplan and direct resources towards Rossi and the 2012 season, I can't wait!

[Spanner]

Ohh, just got this in my MotoGP RSS feed

"American Ben Spies to replace Ducati-bound Valentino Rossi at Yamaha next season"

That'll be a tough combo to beat!

[SRH990]

[quote=Spanner;524033]Ohh, just got this in my MotoGP RSS feed

"American Ben Spies to replace Ducati-bound Valentino Rossi at Yamaha next season"

That'll be a tough combo to beat![/quote]

Pretty sure that's been a done-deal for months now, Spies couldn't go straight into a factory team because of the rules and had to serve his 'apprenticeship' in a satellite team. The remainder of the season will be more interesting as it looks like the Tech 3 team, maybe just Spies, are getting the good stuff from the factory and maybe Valentino won't any more.

Not really surprised about Ducati, as said, it's been a shocking year for them. For many years the rules have been changed to keep Ducati at the front, not very fair to the teams running the inline fours, although interesting to see that the bike with the most horsepower at the moment is the Aprilia RSV4.

[amh]

Yes I agree the Spies deal has been on for sometime just not official.

Now who is going in to replace Ben - lets hope the rumours of Crutchlow going to MotoGP pan out, just maybe we will see him on that bike next year, how good would that be :-)

Does anyone know what the deal is with Crutchlow for next year?

I am sure on some BSB coverage they were talking about him going into MotoGP for a ride whilst Rossi was out?? Obviously not on Rossi's bike due to the ruling, but maybe into Tech 3 whilst one of them guys stepped up to the Full Factory team during Rossi's absence, but he turned it down.

If that is correct them Yamaha do have some plans for Cal.

[heli-c]

According to BBC MotoGP Indianapolis qualifying, Cal's manager is at the circuit with the Yamaha bosses - 'said we can expect a press conference at San Marino...

As for Duke they've generally always had the most competitive machine and many of the rules over the years were IMHO brought in to slow them down; very flattering on the one hand but vanity doesn't win championships. I'm sure the Ducati will remain the bike of choice for the private teams though...and as such remain competitive.

Cheers

[Gareth-71]

WSB aka ("World Ducati Bikes") are not having their way, and so they are pulling out. They will be back....

Working in the WSB/mGP arena I can clearly see the impact that the financial meltdown has had on bike racing in general. (the USA lost 82% of its motorcycle market in 2009...yes 82% !!!!!). So many teams have had their budgets seriously cut.

Sure Ducati may not field a factory team in 2011, but that does not mean that they will not have a strong presence in 2011.

Cal? Hmmn, perhaps in the future, but right now, as much as we may wish otherwise, he will not cut it in mGP. No ifs or buts about it.

BTW, the best racing on TV is IMHO moto2, by a long stretch...

:-)

[Spanner]

Cal Crutchlow was sat with Toby Moody and Julian Ryder during the Moto2/125 (?) race in Brno, and without saying he was going to Tech 3, he said he was hopeful of a move to Yamaha. Basically said he was going to Tech 3, but didn't actually say it, If you know what I mean. (unless I heard him wrong)