Marco Melandri struggling with the 2008 Ducati?

Question

Marco failed to make an impact when he tested the Duke before Christmas. He's gone on record as saying the engine characteristics don't suit his style.

Do you think he will suffer the same fate as his predecessor. All kinds of excuses were used for the reason Capirex couldn't compete with Stoner. His age, the fact he and his wife had just had a baby..etc....etc.....

Or is it just that Casey Stoner is just far better than a lot of people are willing to admit!?

I guess time will tell...........Sepang next week should be interesting.

Answer 1

Hey Neil

I think it's going to be a steep learning curve for him (or anyone) getting on a championship winning bike - and trying to make it work like a charm for you.

As you pointed out in a previous question, these new ecu's aren't a magic wand - and they don't suit everybodies style.

While I'm not knocking Stoner in any way - as he has barely put a foot wrong all season - I do feel that the change of bike size and handling charecteristics has definately suited some more than others.

A lot has been made about the fact that Pedrosa has done so well, whilst Haydon almost sank without a trace, on a ride supposedly the same, but in effect tailored to suit the "favoured son" It may be that Melandri will take some time to adjust the bike to his style (or vice versa!)

Answer 2

Alex Barros gave an interview last week in MCN and said that the Ducati just doesnt suit the older style riders. He has said "If you compare my data with Casey, I had less traction control and less engine brake control. So when I rode I could feel more. Casey uses a lot of electronics. He has confidence, because he believes this is normal. I tried, but for me it wasnt easier". The 800's have also said to favour the riders fresh from the 250's, but you cannot take anything away from Casey - he had a fantastic season!!

I really hope that Marco does get used to the bike as I loved to see his powerslides and always thought he was an exciting rider. Cant wait for testing next week.

Answer 3

marco will figure it out.  he's pretty talented.  ducati will do everything they can to set that bike up the way he likes it.  stoner is talented too, BUT the ducati had the most power and bridgestone tires.  he should have won all those races with that equipment.

Answer 4

Hi Neilggti. I Think I remember Capa saying the exact same thing about not being able to ride the bike. Could not get the corner speed required to be quick. a statement backed by a few of the other riders when talking about their bikes. and how it suited the 250 riders more.  But these guys (most anyway) came through 250s. I think melandri WILL get to grips with it. But I think the bike wont have the advantage that it had last season, so may be hard to tell if your not watching the lap times.

Man I cant wait. Its Going to be AWESOME.

Answer 5

Maybe a little bit of both, older styles AND the fact that Casey has moved up to the Rossi / Dani level.

Sepang is going to be a real eye opener.

Answer 6

It is too early to make any judgements on Marco and the Ducati and indeed whilst the whole pre-season testing is interesting for us punters, I am not a big believer in reading too much into what comes out of it. There is so much shadow play, smoke and mirrors going on that it is all part of the game. However I am not entirely surprised that Marco is not going fast straight out of the box. I really do like him and am delighted that he is at Ducati but I was a little surprised when they selected him to be quite honest. The amount of my money that company has received over the years, I feel like they should be asking my opinion directly anyway :-)

Loris was an absolute gold asset to Ducati over his time there but there obviously was something in the lower capacity bike that did not suit him but I for one never felt that he had to make any apologies for his performances for the company.

Let's chuck another angle at this and broaden the debate beyond Ducati, as you could argue than in the first season of the reduced capacity bikes none of the more experienced hands really lived up to their potential. Has something so fundamental changed that the likes of Hayden, Rossi, Capirossi, Barros, Checa, Melandri and so on are perhaps going to be at a disadvantage to those who have only a couple of years experience on a Moto GP bike at most ?