Marco out of a job soon?

Question

Forget about the Dantin Alice bikes, I'm on about the full factory Marlboro effort.

Here is some times from Jerez in 07 and from 08.

Yes I know Marco changed bikes and team, but these results are terrible.

Jerez 2007/2008

Qualifying

Marco Melandri: 1min 39.722secs (2007)/1min 41.027secs (2008)

Race

Marco Melandri: 1min 41.303secs (2007)/1min 41.735secs (2008)

A full second and a bit in testing & nearly half a second slower in race form is a bit of a let down.

I really thought Marco was going to hit it off with the Ducati. After seeing the way Casey took hold of it last year, I thought, it must need a [ modern ] 250 rider on board. Caparex was a good ( read dirty ) 250 rider and it was a long time ago now.

He stayed on the Ducati too long really. But that is another question all together!

Lets hope [ if it happens ] that Troy & even cry baby Max can help the team pull out a few problems.

Your thoughts please, real race fans.

Answer 1

I  think I'm with A.nik on this one. its not looking good for Marco at the moment. But up until race day in Estoril. Stoner was doing the same thing. He was slower than the year before. The Whole Ducatti team were baffled by the time sheet. I think they are going the right way trying to get more rider info for the bike.  I remember Capirossi Saying he could not do what Stoner was doing with the Beast. Time will tell. and also add Fuel to the rumours of Hayden going to Ducatti and replacing Marco. Sounds like you need to be from a dirt track background to ride the Beast.

Answer 2

Um.... You know, after seeing how bad was last year for Loris I didn't expect much. And I think it is a bit too early to say anything about Marco getting the sack any time because those two races were no good for the whole Ducati team. I honestly believe that there is something wrong with the machines!

For what I know, Casey is not one of those guys who fall so easily and stay in the back positions in the race. Seeing him not doing as well as we all expected means to me that there are problems with the Italian bike. I would like to see them getting better (not too much) and just to know that both Marco and Casey will be the competition they are supposed to be!

Answer 3

Yeah, i've been real dissapointed in melandri this season, he just does'nt seem to be getting on with this bike.

I had predicted that melandri would have a podium finish in the championship this year.

I really thought that after the ride he had last season, not to mention putting him on the duke this season he was going to be in the top 3.

Casey must have something special to ride that ducati the way he does!

Its all makig for great racing though, dont you think.