Ducati Musical Chairs

[Steve Bass]

So,

We're fast approaching the time when Ducati will be announcing their new rider line up following Demo Dovi's announced detarture at the end of the season.

So what's your bets for the 'who goes where' lottery??

I'm betting on:

Ducati Factory:

Jack Miller
Pecco Bagnaia

Pramac Ducati:

Johann Zarco
Jorge Martin

Avintia Ducati:

Enea Bastianini

[Zarco]

I think you are cock on with that.

[Turn7]

Yep, pretty much it I would think.

[hiccy18]

Pretty much agreed but I think they will keep Zarco at Avintia with a GP21 and put Martin on a GP21 at Pramac with Bezzechi/Marini/Bastiannini alongside on a GP20.

I'm not sure which of the three other Moto2 riders they will pick, I know they want another Italian rider, all three are very good and have had a good start to the season: Marini is probably the most "ready" but Bastiannini is possibly the most promising; tough call.

On a related note, where will Dovi end up? KTM Aio will have a free title contending seat next year, could be a good option for a certain young KTM rider....

[hiccy18]

Actually as it's Ducati we're talking about I think instead of posting what we think Ducati should do what we should be thinking about is how to undermine their riders the most and give them the least chance of success! So on that basis I propose:

Factory:
Miller
Redding

Pramac:
Bagnaia GP21
Martin GP20

Avintia:
Zarco GP19
Rabat paddock stand/hand cart/donkey

With Redding and Miller squabbling over development direction whilst Bagnaia wins races in between throwing it at the gravel trap in questionable "freak" accidents and Zarco throws glum gallic hissy fits at the back with occasional podiums, Martin can sit bewilderedly wondering why he ever unhitched from team Orange. Proper latin meltdown.

[Zarco]

Lorenzo is a more likely wild card than Redding for me.

[Turn7]

If Scott beats JR this year then I would think he’s a shoe in for a GP seat....

Ps- not watched this weekends racing yet !

[Cheeses of Nazareth]

hiccy18 said:

Actually as it's Ducati we're talking about I think instead of posting what we think Ducati should do what we should be thinking about is how to undermine their riders the most and give them the least chance of success! So on that basis I propose:

Factory:
Miller
Redding

Pramac:
Bagnaia GP21
Martin GP20

Avintia:
Zarco GP19
Rabat paddock stand/hand cart/donkey

With Redding and Miller squabbling over development direction whilst Bagnaia wins races in between throwing it at the gravel trap in questionable "freak" accidents and Zarco throws glum gallic hissy fits at the back with occasional podiums, Martin can sit bewilderedly wondering why he ever unhitched from team Orange. Proper latin meltdown.

I laughed at that .

I dont see Redding getting back to MotoGP. Too many riders already on 'the path' to make room for a guy who had his chance and didnt get the job done. Maybe harsh, and he may not have had the 'right bike' but the paddock knows who is doing what, with what they have, and they obviously didnt think it was enough.

I can see him being paid handsomely to beat Rea in WSB, and i think that is where he should stay, for his sanity, i dont see him being any better in MotoGP than he was last time.

[Zarco]

Agree. Can't see Redding ever making it back to MotoGP. He had his time there and never really did anything. Just like Bautista will never go back.

[Cheeses of Nazareth]

Zarco said:

Agree. Can't see Redding ever making it back to MotoGP. He had his time there and never really did anything. Just like Bautista will never go back.

Nothing wrong with a career in WSB, and i actually started watching again , now he is in it, as its good to see someone take it to Rea.

But reality means there are far more 'likely' riders who are due a shot in MotoGP before him.

Iker Lecuona is an unlikely MotoGP rider, but he is proving to be batting above his average, and you can bet he is inexpensive.

I think even the likelihood of Lorenzo coming back is pretty slim.

[Zarco]

Again, agree

I follow WSBK anyway, but it has been better last couple of years with Bautista and Redding taking it to Rea (perhaps Ducati deserve the most credit for that with the V4R).

I don't think Lorenzo getting back on Ducati in MotoGP is likely either. Just suggested he is a more likely outsider than Redding.

[Cheeses of Nazareth]

Zarco said:

Again, agree

I follow WSBK anyway, but it has been better last couple of years with Bautista and Redding taking it to Rea (perhaps Ducati deserve the most credit for that with the V4R).

I don't think Lorenzo getting back on Ducati in MotoGP is likely either. Just suggested he is a more likely outsider than Redding.

Yes, Redding got the flick, Jorge gave up , on what is obviously a bh of a bike to ride , unless you are Marquez.

I guess the fact that i didnt care who won, made it hard to watch.

I subscribe to MXgpTV, for motocross and NBC sports Gold , for AMA outdoors, and SX, and watch MotoGP and Speedway GP ( thats the wife, 1 min races keep her attention lol) , i dont have time in my life for BSB and WSB, but desperate times mean desperate measures. LOL

Oh yeah, and then there's World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Late Models on the internet .

I need to get out more but we cant.

[Johno]

Steve Bass said:

So,

We're fast approaching the time when Ducati will be announcing their new rider line up following Demo Dovi's announced detarture at the end of the season.

So what's your bets for the 'who goes where' lottery??

I'm betting on:

Ducati Factory:

Jack Miller
Pecco Bagnaia

Pramac Ducati:

Johann Zarco
Jorge Martin

Avintia Ducati:

Enea Bastianini

Think you've probably got it spot on Steve.

I think there's a debate about who get's which versions of the bike across that group, which will make negotiations with the new riders more complicated as they fight for full factory status. Also, who signs with Ducati as a factory rider in a satellite team and who signs with the satellite team etc.

I don't think Lorenzo has the fight let in him and Redding is a known quantity. They have the data already and therefore 'know' what both are capable of. Highly doubtful whether either would get a seat and if they did it would be to keep it warm for someone else.

It does seem to me that Ducati are going to come out of the latest round of riding signings, silly season etc. the worst placed of all of the full factory efforts. Their rider development program appears somewhat disjointed, more data driven than talent led, for the engineers and not the riders.

In terms of leading development, I've no real data to prove it, but I just don't see Miller leading a development direction for the team in the methodical and structured way Dovi has allegedly done so. The others may contribute of course, but don't have the experience perhaps.

Not that we'll see the contracts or maybe even the lengths of them, however given that line up I can imagine Ducati will be looking for a 'headliner/alien' for 2022/23 and will want to keep their options open through contracting.

A lot will depend on how much Marlboro are prepared to continue to sponsor the rider salaries and after the Lorenzo costs, it appears they're not. Reports suggesting a couple of years of salary cuts for Dovi as well.