Ducati wants Jorge

[XIII]

I mentioned this the other night to some folks but here is the article for the others.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2009/August/aug1809-ducati-offer-Lorenzo-13m-bumper-pay-deal/

Ducati has made Jorge Lorenzo a lucrative multi-million pound offer to quit Yamaha.
Desperate to sign a top rider while the future of Casey Stoner remains the subject of intense speculation, Marlboro has offered the 22-year-old a bumper £13m two-year deal.

MCN understands Lorenzo had further talks with Phillip Morris executives in Brno on Sunday night, though the Spaniard insists his first choice is to remain in Yamaha's factory squad. 

Marlboro is ready to bankroll a swoop for Lorenzo with the tobacco giant anxious to capture a big name should Stoner's health issues drag on. Stoner is undertaking a period of complete rest to try and regain fitness for a planned return to action at the Estoril round in Portugal in early October. 

Lorenzo said: "Ducati is an option. The important is to have a bike that can win the championship. It seems the Yamaha is the best right now,"

A decision from Lorenzo is imminent, with his manager Marcos Hircht revealing a decision could be made as early as tomorrow (Wednesday), and an announcement would likely be made in Indianapolis.

[ChrisM]

interesting.  I think the team shake ups this winter will be major.

[Adiggity]

Can't blame them. If he could stay up, he'd be the man! 

No, but really, the kid is a stud. Funny thing is Casey was the same way until he got on the Ducati. Then he just started winning, and in a big way!

[rapidrobbie]

Looks like Lorenzo has signed a one year deal with Yamaha
The Pedrosa n Puig show are still unsigned,Pedrosa may be at home watching the races on tv next year unless he gets rid of Puig

[jlavallee]

Honda announced it has plans to re-sign Pedrosa and Dovi weeks ago. Who else is there anyway now that you need to be a midget to be at the front of MotoGP?

I want to see what happens to Spies but even if he gets in GP, it is not the same with all the traction control crap allowing the 250 midgets to dominate. Rossi is the only guy over 5'6" and 120lbs who can win. And even the GOAT is having to work for it.

Please lord let us see a bike/rider weight limit like 125's or at least turn off the computers and make being able to handle the thing mean something. I feel like I am watching horse racing... DMG has destroyed AMA, WSBK is boring and gone back to giving Ducati displacement and now GP is getting harder to watch now that Suzy Perry walking round the paddock is like watching Snow White and the dwarfs. Think Pedrosa could hang on an old 500 long?

[Team Gorgonzola]

I am still watching all of it (AMA, SBK, GP, you name it) and still find plenty of entertainment, greatness and competitiveness. I've seen, this year, some of the best racing I ever seen in AMA, SBK, GP. I still don't know what the fuss is all about. Maybe I am lacking the mental adeptness
Oh yeah, the bikes are too loud

[A DRAGON]

That's what I was thinking Alberto. Is it me or is That guy always finding something to Bitch about?

[jlavallee]

Yeah, I am a ray of bloody sunshine.

Seriously though, I used to watch it all and now I have a hard time sitting through the races. Maybe it's just me but doesn't anyone else find it depressing to see the sport becoming biased to where anyone bigger than a small girl is at a serious disadvantage and riders mapping TC for each corner? The only ones I look forward to are the MotoGP races and that is just because I enjoy that Rossi is still kicking ass with a 20-40 lb weight penalty.

Isle of Mann is still good though.

[Adiggity]

I don't think your alone Jason. I've heard a lot of complaining this year from a lot of people. I am personally with Alberto and Jerome on this one though. I have enjoyed watching every series this year. Is it perfect? No, but what is??....besides Jerome that is.

[n10sive]

I only watch racing for the crashes

[jlavallee]

Is it perfect? No, but what is??....besides Jerome that is.

Well you got me there...

[mikey]

I live to see motorcycle racing on  t.v. and  love it.   Any kind 125 250 SBK dirt etc.    O yea superbikes to.
Only complaint is when I turn on my t.v. and find NASCAR

[A DRAGON]

And now the riders are to small. someone that's eating In and Out burgers can't compete. What are you crying about? Who freaking cares!!! Every race I've seen it can be won by any one on the grid. Mat Mladin isn't as small as Larry Sloped shoulders Pegram. He's not having any problem. Ben Spies isn't a small man by no means. He seems to be  doing pretty good as well. As far as MotoGP Most Europeans aren't that big any way, Unless they are wrestling or playing Rugby. Oh I forgot the Japanese Sumo Wrestlers.

Yo-Diggity your a perfect A@?hole. Your forgot your self.

[jlavallee]

Damn Jerome, if I didn't know how tight you and Andy were I'd think you were lit up.

I'm not too worried about the weight issue on the superbike side as they are heavier anyway and the traction control is nothing like the GP level. The lighter the bike and the more biased to corner speed they become, the more important being small is. I don't think it is crying to want a fair playing field.  Mat kicks ass because of skill as does Rossi. If you honestly think DMG is fair. Well, I am glad you're happy.

Remember when Ducati used to get a weight advantage in AMA? Now the twins get displacement but also a weight increase to 390 over 375 lbs for AMA. 330 lbs for MotoGP

In the 125 class they already do what I'd like to see as the rule is Motorcycle + rider = not less than 136kg or 300 lbs. If you are a light rider then ballast can be added where YOU want to affect the COG etc... At least it evens things out a bit. I've read articles from many former champs such as Roberts lamenting the fact that the current rules make being a normal sized person.

I am glad you're enjoying the racing. I was simply stating what I find to be an obvious issue. given that the world average (yes, the US is larger and Japan smaller) puts anyone below 155 lbs in the lowest 25th percentile. The 50% range median is about 176lbs. And if you look at athletes, it is higher. All I am saying is put the limit at the average and go. If a light guy adds ballast then he can do it as an advantage for handling but at least not the braking or acceleration.

I may be in the top 10th percentile so obviously I enjoy eating but I'll never understand the draw of In and Out.

[Adiggity]

 
Yo-Diggity your a perfect A@?hole. Your forgot your self.

Did you stub your toe or something sweetie? You gonna be alright??