What do you make of Nicky Haydens season with Ducati so far?

L

Little J

New member
I know a lot of people have been saying that Nicky should return to AMA as he has lost the ability to keep up with the rest of the class.
I disagree with this and do not think that a guy who was able to win the championship could not have lost theabilityy to ride at a world class level. I think that his poor performance this year is down to him changing to Ducati (you just have to look at what happened Melandari when he rode a ducati to see what i am talking about.) I don't think it is very fair for people to write off Nicky just because he is having a bad year. If you can ride a bike in Moto GP then you obviously aren't a rubbish rider. If you can win it you are on a new level.
I think that ducati have a weird old bike going on there which Stoner is the only one able to some how control it. I think that Nicky should try as hard as he can for this year and then hop of it and go to another team next year. I think that he will be able to get another team at the end of the year as i think people can see his problem with the bike. I also don't think that many people will be wanting to take his place either. Ductai may have a problem next year getting a second rider...

Whats your views on it all?
 
Nicky has always been able to ride the wheels off anything he's cared to take a shot at. I would have bet good money at the beginning of the year he would be contending for podiums by now. So, I am also frustrated that he hasn't found the handle yet.

I don't know why Casey almost makes it look easy to go fast, while the others seem to struggle. It's certainly a credit to Casey, but I think there is a little more to it than that.

I'm sure Nicky will give his all on the bike. But I can only hope the team is doing the same for him.

As for Nicky's future, I think he has a few years of MotoGP left in him. Even if he and Ducati part ways (i don't think they will), someone will be quick to bring him on.
 
Im an open Fan of Nicky's, and I agree with a lot of whats been said. its important to remember the Ducati is a rare breed of bike that started life as a racing bike. not a bike tuned to race. I still believe Nicky will learn to ride the red beast. its weird to hear comments like "its never the same, even on the same settings" and that's from Casey. Casey has had a lot of time to learn how to get around the problems. even to keep on it when everyone else thinks its gone. the new rules and regs that shorten the practice sessions aren't helping Nicky either. I can understand the thinking that Superbike riders seem to handle the Ducati alright. but that's a totally different bike. (twin Vs four for a start)
Canape should be able to ride the bike. he has done the most time on it (09 version) But he is down the bottom end with the rest. Kallio is doing better. (least time) I think Ducati will give Nicky a second season just due to the lack of track time. they are not going to find anyone who will work harder or has the track time already. I say give him time he will show what he is capable of. eventually !!
 
Honestly I expected better results at this stage of the season. I think the synergy is cooking really slow between Nicky and Ducati.

I think Ducati should have prepare more to ease Nicky´s arrival since they knew perfectly capable riders (like Marco) struggled a lot with the red beast.

I think Nicky is improving with the bike, but we hardly notice because his fellow riders at the end of the pack are also improving. I do hope Nicky gets better results in the future, it would be a shame that Nicky is one year with Ducati and then off.

If his place becomes available, how about Dani Pedrosa becoming Casey´s new team mate. I know he is not the most beloved driver around here, but it´s been said it´s win or go for Dani at HRC, and in my opinion the boy can ride (when he is healthy). But I rather see Nicky stay and succeed.
 
First off, switching from any other manufacturer to a Ducati is not an easy transition. Just as Eric Bostrom. Eric struggled on his Ducati and he is no slouch rider. I think Nicky is discovering that riding a Ducati is not for everyone. The chassis responds completely different than the Hondas he was used to for so many years. That alone can put a rider into a negative frame of mind, because he struggles to anticipate how the chassis will respond under certain race conditions, whereas with the Honda, Nicky knew in advance what to expect.

I do agree that the Ducati team bears some responsibility here, as I've heard similar reports that they are not open to rider input. Why that situation exists is beyond my comprehension.

Should Nicky not find a ride in MotoGP next year, which I would find surprising, I believe he should move to World Superbike, rather than return to AMA racing. I think World Superbike is a racing format he'd enjoy, whereas MotoGP can be a bit sterile. After leaving MotoGP to return to World Superbike, Troy Bayliss commented on the coldness of the paddock atmosphere (remember he was with Ducati as well) in MotoGP and that the World Superbike paddock was a much more family friendly atmosphere and one that he absolutely preferred.

I'd be thrilled to see Nicky return to his winning ways, but if that can't happen in MotoGP, then World Superbike would be the way to go.
 
Honestly I expected better results at this stage of the season. I think the synergy is cooking really slow between Nicky and Ducati.

I think Ducati should have prepare more to ease Nicky´s arrival since they knew perfectly capable riders (like Marco) struggled a lot with the red beast.

I think Nicky is improving with the bike, but we hardly notice because his fellow riders at the end of the pack are also improving. I do hope Nicky gets better results in the future, it would be a shame that Nicky is one year with Ducati and then off.

If his place becomes available, how about Dani Pedrosa becoming Casey´s new team mate. I know he is not the most beloved driver around here, but it´s been said it´s win or go for Dani at HRC, and in my opinion the boy can ride (when he is healthy). But I rather see Nicky stay and succeed.
 
Back
Top