-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
MotoGP
MOTOGP: Ducati Stuck In Development Hell
Ducati hopes its MotoGP program has hit rock bottom as it prepares for a long, steady climb back to competitiveness.
(Photo: Ducati Corse)
When you find you’ve dug yourself into a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.
Ducati’s MotoGP program found themselves in a pretty deep trench the past couple of years. The technical side of the 'Rossi Era' was fraught with changes, trying to put the nine-time World Champ and American teammate Nick Hayden near the front.
The team threw a massive number of updates at their unique framed MotoGP bike in search of the feel Valentino wanted. That never came, so the team switched to a more conventional frame the next season to no avail.
In the midst of the chassis changes, the new 1000cc rules took effect and the engines differed as well.
After the season, Rossi left (to be replaced by Andrea Dovizioso) and new management was installed. Former Ducati employee Paolo Ciabatti, who returned from running World Superbike, and former BMW World Superbike boss Bernhard Gobmeier now run things.
When the 2013 bike broke cover at the recent test in Sepang, not much was different from the last race of 2012. The biggest change was probably the paint job.
Ducati’s plan seems to be to figure out what they have with this bike, then move forward with the development of the successor rather than pound out a heavily overhauled bike for ’13. Gobmeier has said, "Our initial strategy was we first want to go forward in small steps. Only afterward will follow radical steps."
Gobmeier has also said it will be 2015 before Ducati can expect to challenge for the championship.
It might not make everyone happy but it makes a lot of sense to slow down and redo this thing the right way.
Ducati’s MotoGP program found themselves in a pretty deep trench the past couple of years. The technical side of the 'Rossi Era' was fraught with changes, trying to put the nine-time World Champ and American teammate Nick Hayden near the front.
The team threw a massive number of updates at their unique framed MotoGP bike in search of the feel Valentino wanted. That never came, so the team switched to a more conventional frame the next season to no avail.
In the midst of the chassis changes, the new 1000cc rules took effect and the engines differed as well.
After the season, Rossi left (to be replaced by Andrea Dovizioso) and new management was installed. Former Ducati employee Paolo Ciabatti, who returned from running World Superbike, and former BMW World Superbike boss Bernhard Gobmeier now run things.
When the 2013 bike broke cover at the recent test in Sepang, not much was different from the last race of 2012. The biggest change was probably the paint job.
Ducati’s plan seems to be to figure out what they have with this bike, then move forward with the development of the successor rather than pound out a heavily overhauled bike for ’13. Gobmeier has said, "Our initial strategy was we first want to go forward in small steps. Only afterward will follow radical steps."
Gobmeier has also said it will be 2015 before Ducati can expect to challenge for the championship.
It might not make everyone happy but it makes a lot of sense to slow down and redo this thing the right way.
Grand Prix of The France
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
WSBK: Donington Park Race Day Ticker
Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes starred at home with a double victory… -
AMA FT: Springfield Mile Postponed Due To Weather
The AMA Pro Flat Track race scheduled to run on Sunday, May 26, 2013… -
VIDEO: AMA MX - Thunder Valley Highlights
Ryan Villopoto continued his dominant ways at Thunder Valley with… -
WSBK: Sykes Storms To Donington Double
Kawasaki's Tom Sykes notched up his second and third victories of… -
AMA MX: Villopoto Rolls At Thunder Valley
Ryan Villopoto is now four for four in 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross… -
WSBK: Donington Park Superpole Ticker
Notes and quotes following Tom Sykes' 15th career Superpole triumph.… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park Superpole
Tom Sykes claimed the 15th Superpole victory of his career today… - More News
