Back in the days of Randy Mamola et al, it was discovered (mostly cos of ex-dirt track riders like RM doing on tarmac) that drifting a bit is faster than than not drifting at all. Once you've developed TC, it's easy to set it to allow, say 5% higher rear wheel speeds than front, rather than have it stop all rear wheel slip, so I'd not say that seeing a bike slide proves a great deal.

, so I'd not say that seeing a bike slide proves a great deal.

Unless it's Rossi's bike of course:rolleyes:

Not aimed at you Ken.

Unless it's Rossi's bike of course:rolleyes:

Not aimed at you Ken.

My point was that they're all sliding (and occasionally falling off); all TC does is reduce the likelyhood of them getting it wrong and high-siding, if it's set up right.

What I will suggest is that Guintoli's 6th in the wet proves that there is something fundamentally wrong with the Duke's chassis, cos he didn't suddenly get that much better since Assen.

My point was that they're all sliding (and occasionally falling off); all TC does is reduce the likelyhood of them getting it wrong and high-siding, if it's set up right.

What I will suggest is that Guintoli's 6th in the wet proves that there is something fundamentally wrong with the Duke's chassis, cos he didn't suddenly get that much better since Assen.

Clearly something went very pear shaped for the Ducati very early on in the season. It seems that an change of some description was a major step backwards.

Perhaps they stuck with the 'improvement' for a while before giving up and returning to 2007's chassis and /or motor, which was a proven package.

As for Guintoli, the rain is a great leveller and to some degree he was gifted such a high position through others crashing. So agreed, he didn't get that much better.

Elias 12th and lapped, and Milandri off, where Guintoli was 10th, Elias 12th (behind Vale with 1 30s penalty and no gearshifter), Milandri no mention in Assen. I don't think you can claim it was just the fallers that moved Elias up.

Although I'll concede that Nicky Hayden certainly was having a nightmare in a submarine!!

Perhaps they stuck with the 'improvement' for a while before giving up and returning to 2007's chassis and /or motor, which was a proven package.

I think this was the case. The good old "If it ain't broken, don't fixed it" saying!

Elias 12th and lapped, and Milandri off, where Guintoli was 10th, Elias 12th (behind Vale with 1 30s penalty and no gearshifter), Milandri no mention in Assen. I don't think you can claim it was just the fallers that moved Elias up.

Although I'll concede that Nicky Hayden certainly was having a nightmare in a submarine!!

Melandri isn't getting on with the Ducati at all. I think it maybe a case of too much power & not being used to the characteristics of the bike.

Stoner has shown that you need to grab it by the balls & just ride it!

Rumour has it, that Hayden will be taking Melandri's place next year, as Nicky likes a bike with too much power....that's his riding style.

What I will suggest is that Guintoli's 6th in the wet proves that there is something fundamentally wrong with the Duke's chassis, cos he didn't suddenly get that much better since Assen.

In fairness to Guintoli he rode most of the race without traction control and in those conditions deserves a medal for his finishing position, Guintoli sixth without traction control! | MOTOGP News

Clearly something went very pear shaped for the Ducati very early on in the season. It seems that an change of some description was a major step backwards.

Its been mentioned a number of times on Eurosport that he reverted back to the 2007 engine as the 2008 was wild (see links below). Mamola even asked him after one event would he not revert back to the 2008 engine i.e. the bad engine

Stoner: 'The wobbles have gone'. | MOTOGP News | Crash.Net

Stoner credits electronic breakthrough. | MOTOGP News | Crash.Net

Regardless of slip streaming I reakon the Ducati has plenty of extra ponies in a straight line. As many are saying rather than adjusting the bike around Casey, Casey has learned to ride it. It ain't so long ago he kept falling off a Honda. He's done an excellent job with the Ducati and fair play to him.

Must say I do feel so sorry for Melandri as he is a very quick rider but just can't handle that Ducati.

just incase you didn't know.

points.

1. valentino rossi 187

2. pedrosa 171

3. stoner 167

4. Lorenzo 114

5. edwards 98

6. dovizioso 90

7. vermeulen 73

8. hayden 73

9. toseland 65

10. nakano 64

just incase you didn't know.

points.

1. valentino rossi 187

2. pedrosa 171

3. stoner 167

4. Lorenzo 114

5. edwards 98

6. dovizioso 90

7. vermeulen 73

8. hayden 73

9. toseland 65

10. nakano 64

Thanks for that FR, most helpful:)

Lance

Must say I do feel so sorry for Melandri as he is a very quick rider but just can't handle that Ducati.

Cheers Gaff, have to agree about Melandri, he's far better than the results are saying at the moment.

Lance

More kudos to Guintoli than I thought then!

And I agree that Marco can't ride the Duke, but I'm suggesting that the problem is the Duke, masked slightly by the fact that Stoner can ride it.

And I agree that Marco can't ride the Duke, but I'm suggesting that the problem is the Duke, masked slightly by the fact that Stoner can ride it.

That was something the commentators mentioned last weekend, and is the reason why Guintoli is doing so well on the Duke. Instead of trying to set the bike up to suit him, he's adjusting his riding style to the bike.

Back to more or less "business as usual" yesterday, which only reconfirms my opinion above.

awesome race though.

Rossi is still king!

Back to more or less "business as usual" yesterday, which only reconfirms my opinion above.

maybe he should leave the Traction Control off so