[.OrgOwner]

Nicky Hayden runs out of gas on the last lap of the Assen MotoGP... What more can you say except that it should never happen - ever. I don't think there is a single event that makes a race team look any worse than this..

`It is frustrating because we have the system and it should never run out of fuel. We should always make it across the finish line. On the starting grid a light showed up and I knew something wasn´t calibrating right. The bikes have so much electronics now, sometimes it is not the guy who rides hardest that wins it is the guy who hits the right buttons on his computer.´ Nicky Hayden

[nedro]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Nicky Hayden runs out of gas on the last lap of the Assen MotoGP... What more can you say except that it should never happen - ever. I don't think there is a single event that makes a race team look any worse than this..

Isn't the first. Won't be the last.

No kidding something wasn't calibrated right. He stayed up with Danni better than any other 800cc race. Yep, Repsol messed up. Gave Nickey Danni's map.

[MCR001]

Originally Posted by nedro

Isn't the first. Won't be the last.

No kidding something wasn't calibrated right. He stayed up with Danni better than any other 800cc race. Yep, Repsol messed up. Gave Nickey Danni's map.

Different bikes... Danni is riding the standard bike and Nicky the hydraulic valved one, how can they use the same MAP...not Repsol that messed up Nicky is just not competitive.

[spiral]

It shouldn't have happened! and nicky shouldn't be blaming computers. He should stop being the mr nice guy start kickin ass and get on a ducati. I reckon he would be the 2nd rider capable of getting that beast of a ducati to tame for him. It may be his last chance to get results.

[ptlcb1]

You said it spiral, not me! LOL Right now, I think the only bike that is going to fit Nicky's riding style is the Duc. I personally, would have gone off on whoever's responsibility it was to make sure there was enough fuel in the bike! Its not Nicky's first race on that bike. He didnt run out of fuel the race before this one... All sounds fishy to me.... Like Hopper, is was nice to hear that Nicky asked/demanded, however you want to look at it, that Honda give him what he wanted. Hopper is a nice guy too, but he knows when enough is enough! Nice to hear that he stepped up and demanded more from his team!

[madkaw]

I forget what the regulations have the max fuel capacity set at(I think it's 22 litres) but I remember hearing that these guys are barely given enough fuel to make it through a cooldown lap.

I personally can't wait to see what Nicky will do the Ducati next year. He's always been a Honda devotee but it's time for him to jump ship and get on a team that will work for him and treat him like the world class racer he is, not some second string chump.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by nedro

Isn't the first. Won't be the last.

No kidding something wasn't calibrated right. He stayed up with Danni better than any other 800cc race. Yep, Repsol messed up. Gave Nickey Danni's map.

Originally Posted by MCR001

Different bikes... Danni is riding the standard bike and Nicky the hydraulic valved one, how can they use the same MAP...not Repsol that messed up Nicky is just not competitive.

It was tongue in cheek. But you think Danni doesn't have a pneumatic valve engine of his own?

[MCR001]

Originally Posted by nedro

It was tongue in cheek. But you think Danni doesn't have a pneumatic valve engine of his own?

I thought as much.
He dont have the pneumatic engine - I just think he is on a high and found the right rythym on that bike, if thats what you mean.
We must not forget that Danni is a world champion also, in my eyes possibly the best rider on the track, a lot of guys will argue that statement but take note at how consitant he is.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by MCR001

I thought as much.
He dont have the pneumatic engine - I just think he is on a high and found the right rythym on that bike, if thats what you mean.
We must not forget that Danni is a world champion also, in my eyes possibly the best rider on the track, a lot of guys will argue that statement but take note at how consitant he is.

An honest evaluation of Nickey this year would be to realise that he consistantly looses ground on straights. The longer it is the worse it looks. How do you see it?
An other question for you. What do you think Rossi would be doing with the Repsol if he were on it this year? Personally, I think he'd be using the rest of the field to wipe his butt with.

[spiral]

Any chance Nicky might just change NOW???? Do a straight swap with Marco????? Two unhappy riders. Two riders who just can't seem to get on with their bikes. Two riders not really suited to the type of bike the team is building. Two riders very very suited to a straight swap. Its a dream I know. But I thought Marco would do much much better. He should have stayed on a Honda, it suits him better. I also think Nicky deserves a little more respect. I take my hat off to the man. He's been very dignified, while his team have more or less disregarded him. That Ducati would suit him big time. Fingers crossed he gets on one.

[nedro]

Ducati will not be the tourniquet people expect it to be.

[ptlcb1]

I dont think the Duc, IF in fact, Nicky happens to end up on one next year, will be the answer to his success for next year. But I think they will give him the support he will need to be competitive, again IF he ends up on that ride. I think the #1 Repsol guy right now is Dani. He is consistantly up front, he is younger than Nicky and he has won this year. I think Nicky's days are numbered with Repsol. I think only top 3 finishes from here on out, will give him the same ride for next year. That engine is the future Honda engine and he has given them better results now that he is using it. I just think that Nicky running out of gas was a sign... I cant remember when the last time that happened to another MotoGP rider....

[03swanman954]

Originally Posted by spiral

Any chance Nicky might just change NOW???? Do a straight swap with Marco?????

I think after the season you might see Nicky look, he is very unhappy now and Nicky isnt one to complain , but He stated his bike ran like crap and this is one of the first times I have ever seen him actually NOT take the blaim. I dont blaim him , how many other riders , 12? And how many ran out of gas? ,.,, Just one! I would be pissed too!

[gitganben]

Originally Posted by nedro

Ducati will not be the tourniquet people expect it to be.

Right on! We have to keep in mind these are all still 800's and being such have faster corner speeds. They're not nearly as prone to spin the back end out like Nicky used to do on the RC211v. Even switching over to the Ducati is not going to change the fact that these bikes just don't have the same physics.

Much respect to Nicky (and Lord knows its much easier for me to talk about it than it is for any human being to actually do) but he's gonna have to adjust or head to a different class.

I was pumped to see him win the title, but winning 2 races in a season isn't exactly MotoGP Legend material.

[jacobflyin]

Look if you have never worked on a pit crew of any kind it is hard to see how much support the one person on the bike gets and needs to win a race.

Repsol has not cared about Nicky for a long time and HE needs to move on I am a die hard Honda fan but would love to see Nicky on any other bike and be in the top 3 in the standings, I think he still has it and can win some races but you have to have a team that stads behind you 100%.

[slickwill]

Since Nicky is heavier than Dani he has to run a map that uses a little less fuel. That means less power. That's why you see him losing ground on the straights. All of the bikes are carefully calibrated to use every last drop of fuel but like he said, something was wrong this time. It probably won't happen again. It doesn't mean his result will be better I'm just saying he won't run out of fuel again.

I've heard (so it doesn't mean anything) that the Duc is more fuel efficient so they can get a little more power with less fuel. That would be a help to Nicky. Like Nedro said it won't be an immediate fix but it couldn't really be worse I don't think. I'd like to see it happen.

[lanbrown]

Originally Posted by jacobflyin

Look if you have never worked on a pit crew of any kind it is hard to see how much support the one person on the bike gets and needs to win a race.

Repsol has not cared about Nicky for a long time and HE needs to move on I am a die hard Honda fan but would love to see Nicky on any other bike and be in the top 3 in the standings, I think he still has it and can win some races but you have to have a team that stads behind you 100%.

What has he done recently to earn their support? if you hve a car that keeps breaking down, do you keep putting oney into it?

Originally Posted by slickwill

Since Nicky is heavier than Dani he has to run a map that uses a little less fuel. That means less power. That's why you see him losing ground on the straights. All of the bikes are carefully calibrated to use every last drop of fuel but like he said, something was wrong this time. It probably won't happen again. It doesn't mean his result will be better I'm just saying he won't run out of fuel again.

I've heard (so it doesn't mean anything) that the Duc is more fuel efficient so they can get a little more power with less fuel. That would be a help to Nicky. Like Nedro said it won't be an immediate fix but it couldn't really be worse I don't think. I'd like to see it happen.

Nikcy just needs to head to a different class where the bikes are suited to him.

[slickwill]

Originally Posted by lanbrown

Nikcy just needs to head to a different class where the bikes are suited to him.

I agree that WSBK would be better for him but I'd still like to see him have a crack at the Duc in GP. If he doesn't get the job done I'd be the first to admit it.

[lanbrown]

Will Ducati give him a shot? They could try someone with a better record or roll the dice with Nicky? If he gets a shot, the contract will be short.

[ptlcb1]

If it was me, I would give Nicky a shot on the Duc, before I give serious consideration to Sete Gibernau...

[lanbrown]

I wouldn't. He won't change his riding style. Look at the greats, they all changed to make the most out of the bike. The bike and rider need to work together.

[slickwill]

Originally Posted by lanbrown

Will Ducati give him a shot? They could try someone with a better record or roll the dice with Nicky? If he gets a shot, the contract will be short.

It's looking better for a Hayden/Ducati partnership


Hayden in Ducati talks - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

[TKDmasterZ]

I bet Nicky wants Ducati contract...pretty badly. He will certainly not stay with Repsol Honda for sure.

On a somewhat related news, Rossi, after annoucement of his Yamaha contract extension was made, mentioned that both Honda and Ducati came to him with offers. Rossi is still the man!

[03swanman954]

Originally Posted by TKDmasterZ

I bet Nicky wants Ducati contract...pretty badly. He will certainly not stay with Repsol Honda for sure.

On a somewhat related news, Rossi, after annoucement of his Yamaha contract extension was made, mentioned that both Honda and Ducati came to him with offers. Rossi is still the man!

I think you will see Hayden Goto Kawi before Ducatti! Time will tell!

[slickwill]

I hope not. I can root for him as long as he is on anything but a Kawi. I still would really LOVE to see him on the Duc.

[ptlcb1]

Never say Never. You say you wouldnt give Nicky a shot on a Duc because he wont change is riding style. Maybe he wouldnt have to change is riding style on the Duc... You would ne