When Valentino Rossi’s move to Ducati was first mooted, I posted that the move may not be the marriage made in heaven that many were predicting. I noted that Ducati have a particular way of doing things and that Rossi’s mercurial personality and free-flowing “style” might not necessarily fit with the, “This is the way we do it here.” mentality at Bologna.
Well, overnight, the first signs that I may have been correct have emerged. In an exclusive interview with crash.net, Ducati crew chief, and former head test rider, Vittoriano Guareschi, stated, “We just need to improve the bike, not make a copy of the Yamaha.” In the strongest indication so far that Rossi and Jeremy Burgess are attempting to bring the Ducati to a baseline that they understand and with which they are familiar, Guareschi’s comment shows that Ducati are unwilling to have them do it “their” way, rather that it is going to be done Ducati’s way. And there is certainly room for improvement with Rossi clearly struggling to tame the beast during the first test last year. I’ll quote the rest of the article.
“Ducati may be aiming to help Valentino Rossi replicate his Yamaha success with its Desmosedici, but the Italian factory insists it doesn’t need to build a copy of the M1. After a 15th place on Rossi’s Ducati debut during testing at Valencia, Ducati confessed changes will be needed to allow the seven time MotoGP champion to ride as he would like.
But despite so many team members moving with Rossi from Yamaha, team manager Vittoriano Guareschi insists that there is no pressure to change the Ducati design philosophy. “The [new team members from Yamaha] are settling in well. After so many years at Yamaha they appreciate the soul of our brand,” Guareschi told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Jerry [Rossi’s crew chief] is reassuring. In general there is peace of mind: we just need to improve the bike, not make a copy of the Yamaha. “We’re going in the direction indicated by Valentino for 2011.
“The times [during testing at Valencia] were not very encouraging, it must be said, but after seeing the condition of his shoulder, we felt reassured. Our bike requires strong physical input and Valentino wasn’t fit enough in Valencia.” Rossi has since undergone surgery for the shoulder injury and will be present for the unveiling of the 2011 Ducati at the upcoming Wrooom press ski meeting. Rossi’s first ride in Ducati red will then take place at Sepang, Malaysia, from February 1-3.”
Guareschi is, in effect, saying, “We work as a team and we do it my way.” Interesting times are ahead.
In WSBK news, the blats have been raving for the last few days about Pedercini testing Talmasci for a possible 2nd seat on the ZX10-R this year. Where have they been? I foreshadowed that ages ago!! 🙂
PS: In case anyone is thinking that I have been a little harsh with my comments about the Rossi/Ducati thing, remember, Rossi isn’t the first Italian to ride for the team (it’s just that the Italian press would like you to think he is). Loris Capirossi in the 990 era struggled to get the bike to his satisfaction despite having the “advantage” of being an Italian in an Italian team, and, in the 800 era, Marco Melandri’s career was virtually destroyed in just one season of riding the Ducati, despite, again, the perceived advantage of being an Italian in an Italian team. Rossi is NOT in for an easy ride, on OR off the bike.