In a snowbound resort in the Italian Alps, Ducati unveiled their 2011 challenger, the GP11. Looking strangely bare with the withdrawal of Marlboro sponsorship, the bike is said to be “evolutionary rather than revolutionary” with a lot of attention having been paid to the rear suspension and the decision to persevere with the “small” 42mm forks both coming in for some questioning. It is also being reported that Rossi will have a very light workload during the pre-season testing as his shoulder is taking longer to recovery from surgery than what was first expected.
On the home front, everyone is riveted to the TVs and computers as the real horror of the floods in SE Queensland begins to be revealed. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with the long-suffering people of the region (including the now-threatened towns on the NSW far north coast). Please do whatever you can do to help.
gearsau says
Phil,
Marlboro is still there..Just not shown due to them finally being forced to accept the anti tobacco legistlation that all the other teams adopted some years ago.
Marlboro are the hosts of that VROOOM extraganza in the Italian Alps.
They would be the ones paying the salary of the little clown in the funny colours leathers .
“Bozo Rossi”
Phil Hall says
Oh, OK!
gearsau says
Phil,
From Superbike Planet :
Rossi and Hayden Introduced To Press As Marlboro Ducati MotoGP Riders
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2011/wroom/2/
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Jan/110111a.htm
I see Nicky Hayden (who) still persists in his stupid caps. I flew from Melbourne to Bangkok some years ago,after Phillip Island,and he sat in the plane with his cap on for the whole flight. Strange!
Phil Hall says
Well, he IS from Kentucky. I do note, however, that he seems to have lost that execrable goatee beard that he used to wear so maybe he is finally adapting to life in the city. 🙂
Jeffrey says
Poor Nicky looks somewhat dejected in that photo. I met him a few years back and he is without doubt the most approachable rider on the entire grid. Lovely kid.
Phil Hall says
I can’t comment, I’ve never met him. But his start:win ratio makes it very hard to understand how he has kept his place in top teams unless it is based on an appeal to the American market.,