Not quite the same, but, hot on the heels of BMW executives pronouncing themselves to be unhappy with BMW’s “weak” performance at MMP on the weekend, comes rumours gathering strength that the team is looking to sack both its incumbent riders at the end of the season (or perhaps sooner if suitable replacements can be found).
The reasons being given are that Halsam, who was hired as the possible saviour of the team, is very poor on the technical development side and in giving intelligent feedback to the engineers. Sadly, I predicted this before it happened. Corser is said to be a great development rider (we always knew that) but the team feels that he is inconsistent with flashes of brilliance mixed in with so-so performances.
While I am an avowed Troy Corser fan and always have been, the fact is that he is past his best. The strain of carrying the development load, not being listened to by the “Ve vill do it our vay” German engineers and the team’s insistence on making many changes at a time rather than using the proper “one change at a time and see how it goes” approach has told on his race day and qualifying performances. BMW has a huge budget, top-flight engineers and mechanics but two and half years in the class has failed to produce a single win and, from memory, only 3 podiums (3rd place each time). Plainly not good enough and to blame the riders is a pretty poor show.
What is even more perplexing about this rumour is that BMW’s shopping list for new riders for 2012 has, at its top, Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi. Now, stop and think for a moment. Checa is riding the best bike in the paddock, the “works” Ducati (OK, it’s a private entry, but everybody knows it’s really the factory team in disguise). MMP saw him increase his championship lead and it would only be bad luck that would stop the likeable Spaniard from scoring his first world championship. BUT, Carlos is going to turn FORTY next year and can’t have too many more good years ahead of him. Added to this, despite over 20 years of racing, his CV is remarkably thin.
Max, despite owning 4 250cc world championships AND a WSBK title, is ALREADY 40 years old and is showing the strain this year of trying to win on what is now not the fastest bike in the paddock. Added to this has to be the consideration that the Roman Emperor is a noted hot-head and a very difficult rider to deal with within a team. I can see HUGE sparks flying if the mercurial Italian started butting heads with the intractable German engineers.
No, I’m sorry, BMW should scrap this shopping list and start again. Look for some of the young talent that’s about. The Cudlin brothers, for example.
Still on superbikes and the Italian Moto Sprint magazine has published the first “spy” shot of Ducati’s 2012 superbike, the “Superquadrata” (or, super square). This bike was tested last week at the Ducati triple-header at Mugello but no official photos were published. Now we know why.
The bike is obviously brand new, top to bottom. A monocoque frame, as distinct the traditional trellis job, horizontal rear shock absorber, and an engine that is apparently sitting up straight, allowing for it to be moved forwards and for a (much) longer rear swingarm. As well the motor is said to be extremely over-square (hence the nickname) and the exhaust configuration also looks much more GP-like than before. Weight saving is said to be possibly at least 20 lbs (10 kgs) and it looks like Ducati might have to hire some jockeys to ride the thing if the size of it in this photo is any indication.
NOW, bear in mind that this is a road bike, yeah? Ducati have to produce a certain amount for homologation (racing) purposes. If it turns out to be half as good as the hinted specs indicate, they shouldn’t have any problem doing that.
SO, hang on to your hat, here’s the BIGGEST rumour of the weekend. Ducati to return to WSBK with a factory team (obviously running this bike) in 2012. It makes sense, and the Italian owners of the WSBK franchise will not doubt make sure that the regulations for 2012 are framed to ensure that Ducati continue to enjoy the unfair advantage over the rest of the manufacturers that they always have.