MOTOGP » Melandri set to ride on

farmer giles

I don't know what Casey is getting paid but he sign his contract before he was WC and I don't recall them doing an extension. Unless he had a special clause, he's probably getting paid the same as when he signed. I'm sure he received some kind of "Champions bonus" of some sort last year.

Ducati and Marco are stuck with each other. Ducati doesn't want to pay him to sit on the sidelines and Marco wants to race. Where would he go in the middle of the season? It's no guarantee that Kwak would put a third bike on the grid for every race the rest of the year. Honda and Yamaha ain't gonna roll out a bike unless it's a Jap test pilot.

Can i ask the question.......How do we know this about Melandri's money?

Whatever he does for the remainder for '08 I reckon he'd be a brilliant replacement for DeAngelis or Capirossi in '09. The Kawa ride would be like jumping out of the frying pan....

I would also like to know where this Marco money stuff comes from. Can't say that I heard of this until today. But if you think about, when Casey signed he was a crasher and when Marco signed he was already a race winner. But who knows?

I have said on previous posts that Melandri is a cat. He signs on with Ducati after the "no-one" rider (4th choice sign on) becomes a dominant WC: finds out in early testing though that the bike has teeth and he doesn't like it. He then proceeds to swan around at the back, crying "poor me poor me: I can't find a setting I like" until Ducati get the ****s with him and sack him. Melandri is an embarrasment to himself more than anyone else. He has lost all credibility. I wouldn't hire him to deliver pizza - he'd find a shady spot and eat the lot ... then ring in sick!! The very worst thing I can call him is a bludger. 'Nuff said.

Yes raw dawg neither want to work together anymore. Let's just hope whoever has the ride next does better. Seem to be a very fickle company very serious can see why no one wants to take a gamble on that bike unless your casey moaner it is like the kiss of death

Belly I couldn't disagree with you more. No racer in MotoGP wants to be at the back. Being at the back equals no ride for next year. Especially someone like Melandri who was fighting for race wins and podiums. The bike and him doesn't get along. He could have easily said "enough, I'm going home and wait until next year". But he didn't - he has chose to soldier on and NOT be labelled a quitter. He would have lost all credibility if he wasn't trying and packed it in for the year. Ducati gave him a chance to walk yet he chose not to.

WHY?

It is very simple - MONEY.
Melandri could terminate the contract with Ducati right now and ride for Kawasaki for the rest of the season. But Kawasaki will pay Melandri less than what he is earning with Ducati. Therefore, I conclude, Melandri would rather be riding at the back than take a pay cut and still race!