WSBK » Byrne saves his best until last

An excellent couple of rides Shakey- given factory kit you would be right there. Here's hoping for a good ride next year.

You got to wonder if after recent performances whether Fabrizio will be on a factory Ducati next year...Davide Tardozzi did not seem that plased with him post race 2.

Byrne on the factory Ducati and Fabrizio shuffled back to the Borciani or DFX teams

I think its a farce that all the other brits have factory rides and shakey doesnt, he is a proven rider. deserves a factory ride.

Save me the chauvanism people.

Shakey's ride was excellent.
But 'Fabrizio should be binned and his bike given to Byrne'?
Which race did you watch?
The one I saw had the Bologna Bog-Brush standing on the top step.

5 points lost to Fabrizo at Imola could have made all the difference to Hagas championship.

From a certain point of view Fabrizios actions (or inactions) have cost Ducati (and Haga!) a world championship.
For a company who rely on racing success to sell bikes, how unacceptable is that seen to be?

@ mike hunt

I agree with what you have written but an earlier comment I posted on was taken down. This is business and I believe this may be a possible scenario.

Why? I wrote that Tardozzi's hug and tears with Fabrizio in parc ferme looked like those of a godfather with one his lieutenants who had had been caught with his hand in the till. Fabrizio took points that Haga & Ducati needed to win the championship again and it could be curtains.

Because Tardozzi is Fab's manager it's a right muddle. The answer? Buy out or challenge Fab's contract and hire Shakey. He's shown what he can do on his old girl. Give him a 2010 factory bike and he'll be challenging!

Shakey put in an excellent performance, but I can't see Ducati switching Byrne and Fabrizio. Next season Fab might be the one who outscores Haga - afterall he is getting better and sometimes has had more speed than Haga this year.

@ Sick Cylinder

See where you're coming from, you may well be right. But the factory is small, I went round it this summer and was astounded by the camaraderie. Even if he did nothing on purpose, the staff at this small factory may feel Fabrizio has been disloyal to the family. That in itself might be enough, even if he is Italian.

Time will tell.

I really hope he is on a top bike (Aprilia?) next year, so no one can make excuses for his inconsistency. It must be tough to root for Shakey, sometimes brilliant, sometimes rubbish.

Shakey's bike this season has not been the best. You don't go from winning the BSB championship one year to failing to get a podium the next unless your kit is substandard.......... Ducati have made some serious mistakes with rider selection this year, and they need to address these problems before next season starts.
Apart from Yamaha, Aprilia is also knocking on the door, and Borgo Panigale might find that the best riders have already signed-up for the opposition!