WSBK » Ducati: Vermeulen, Biaggi or Byrne

Max has flattered to deceive for years, does not look capable of winning a race most of the time let alone a championship. I am not sure that missing your braking point by 20mph and 20 yards at the end of the straight can be classed as a technical problem !
It's not just about being a fast rider on the right bike, you need a rider who has already won championships.
The only moto gp riders intersted are those that have not achieved, although I am still suprised by the gullability of some teams who renew contracts on the back a couple of half decent results at contract renewal time. If they were any good they would do it all season.
How hard can it be to fill the hottest seat outside MotoGP

Byrne, must be going cheap.

If they take on Shaky, Xerox Ducati will have a smaller wage bill than what they would have if they employed Max.

Although I did wonder whether the Xerox Ducati deal might already have been done when Max went to Sterilgarda. Was Max planning ahead and getting used to the Ducati machinery for a year before going to the factory team?!!

I had forgotten about Pitt! I still don't know if this would be a good choice for Xerox Ducati. I think an experienced rider next to Fabrizio is the best combination - which is why I think Corser would be the best choice. Pitt to Sterilgada to replace Xaus, or Yamaha to replace Corser.

Why is everyone so keen on Byrne? Obviously, he's going well in BSB. So was Kiyonari last year. This year, he's on the reigning champions bike and has been mediocre.

There are some riders in WSBK who I think cannot win championships - Biaggi, Checa and (unfortuntely) Haga, for example. Granted they are good riders that can win races, they just can't put it together for a whole season.

Why not Haga on the Xerox?

Only one person capable of replacing Baylis and that's Max. Shakey second, Vermulen no where!! Vermulens a second rate MotoGP rider (wish I'd been that good, but!). Max is THE quality rider in that trio with Shakey a GOOD second. However if Max had not had Philip Island where he would have beaten Baylis (if onlies mean little admitted). Max is Italian (so I'm told) is a great rider and will do well on the works Ducs next year. Good luck to the others, but Vermulen no way.

Thanks for the correction re Dovi Raw Dawg - that's all of the top ten MotoGP guys have WC's in some field. That is QUITE an achievment: shows how tough it is at the top!! Bolts: Pitt won't go back to Yamaha after being dropped without notice for Corser - any of he Ducatis would suit his very fast entry style of riding - any of the 800's as well though he's unlikely to get the chance. I don't see Max getting the Xerox job: he's too hard on his team mates and Fabrizio is pretty well liked by Tardozzi. Pitt is still my best choice. But I am more than just a bit biased.

The Xerox Duacti seems to have a real family feel about it as well. My guess is they want team players. I think of Max Biaggi as more of a "me, me, me" type rider where everything revolves around Max and not so much the team.

Tonyed, where do you come to this second race rider conclusion in regards to CV. Looking at this results he is far the best rider on a 2nd rate Suzuki in the 4 stroke/motogp era. I think his 2 years in WSBK on the brand new Honda 4 Cyl with no development, and to run 2nd to Troy Corser in his final season, proves he has a heap of talent. Barry Sheen saw something in him as a few others have.

Then again I am a biased CV fan.

shayne is past it and away from the domestic scene shakey will struggle,max is to hot and cold and a old man with limited shelf life and i cant see chris walking away from moto gp in a million years as i have said before the best bet for ducati would be to forget winning the title for a couple of years take on a youngster train him up and look to the long term future not old riders that will just leave them in the same posistion as they are in now in a season or two!!!!

Troy cannot be replaced. He's everything to everyone....his fans, his factory....the guy is just the real deal. I will be rooting for Max Neukirchner on the Suzuki next year.......without Troy, there is no need for me to root for them.