WSBK » Biaggi courts Ducati Xerox

Get rid of Fabrizio and put Shakey AND Biaggi (if they must have him on a factory Duke) on the Xerox bikes. Who the **** is Fabrizio anyway, and what has he ever achieved to deserve a factory Xerox ride ? (apart from being a poxy Italian). He hasn't even won a single race at world level, not even in Supersport (5th in the championship in 2005), let alone Superbike. He knows all the circuits and has done almost 4 seasons now on the world scene and even on the best Superbike in the world hasn't even won a single race. Byrne has won twice at world level as a wildcard (unprecedented in my opinion), has 25 BSB wins and (at close of play in 2008) 2 BSB titles to his name.

Who says you can only win the title on a factory bike? The Ten Kate Honda is not and never has been a factory bike. That didn't seem to hold James Toseland back last year though!

I don't know about all this talk about Max 'deserving' the title. He's won plenty of world titles already and with that kind of pedigree he should have been more consistent in WSBK. I just think he blows hot and cold and that is not what is needed to lift titles.

I honestly believe that Byrne is a better choice as he has never given less than his best, even when the bike has been a bag of nails (Aprilia Cube, for example)

Thanks Ian. I couldn't agree more. Corser won the title on the GSXR1000 in '05, so with two years of 'Corser development' to benefit from, and his pedigree / history, Biaggi should have stuffed Bayliss and Toseland in '07 on the Suzuki. He makes too many silly mistakes these days to be a serious title contender. Take race 2 at Brands on Sunday. His second year at Brands and 4th race, yet he goes grass tracking at Graham Hill bend. Not exactly the hardest of corners at Brands to master. The crashes he's had this year also have been quite amateurish for someone of his supposed ability. Byrne rides that 1098 like its a little toy and makes it do things that only he and Bayliss seems capable of.

Ian and Nitro Nori - I agree with your comments and add the following - Biaggi was superb on the Suzuki, but the Ducati just doesn't suit him. It was developed around Bayliss' forceful style and Biaggi has on several occasions referred to it as very hard work. I think his numerous mistakes this season follow from trying to muscle around a bike that doesn't suit him. Putting him on the works Ducati therefore would be good for publicity, but not for winning championships.

If Haga gets the Ducati ride which is one of the current rumours now that Yamaha have upped Rossis wages and can't meet Hagas demands maybe Biaggi will go to Yamaha. I still fancy Biaggi at Aprilia if they enter in 2009.

Haga is a superb rider but I can not see how he is more consistent than Biaggi. Beside he was not really a contender on the Ducati as far as I remember. The Yammie suits him the best, but he is still not WC yet. If I were Haga, I would stay at Yamaha and his chances will double with Bayliss's retirement for next year.
I am not sure Max could go for the WC as well however I am a fan of his. My choice would be Corser, he is superfast, quite consistent but the Yammie is not his bike unfortunately. I think he could get along with the Xerox Ducati and go for the WC next year.

Except Corser already has a job for next year at BMW.

Ian - Corser is still negotiating with Yamaha - presumably to get BMW to up the offer. The most likely outcome is Corser to BMW and Haga staying at Yamaha - apparently Yamaha can't afford them both.

No one has mentioned Gibernau - Hayden will probably take Melandris seat and if Gibernau doesn't want a satellite Ducati ride I think Canapa will get it - maybe Gibernau would take the Xerox Ducati ride? Apparently Ducati are trying to tempt Vermeulen onto the Xerox bike with the promise of a factory MotoGP seat if he wins the WSB title.

Does anyone know who the riders will be for the Boulder Ducati (USA) team next year? Hopefully some fast Americans.

USA rumours have Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki pulling out of AMA racing in protest at DMG changing the rules / class structure. That would leave Hodgson and a number of others without a ride in 2009 (maybe Hodgson to Boulder or GSE if Byrne goes to Xerox), however it's also possible that DMG will delay the rule changes to 2010 or the manufacturers will set up a rival US race series.

Fascinating to see what happens to the Ten Kate line up - maybe Pitt is being considered by BMW if they don't sign Corser. I guess Sofuoglu will go back to WSS and Pitt and Rea will step up to WSB with Kiyo and Checa staying in WSB. Ten Kate have been talking about running 4 riders in WSB. Spies to Alstare?

Things looks pretty bad on the AMA front. ALL of the factories look to be pulling out if the rules by DMG are implemented. There was an article on superbikeplanet.com the other day that said no teams have resigned rider, mechanics, and most importantly sponsors or suppliers. That's serious. The good news is that most guys are trying to get a WSBK ride. Frank Batta from Alstair Suzuki stated that he would love to have Spies but couldn't afford his salary with help. If Spies doesn't get a decent MotoGP ride than I'm hoping he goes to WSBK with Suzuki US helping out with the salary. What else will they do with the budget and no team? Anyway, more riders in WSBK is always good!

Byrne has won twice at world level as a wildcard (unprecedented in my opinion)

FYI Nitro - there is precedent. Tamada did the double in 2001 at Sugo against Edwards(!) and Bayliss(!) and to make it look good won 1 of 2 rounds in 2002. Too bad he and Laconi and getting tossed down the road by the Kwak this year. How bad does the Kwak has to be when you got 2 guys who have won in MotoGP/500cc and WSBK and can't make Superpole every race?