WSBK » Checa, Althea on pace after Ducati switch

I think Checa can be an outstanding rider at certain tracks, but in all honestly, this move to a privateer Ducati is just one step closer to retirement for the veteran. That said, he'll still probably finish around the 8-12th overall next year.

Shane Byrneard will hand Checa his 4rse on a silver platter next year if he gets a sniff of another Ducati. Nobody, with maybe the exception of perhaps Bayliss, rides a Duke better than Byrneard...

5 races before it goes down the pan

This is a travesty. Checa?

He is another of the GP regulars who supposedly dropped down into WSB and can't hack it. If Ducati are trying to help Althea find sponsorship for two more bikes, for Shakey, why didn't they advise the team to take him and dump the Spaniard in the first place?

because their smarter than you? fourteen works bikes on the grid next year. i suppose you think checa wont be in the top fifteen and shakey will be champ!

@ salvadordaarling

Sorry if I expressed an opinion, but purely on performance terms, Byrne is the much better man, given that his bike has reportedly not been upgraded for an entire year. Checa by contrast, was on the best Honda on the grid and can be balanced against his much less experienced team mate, Jonathan Rea.

Look at the results from the last 3 meetings. On balance only a blind or ignorant man would say Checa was a better bet for the Ducati, than Byrne.

Checa
Imola DNF and 10th, Rea 7th and 6th
Magny Cours 6th and 9th, Rea DNF and 3rd
Portimao 7th and DNF, Rea 2nd and 3rd

Byrne
Imola DNF and 7th
Magny Cours 8th and 7th
Portimao 4th and 4th.

Q.E.D., I think.

racefan or could it be mistic meg suggest you contact ducati and althea direct and inform those people you describe of your pearls of wisdom

Perhaps Checha brings more sponsorship dollars to the table the Shakey?

There is such a thing as politics in racing. If Checa can bring in more money to help support the team it really is a no brainer.

I cannot imagine Shakey would do any better on Checa's Duc than the one he road on this season.

Crime and politics, the situation is always....fluid.

@ salvadordaarling

All you have demonstrated is that you cannot interpret results and numbers.

You are welcome to your opinion, but it's wrong.

And fan, what are you talking about? Shakey led the 2nd race at Portimao for around 10 laps on a bike that's not been revised since 2008. That means he was in front of the 2 Xerox Ducatis.

Checa road around well behind Rea, his team mate, on the same machine.

We can derive from this that Checa cannot defeat his younger and less experienced team mate. Ergo, Byrne would have a better than evens chance of beating Checa in a straight fight. What is it you don't get?

I think you and Dali are the only 2 members of the Checa fan club.