Should Ducati sign Gibernau?
 

Should they sign him or has Rossi done the number on him with his moind games? I personally reckon he has lost the plot entirely after Sunday. From where I was sitting it looked very like the sort of sit up and run off I would expect to see on a novice trackday - not that I haven't done it myself I hasten to add!!!

No

I agree totally with TP

The horse has bolted, I supect.

Think they should give him interview over winter.
I think he has the potential but seems to suffer from lack of attention during work hours.

so they need to sell more bikes in Spain.......

I'm not sure. I don't think it's as clear-cut as a straightforward 'no'. Gibernau has lost confidence and been out-psyched by Rossi no doubt, but if he got his confidence back, then I think they could do a lot worse - he has been a consistent front-runner and regular race winner over the last couple of years (excluding this one). He's the only rider to have regularly challenged Rossi, and is still pretty damn quick when he gets it together - witness his taking the pole away from Melandri at the weekend.
Bayliss was a superbike rider who never really made the grade in gp, Checa was an established midfield gp runner, Gibernau (until recently) was a consistent front-runner. On paper it seems like another step forward in the Ducati rider line-up.
Question is, will Gibernau get his confidence back, how will he adapt to the Bridgestones and the Desmosedici..?

I think it's a gamble.

Yeti,

I was looking for the option: "No 'cos he's a spent force with a brain made of custard"

but had to settle for no way.

Rgds, Rob

hate the bloke - no:sniff:

No way! There are a lot better riders out there, or a rising young gun like Stoner.

Let me see if I can add that one..........

I'm for the younger rider option. Gibernau wont bring the money cause Telephonica are going to F1 next year. Plus, I think Ducati will be only offering a 1 year contract. The're hoping Rossi will join them in 2007

No 4

and get Stoner

No he's a miserable twot.

Little Pedrosa would be ideal, could probably use Caparossi's settings at least as far as footpegs and clip-ons go. He certainly deserves a full Factory Moto GP ride.

go for marco

Hmmm, I agree with urban996 on this one but have to acknowledge the posts on Sete's confidence / attitude is low at the mo'

Initially I was hoping Melandri would have been an option.

I really fancy Pedrosa and Stoner as future MotoGp champs (stunning young talent!) but not staight away. A season on the big bikes then they'll be ready.

Sete really has the potential but new bike / tyres, who knows, certainly going to be interesting.

Pity Ducati couldn't of grabbed a certain young Aussie who's just been sitting in for a slightly older Aussie on the camel honda ;)

Maybe that's where Chris is going afterall!:o

i said yes for his experience alone.

not a fan of his especially but you dont become bad rider overnight and if ducati can improve the desmosedici who's to say what can happen?

its a gamble but so is everything in racing unless one of the factors is valentino.

I think Dickie's got a valid point here, I'm not a fan of Sete, but Ducati have taken a risk this year by switching to Bridgestones and to be fair have grabbed 2 wins and several podiums in the later half of the year through tyre development more than anything else (my belief anyway), so why not risk putting Sete on the bike?

Take this year out of the equation, he's been the only rider for 2 years to actually consistently give a challenge to Valentino, maybe Sete needs that new challenge like Rossi did to ignite that spark again to fight for the top spot!

On paper you look at the line up and it's probably the best in the paddock!

I said no cos I hate the guy. Always blames the bike for any errors. Has no confidence at all now. Should have been at the front this year given the bike he has but is 7th I think.

Get someone else - Stoner, Ellison, Shakey, hell Checa has done pretty damn good aswell...

Its a crazy decision if they do, I can't see what he brings to Ducati ( other than the personal sponsorship money they may need), he's not likely to win that many races, isn't the kind of rider that draws fans to the brand or gets on with the press. Its madness if they do, they should go for an up and coming rider like Marco , Tony Elias ,Pedrose/Stoner. A brand like Ducati needs riders they can make heroes of on the bikes. Can't see Sete ever doing that even if he is winning.

Maybe someone should point Ducati's marketing team to this thread before they sign on the dotted line.....

Ducati need someone with experience, someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level, and win conisitently, and what a race winning bike is like.

No-one measures up to Rossi, but (in my opinion) Ducati need someone experienced to steer them in the right direction at this stage, rather than a youngster high on enthusiasm but lacking experience.

And for what it's worth - I can't stand the bloke either

[Edited on 25-10-2005 by Urban996]

This guy certainly doesn't appear to have many fans. I know he has the experience, but then again he does tend to whinge a bit/lot.

Ducati needs someone with good PR.

How about Biaggi:lol::lol:

psychologically . . .
 

Rossi has nearly everyone beaten before the weekend starts.

Whilst Rossi is worried about where the camera is going to be placed on his bike - everyone else seems preoccupied with what VR is going to spring upon them in the race - rather than the task in hand!!!

Gib is a spent force, he hasnt won a race in well over 12 months, always crashes, is not a team player and blames the bike, or other riders "aggressive" (ha) manoevers at every opportunity to compensate for his lack of performance.

Maybe he should be in a team, where teamwork is the style of business - with Honda and Ducati - its all about the PR & the bike - Gib lacks confidence in himself, the bike and the team - to renew his efforts, maybe he should try someone different - Suzuki or Kawasaki for example.

I think he will be a waste of money for Ducati - Loris is far far better - mentally - probably the toughest out there.

I am a BIG Rossi fan - he is ace, has the most amount of fun and absolutely loves what he does - his enthusiasm is infectious - nobody comes close.

Next season he will be the man to beat - sure he will not win every race - that would be boring - but 11/16 + nearly double the number of points on 2nd position - with one more race to go - so far - there is and will be no competition in 2006 - you would be a fool to bet against him!!!

He has one thing that only a very few other riders have - humility.

Vermulen will be the surprise package next year - I think - I like Chris - again - he really enjoys what he does and is a team player - obviously - Marco and Hayden will feature heavily - and with so many other newbie's on the block - its going to be another great season.

Call it a day Gibernau - Biaggi - Checa (even though he has done really well recently) Barros etc etc - let the new kids show you the way!!!

Roll on 2006 + 2007 (800cc) - fantastic!!!!

Khushy

[Edited on 25-10-2005 by khushy]

They've got someone - Capirossi. On his day he can be every bit as fast and hard charging as the other "Rossi". He's been with the team from the start and obviously had a big hand in developing the bike. Leave him where he is and allow a youngster to benefit from his experience, not only of the bike, but winning.

Personally I would absolutely bloody love to see Vermuelen on the bike. now that would be a sight to see!

Ducati Corse, if you are listening, looks like Gibbo ain't got many fans on this island!

Sete Gibernau or should that be Shitty Gibberish - cos that's what his incessant petulance and whinging sounds like to me.

even before he opens his mouth he's doing things like inspecting the tyres and trying to signal to the world that there was something up with his bike. He doesn't win races even on top machinery and just makes excuses all the time

As for coaching a younger rider and bringing them on...Two things to that, First I don't think his ego would let him. Second, did you see the way he stomped into his pit in Turkey, sulking all the way? What sort of role model will he be then?

I could go on, and on about why I don't like him, but apart from that he's a top geezer :lol:

Remember, it's easy to be humble when you're winning!;)

I didn't mean Gibbon bringing on a youngster, I meant Capirex!!! :lol:

F*** me, as you say all The Gibbon could teach him would be 99 ways to throw his teddies out the pram, and 101 ways how to spit your dummy!

Italians don't like GIBERNAU.....

I am with them being one.

maybe I am soft but I really feel for Gibernau, he is one of the few that has ridden at Rossi's level, and I think as he has done it once he can do it again once his head is right. I also think that Rossi is the absolute master of media manipulation and mind games and the second scalp after Biaggi in the Rossi "I am no longer your friend" game.

I can also see that Ducati Corse need sponsorship money, Gibernau gives them that all important Spanish interest. As Ducati do not have a stroker 250 they do not have a route for youngsters; guess you need experience to ride a desmosedicci.

I guess realistically Ducati are not going for a championship win but perhaps podiums and a couple of wins so Capirossi and Gibernau are perhaps the best placed to do this.

Give Gibernau a Horlicks, and pack him off with a nice pair of slippers.........

Agree with Yeti - give the likes of Lanzi an excellent education under the wing of Capirex (& secure Championship positions 1&2 in 2007!).

As Sponsorship/Marketing manager for one of the Worlds top Downhill mountain bike companies ( we've won the World Cup 3 times out of last 5 years) I'm used to working with riders/sponsors and fans and have a fairly clear idea of what I consider successful to the brand I work for which is very similar to Ducati being a UK based, very high end, small volume manufacturer and fighting the might of the "big" companies every weekend. Ducati are a marque with loyal fans and the team/riders should inspire the fans despite the results. Don't get me wrong, results are important but Ducati fans know they are up against the might of the big Japanese factories and I'd think most of us accept that no matter who the rider ( with the exception of Vale) is its more than likely they won't win every weekend. Sete might be a good rider, undoubtedly he has ability but his personality wouldn't inspire me to buy a bike or remain loyal to Ducati. The brand needs riders who have that special something, Marco is getting there as is Nicky Hayden and Ducati should be looking for that star quality not going for an old timer who, as can be seen from this thread, is now a faded star. Capirex gives them the stability they should get a rider a alongside him who can benefit from that but at the same time bring enthusiasm and determination, when you're young the hunger to win is a lot stronger as Marco proved last weekend.

Bloody well said that man!

and Marco is Italian.... !!! (another..)

.....Just wanna see John Hopkins on something decent :sniff:

i do agree with the let's get young blood in the to the team ready for when rossi finally quits.because let's face it. it's his championship.as for sete moaning if were all truthfull don't we all throw our rattles out of the pram when things aren't going right.we have even seen the great rossi do it. yes i do like sete because if it wasn't for him for a couple of seasons it would have been the one man show it so nearly is now.
i can also remember alot of people ****ging of checa when he was signed to replace baylis and dare i say i think he has done a better job.
so maybe if sete does sign shouldn't we give him a chance before we hang him .anyway if he is cr** he'll get the sack afterall its not for life :D:D

[Edited on 25-10-2005 by dodgy]

Well put Gizmo, hit the hammer on the head. Ducati is about passion, so we need a passionate rider representing the bike.

No, good riders don't do it all the time, what brand wants a rider to represent them if its all complaining ?? I've been fortunate in all the sponsorships decisions I've taken, only once in over 11 years have I had that type of rider and I was glad when we parted company even though he had talent. I've worked with 2 amazing riders over the years , 1 a young rider who we were fortunate enough to get and take to his first world cup wins then onto a World Cup championship victory, the other a rider who like Sete had achieved almost everything yet his results with us have been incredible, he's had his best years and has given us a loyal fan base because of his personality and ability to relate to the fans but more importantly because his riding is inspirational to thousands of mountain bike riders, thats what Ducati need now. Both riders had isues with bikes , courses or kit but these were sorted behind the scenes never in public.

Sete ain't the rider that inspires me, he might well win races, poles etc but the character behind it doesn't make you want to go ride your bike. The only thing I do notice is that he's obviously a caring person, the 74 logo reminds me of that everytime I see it but thats not enough.

So, if all the riders were on the open market and available (apart from Rossi) who would be the ideal choice for Ducati. Mine would be Marco.