Who cares
If Stoner is a good development rider or not FFS
Honda have hired him because he's fast and can win races - presumably. 4 out of 7 wins and I'd guess they are happy with the return so far
Honda hire test riders and designers and engineers to do the development for them
The racers ride the bike. If they want changes they ask for them
They ask for changes to suit themselves, no-one else. Can't really see Pedrosa saying the bike is fine for me but Stoner doesn't like this bit, can you change it for him. I know it won't suit me but hey-ho, we need a bike we can all ride.
Ultimately, I'd guess that the team manager makes a final decision as to whether any change requests submitted by the riders are implemented or not. After consultation with engineers, designers, rider and the accountant. It's not a rider's fault if the team won't change things.
No-one on here has the faintest idea of the conversations and discussions that take place between riders and team as regards changing the bikes.
If Honda's design team, engineers and test riders can continue to provide bikes that their riders can win on do you think they will give a toss about their riders' 'development skills'
We do know Stoner advised Ducati of the same problems as Rossi has. We know Ducati have canned their WSB team in order to give Rossi anything he wants whereas there was nowhere near that type of funding to do the same with Stoner. That's from Stoner himself so call him a liar if you like.
Rossi's feedback has been pretty inconsistent since he got on the bike. First the back end was superb, loads of grip with excellent traction control. Just the front to sort out. Next it was begining to feel like 'his bike' and he was very happy. Next the back end was no good and they had to cure the Ducati's characteristic rear end sliding and hopping (what happened to it being superb with loads of grip) Then the front is still no good.
If this had come from any other rider, particularly Stoner, they'd be called clueless and lacking any direction at all. Being realistic about it however, it is fair to assume that changes they are making along the way affect other aspects of the bike's behaviour, hence the differing feedback as test sessions progressed.
7 months later and they still have the same problem, front end that inspires no confidence. Again, if that was Stoner or anyone else they'd be publicily ridiculed on here for their lack of ability to provide feedback.
So does this mean Rossi can't develop a bike then.
I know what the answer would be if it was someone else.
Give it a rest with the Stoner/Rossi crap.
