Make no mistake
This Corse rejig is all down to the corporate blindness of the Ducati CEO Del Torchio - Rossi fanboy in chief.
Ducati threw far more resource and money at the D16 during Rossi's two year tenure than they ever did for Stoner. Burgess thought it was a motorcycle capable of winning, he felt it much closer to the mark than the 2003 M1. Nor did Burgess have any problems with the L engine. He too was let down by his rider. We heard plenty of his frustration with Rossi during this season.
The GP12 had the same forks, brakes and electronics as Yamaha, same chassis type, and an acknowledged strong engine - which limp wristed Rossi felt was too aggressive - yet Dovi found it very accomodating in Valencia testing. Where's the problem with the motorcycle? Dynamic weight distribution with a 67kg lump on top can (or should be able to) easily overcome any perceived static weight distribution issues.
And let's remember despite all Wosi's bluff and bluster (because that's all it is - zero substance) laps times have not moved on significantly since 2010. In fact 2011 Stoner ran very similar times on the RCV to those he did on the previous years D16 in comparable conditions. We can only wonder what Stoner would've done on the thing with the more compliant 2012 generation Bridgestone front, either the initial 2012 one or the softer Rossi spec type 33.
The D16 may not be the best bike on the grid, but the reality is it's only 'teenths off to RCV's & M1's, and not the million miles the Oompa Loompa bleat.
Rossi has amply displayed his one dimensionality, barely beating Mr Mediorce Hayden 2011/12. Don't expect much more from him 2013. The game's been upped and he's the one gasping. Such a shame the open minded Preziosi is the one to pay the price. Although I feel this announcement is more head lining than substance. Preziosi will still be involved with the evolution of the D16 engine.
