Valentino Rossi has asked for a Gresini Honda says Marco Melandri

[SpeedLimit?]

The rumors that the once considered fairy tale marriage between Valentino Rossi and Ducati is heading towards an annulment are growing stronger; especially considering all his struggles in trying to tame the GP11 and 11.1 and despite the Italian saying “Will I stay with Ducati in 2012? I said I think so, meaning that I reckon that staying here is the logical choice.”

The latest gossip was that Rossi was thinking returning to the Honda fold or run his own MotoGP team with the Japanese manufacturer’s bike, but that was more or less pooh-poohed away, but now the soon-to-be-out of a job Marco Melandri has just lent some credibility to that rumor.

“I know that Valentino Rossi has contacted Gresini for a Honda in 2012: all this confirms what I’ve been saying for some time, that the marriage between the” Doctor “and Ducati have the months counted, said Melandri, who had his own personal stormy relationship with Ducati, that included sessions on a psychologist’s couch.

Whether this is just some summer gossip to fill websites remains to be seen, but that second year option in Rossi’s contract may allow him bow out and count his blessings, and try to forget a nightmare season where for the first time since 1996, he hasn’t had a win to add to his legendary statistics.

SOURCE: http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/69...marco-melandri

[DaC]

If it's true, and Rossi leaves, it would be a good lesson for Ducati. A hard lesson for sure, but whether he stays or leaves it will be good for Ducati.

If he stays because he can turn the handling around, good for Ducati.

if he leaves because he doesn't get enough support from Ducati and can't make the bike handle, heads are going to roll and hopefully the right changes happen to get Ducati back on track and competitive again.

Either way, I'm not dogging Ducati. I love the brand and will be rooting for them. I'd love to see Italian legend win on legendary Italian bike brand. I would think Rossi would too, there has to be some national pride at play here. I wonder if this isn't just a bit of poker going on here?

[dv8ryan]

Originally Posted by DaC

If it's true, and Rossi leaves, it would be a good lesson for Ducati. A hard lesson for sure, but whether he stays or leaves it will be good for Ducati.

If he stays because he can turn the handling around, good for Ducati.

if he leaves because he doesn't get enough support from Ducati and can't make the bike handle, heads are going to roll and hopefully the right changes happen to get Ducati back on track and competitive again.

Either way, I'm not dogging Ducati. I love the brand and will be rooting for them. I'd love to see Italian legend win on legendary Italian bike brand. I would think Rossi would too, there has to be some national pride at play here. I wonder if this isn't just a bit of poker going on here?

I'm willing to bet this is a huge head game Rossi is playing to get Ducati to do more. He has an end goal and I'm sure he'll do whatever he can and use his pull to make that happen.

[dudecati]

Originally Posted by dv8ryan

I'm willing to bet this is a huge head game Rossi is playing to get Ducati to do more. He has an end goal and I'm sure he'll do whatever he can and use his pull to make that happen.

Hadn't thought of it that way but that does make sense...

[MrAlien]

I think he is to old to get a ride on a top tier team.

[Ryan...]

Originally Posted by MrAlien

I think he is to old to get a ride on a top tier team.

You cannot be serious.

[Matt_P]

Gresini Honda isn't even gonna have a factory bike next year...

It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out, but I'm more interested in seeing if Ducati can get their shit together than seeing Rossi on a Honda.

[Ryan...]

I imagine if Rossi were to go to Gresini they would supply him with factory parts. Both Rossi and Honda would undoubtedly benefit from that: Rossi gets a bike he can win on, and Honda gets to learn from Rossi's development on the bike..

[DucmanST3]

He's pals with Marco again
He could be Honda's version of Edwards
Naw he's going to be Ferrari's next world champ
I think he will be the richest biker in the unemployment line first

[rcrob]

I'm thinking Ducati was right to send Marco to a shrink because clearly he's crazy.

Maybe that "Max Slap" knocked some shit lose..

There is no way Gresini could even hope to pay Rossi the kind of money he commands. The key to a good rumor is that it needs to be grounded in some basis of reality, this rumor is nowhere near that.