Sete to Ducati

[Pedro]

Just seen on the MotoGP and Ducati websites that Sete Gibernau has signed for 2006 replacing Carlos Checa

Now I'm not his biggest fan and his ability to hit the sef destruct button on a regular basis and lack of wins since Qatar in 2004 makes me think he's not the best choice.

Any other comments.....

BTW - hats off to Loris today for a very gritty determined ride when he was obviously not back to full strength after his 130mph get off at Philip Island.


Ped

[andy pea]

I actually felt a bit sorry for gibernau today when his bike broke, after going so well in qualifying! I think he was beaten this season when rossi did him on the last corner of the first race... rossi had won the "mind games" from that point in?
Perhaps a good rest and starting next year with a new team will be just what he needs?

andy

[CK & AK]

Press release:

SETE GIBERNAU JOINS THE DUCATI MOTOGP TEAM


The Ducati MotoGP Team has reached agreement with Sete Gibernau to contest the 2006 MotoGP World Championship. The Spanish rider will join Loris Capirossi, who renewed his contract with the squad before September's Japanese GP.

"I'm delighted to welcome Sete," said Federico Minoli, president of Ducati Motor Holding. "We think Sete is one of the strongest guys in MotoGP. He's a talented, gritty and courageous rider. Sete has had a difficult season this year but he has shown throughout that he never gives up, in the best Ducati spirit. For this reason we're very proud to have him in our 2006 line-up alongside Loris. They are both very strong riders and we'll do everything we can to give them what they need to obtain the best possible results."

Gibernau replaces Carlos Checa, who completed his time with the Ducati MotoGP Team in today's Valencia GP.

"It's always difficult to welcome someone while saying goodbye to someone else," continued Minoli. "I want to sincerely thank Carlos for the commitment and professionalism he's shown us. For sure he's a great rider and also a nice guy; working with him has been a great pleasure."

Gibernau is optimistic about his future, trusting in the Ducati/Bridgestone partnership that has already given great joy to Ducati fans with some amazing results, including Capirossi's fantastic victories at the recent Japanese and Malaysian GPs.

"After achieving some great results and much satisfaction during the last few years, and after a season at the highest level but with some difficulties, I decided to make a change in my career," said Gibernau. "First of all I want to thank the people who helped me achieve so many good results. But now it's time to find some new motivation. The professionalism and enthusiasm I've found at Ducati are what made me decide to join forces with the factory. I face this new challenge with real determination, convinced that together we can achieve great success. In recent years Ducati has shown that it has big ambitions and huge potential. I trust that, with my experience, I can make a real contribution to turn our shared dreams into reality."


My thoughts are, that Ducati have completely lost the plot, and this 'could' have a dire potential of a backlash in dipping of sportsbike sales (you know, from the 'kings of the road' that swap their bikes each year for the most popular racers choice)
Faced with a choice of Checa or the gibbon, I'd have Checa
Just my opinion tho.........

[Paranoid Dave]

for once i don't think anyone will mind me giving my humble opinion, (except and pea who seems like a gibbon fan)
WTF are ducati thinking???? He's a total idiot, blames anything and everything, who cares what he's like in qualifying if he cant finish a race. I like to cheer on the ducati boys but now I'll just have to hope that his lingers at the back of the grid where he bolongs. He's had an unlucky season so may say, well until today it was his fault and somehow he still managed to try and talk his way out of it. I suppose he's after maxi bag's job as chief complainer next year.

I hope for everyones sake its only a one year contract.

[pete]

So let's say Gib went to Yamaha for next season, and Rossi went back to Honda. Who would bet on Gib winning the title ? :rolleyes:

[Fodder]

I actually agree with PD on this one. He's had his chances on arguably the best bike out there for the last couple of seasons and this season has gone backwards, I used to laugh at his whinging and excuses.
I can't deny that he is a good rider but is he a great one?

[scrumpster]

Well one minute Checa is staying and the next he isn't. So when Suzy questioned the bigwigs on the grid, they were doing a good job of covering up!! Gibernau, well he'll either have it or not, we see it all the time. This sport is somewhat unpredictable unless you are nicknamed 'The Doctor' it seems to me :rolleyes:

[Gilps]

Hope they give him a Multistrada as he spends more time on the grass than the tarmac.

[McMONSTRO]

Mmmm....cant say I'm over the moon about it, hardly set the best example this year, but who knows, could put his "ploughing" days behind him and come good next year.
I was at Valencia GP yesterday and he pulled out of the race right in front of where we were sat, the crowd all put their hands to their heads as if to say "not again", if they could have thrown themselves onto a sword they would have done, forming an orderly line behind Mr G himself!
Just a thought, did his fall from grace start about the same time he got some supermodel girlfriend? Perhaps the wrong sort of training in the motorhome :D

[NattyBoy]

Bad move..but hopefully he'll prove us all wrong.

My first choice would have been John Hopkins, young, fearless, and proven on bridgestone hoops...any other 'ideal' (but realistic!) choices..?

Nat

[claicerrig]

Not a Fair comment :eek: :eek: :eek:

Go Look at the Donny trackday Pics :p :p

Hope they give him a Multistrada as he spends more time on the grass than the tarmac.

[madhatter]

for once i don't think anyone will mind me giving my humble opinion.....WTF are ducati thinking???? He's a total idiot, blames anything and everything, who cares what he's like in qualifying if he cant finish a race.....

Now this one Dave, I agree with you 100%. I'm really disapointed that Ducati have signed up this sulky spaniard, who as you say always manages to blame everything other than his own incompetence. Not just my opinion either Mrs Madhatter (rebel) can't stand him even more so and cheers louder when he falls off or breaks down than when her idol (a certain Italian with curly hair) wins!

[nik_codling]

Should have stuck with Carlos I reckon - he's ridden superbly well recently. I bet he must feel a bit gutted to be out on his ear, having ridden so well recently.

It just goes to show how politically motivated MotoGP is, if it's that driven by marketing and PR over riding ability.

Did you see the smug look on the mullet's face when he got handed his new M5, the jammy get? Makes a change from the usual dummy-throwing antics that he employs!!

I reckon him and Loris should have an "interesting" relationship - get prepared for some almighty dragging on lower lip when Loris shows him who's boss! Go get him Loris, give him a taste of your cuban-heeled Alpinestars, bless yer little three-foot two and half!! :lol:

Nik

[w108rna]

I used to have time for Sete but after this season that has gone. For someone who promised so much he has never cut the mustard. His ability to fall off when the pressure is on is amazing. I don't know that it has much to do with the first race incident, these are people who should be full of their own self belief and be determind to get back on and put it past Rossi next race.

I will cheer Ducati on but i suspect it won't be Sete.

[fatbloke]

I thought a couple a seasons ago he was really going to worry Rossi.
how wrong can you be, I think he's going to make Ducati's life a misery
he'll moan, whinge and he's got a new excuse now, The bikes to fast..



Whos up for meeting him a Dony next year? any takers?

dont think I'll bother

[Mand]

Just him a chance, (I'm not his greatest fan either!) but I remember most people moaning when Checa got a Ducati ride last year. He can do wrong now!

You're a fickle lot!

[fatbloke]

I've started a poll here feel free to vote
http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?threadid=14861

[McMONSTRO]

I remember when Carlos Checa joined the boys from Bologna I heard him nicknamed "Careless Chucker", saw this one today:

Sete Gibernau


Sweaty Giveupnow


made me smile!

Roll on Jerez :burnout:

[craigie]

My first choice would have been John Hopkins, young, fearless, and proven on bridgestone hoops...any other 'ideal' (but realistic!) choices..?

Nat

I'm hoping the rumours of D'Antin getting '06 Ducatis on Bridgestones with James Ellison on one are going to come true. I think that would be interesting.

Personally I don't think Hopkins has what it takes but what do I know, maybe compared to Vermuelen next year we'll see what the Suzuki is made of.

[McMONSTRO]

Just read that it is a 1 year contract!

So we have "The Doctor", the "Roman Emperor" and now!

[Duncan]

Wonder how the end of season 2006 headlines will look???


1. Honda finally accept that Nicky Hayden isnt good enough so they give him the shove and take on a Bostrom brother to keep the Yanks happy
2. Valentino Rossi finally comes out of the closet and admits to his 7 year homosexual affair with Reno Salucci the fan club President. This doesnt stop him winning the championship on the Gay Times Yamaha in its pink livery
3. Max Biaggi goes back to 125s after no one else will hire him
4. Xaus crashes more bikes in Spanish superbikes than everyone put together and goes into Stock Car Racing
5. Dani Pedrosa has a difficult 1st year and after losing confidence gets called Dani Pedestrian
6. Ducati have an end of season sale on Ebay of all the old Desmosedichi stuff in readiness for the new 800cc bike. Fatbloke buys the ex Capirossi one in the hope he can touch the floor
7. Honda send all their bikes to the firms museum for posterity
8. Kawasaki send all their old bikes to the crusher
9. Shakey Byrne is still looking for a full time ride
10. Gibernau has a good season and everyone eats their words and goes out to buy the Giblets replica
11. Capirossi comes runner up in the championship after leading all season then realising the winners garland is too big for him