Could Gibernau Save Ducati? – Redux
If you can’t laugh at yourself, life is going to seem so much longer. So, in that vein, I present you with one of the calls Ducati News Today made in 2009 that let’s just say didn’t work out all that well!! Sete Gibernau, the grand choker himself, going to save Ducati. I’m laughing already.
As stupid as it seems now, it wasn’t quite as ridiculous back in February 2009 before anyone had turned a wheel to chase MotoGP glory. Rumors were circulating that a wrist injury was going to keep Casey Stoner out for the season. Ironically, no-one could have predicted that he would start the season but would instead bow out for 3 races with an unexplained medical condition now thought to be lactose intolerance.
By contrast, Sete Gibernau was coming back to the premier class after 2 seasons off. Gibernau had some titanic battles with Valentino Rossi during the 2003/4 seasons where he was the only rider to regularly challenge Vale, taking 8 victories and 2 second places in the title race for his trouble. Along the way he amassed the highest number of points ever for a second place finisher.
Gibernau was riding a Grupo Francisco Hernando satellite Ducati. At the Sepang tests he finished 12th, just 2/10ths off Nicky Hayden’s best time despite his inferior machinery and lack of saddle time compared to the American rider. Interestingly, Gibernau who had raced in the 500cc/990cc era found the 800′s electronics almost a hindrance requiring him to unlearn throttle control.
Coming from the two-stroke 500 and 990cc four-stroke era, Gibernau said the biggest area he needs to improve is acceleration. Having honed his throttle control on bikes that needed finesse and precision, electronics sometimes are proving more of a hindrance than help.
So how did it turn out? Not well. The team collapsed after just 3 races as the global economy unwound leaving Gibernau without a ride. Sete’s results were unremarkable, plagued with old and new injuries alike, allowing him to only achieve a best finish of 11th place.
If you want to keep on laughing, you can read the original Could Sete Gibernau save Ducati’s 2009 MotoGP Season?
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Giberneau “Dave” Ducati ????
You don’t know him? Seriously my bad for screwing up the title. Fixed now