Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/155043
VOL. 50 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 20, 2013 rumored to be more than $7.5 million for a twoyear deal. Which would certainly sweeten any more time spent in the waiting room for a rider who has never before chased money over success. So what awaits Ducati's latest sacrificial lamb? The immediate past history is not encouraging, but there are some bright spots he might pick out. The most successful Ducati rider was Casey Stoner, and there is a certain similarity in riding style and approach between the two. The words "gung" and "ho" spring to mind. Whether this is enough in itself might be a little far-fetched. Then the recent history. Ducati's most recent sacrifice is Andrea Dovizioso, Cal's teammate at Monster Yamaha last year. The two were so close that at a number of races they could hardly be separated by a feeler gauge. Dovi has in some ways done a bit better with the Duke than Rossi - twice on the front row, though he has yet to match his predecessor's three rostrums. But his long face and the fact that he has now switched to the experimental "lab bike" in desperation tell a somber story. Maybe Crutchlow knows something we don't. Maybe he's seen the prototype of next year's bike, and it's a Honda clone but with desmo valves. (It's only a dream.) Or maybe he knows the same as the rest of us: That there really isn't much choice. And in those circumstances, it's worth the gamble. For all the wrong reasons, he's become a spare part at Yamaha. Just like Dovi before him, he has to hope for the best and take what Bologna can give him. Let's hope they come up with the goods. Otherwise it looks very much as though Britain's best hope in 40 years may have sacrificed his career for a heart full of hope and a fistful of dollars. And that Yamaha has lost one of its better riders for much the same reasons - albeit the other way around. CN P127 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago August 28, 1973 An image of John Long and Mike Clarke battling at Pocono was featured on the cover 40 years ago. Gary Nixon won the road race National for the third time in a row... Speaking of three in a row, Roger DeCoster edged out Willi Bauer in Holland for his third-straight 500cc World Motocross title. 30 Years Ago August 31, 1983 We featured the Maico 490 Sand Spider on the cover 30 years ago to accompany our test on the German desertracing sled... Freddie Spencer passed Kenny Roberts in the final corner at the Swedish GP. Roberts wasn't happy… Ron Lechien (125cc) and David Bailey (500cc) shared wins at the Lakewood, Colorado, National Motocross… Jay Springsteen won the Peoria TT. 20 Years Ago August 25, 1993 Jeff Emig made the cover 20 years ago for winning the Spring Creek National MX in the 125cc class, keeping his small points lead intact. Jeff Stanton won the 500cc class… Ricky Graham won the Rapid City Half Mile… Three days later, Will Davis won the Dallas Half Mile… Charley Bogard and Clint Latham were some of the big winners at Ponca City. 10 Years Ago August 20, 2003 Dirt Track racing, along with winners Terry Poovey and Chris Carr, were featured on the cover 10 years ago… Zach Osborne, Mike Alessi, Nicco Izzi, Ian Trettel, Derek Costella, Eli Tomac, Blake Wharton and Ryan Villopoto were the talk of the town at Ponca City… Geoff Aaron won the National Trials title. Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives