[intruderman]

Man, what a sad story. The team owner should have had the decency to tell Pascal himself. If I were a "Name" racer i would think twice about signing with a team that might cut me loose because of "chemistry". I have to believe that the "chemistry" thing is just an excuse for the real reason, whatever that may be. The fact that they were dragging their feet on giving him a contract probably means that they had their eye on someone else all along.

 

[Huss]

Oh man, you've got to feel bad for Pascal. Four years sticking with HD and then this?

 

[bigjames]

Methinks that Mitch is a worm. "I'm just a big believer in the chemistry of the team", what a load of horse feathers (gotta watch it or I'll get censored, again).



There is an old song that goes 'Smilng faces tell lies, they don't tell the truth", Pascal, never trust a folks you don't know who seem to be your friends in business. On the other hand, Pascal's managment team may have screwed the deal up too. Chances are we will never know.



Now I am really ticked off that Harley didn't try harder!

 

[Joe_Momma]

Horse feathers?



Is that a lot like Rabbit fins?







Anyway, it all sounds a bit funny and I didn't think HMC could just up and drop a contract like that but I guess they can. Hopefully someone will see the talent this man possesses and give him a ride. Yep, this man Ran 2nd at Colorado for most of the race on a Hardley and he deserves a better chance.

 

[Corystal]

If anybody else taped Daytona off of the speed channel, look closely at the Picotte interview in the paddock. Watch the team members in the backround, you can definately tell the team didn't appreciate Pascal's comments! I think you can see in this short segment that the"chemistry" was probably as Hansen says it was. Chemistry or not, it was rude to ambush Pascal.

 

[RickZ]

You're right on. Watching Picotte ride the wheels off a substandard HD for the last four years, I swear that guy has the talent to ride almost anything on two wheels to the podium (anything but a Harley). If someone just gives him a chance, and a decent machine, he will kick A##. Picotte needs to get with a team that will appreciate his talent and be patient enough for him to get comfortable with a new bike. IMO, he would be a perfect match for the Castrol Honda team. Picotte is the kind of team rider who would make Edwards and the rest even better, and vice-versa.

 

[DoubleL]

What did he say in the TV interview?

Corystal,

I missed the TV broadcast. What did Picotte say on TV that might have upset the team?

 

[Joe_Momma]

I normally am not impressed much by riders on twins, unless they really pull off the amazing, but PP is good. If you can do the things he did on that crappy bike, you can really ride. And just when you thought HMC would get Chandler, looks like the Austin Blue Bayou just made an order for Testa engines with 2001 frames and they will be hiring Chandler and HMC will have no rider, unless HMC can run crying to Pascal or sucker DC away from ABB team.

 

[Pacer]

It doesn't matter what he said. Ride your gut out on a crazy track, then have a $10 part break. I think you have got to give a guy some slack if he vents. Racing is about winning, not exchanging warm fuzzies. Picotte's adreniline was as high as it gets. Screw HMC I hope you watch every race from the stands.

 

[Joe_Momma]

Doesn't look like HMC will have any riders this season because J D Chandler is rumored to be riding for Austin Blue Bayou team with 2001 Chassis and 2002 testa engines. Maybe Picotte will get a free ride with them or Hansen may come crawling back. Seems like Chandler is/was in talks with both teams.

 

[BBD_Racing]

Now there is a funny possibility. chandler goes to HMC and Picotte to Blue Bayou. any guesses as to the result? Picotte eats Chandler's lunch all year. No dis on Doug, but he's past his prime and Picotte is fast and motivated.



Other thought: eventually, Aprilia is going to show up. There are two, maybe three really hot riders that will be very gettable. Boz, Picotte and maybe Gobert. Any of these would ride the wheels off the RSV.

 

[BBD_Racing]

Whoops, I meant the Aprilia deal is for next year, not this year.

 

[spotter]

I can't believe anyone would fire a rider of

Pasquale's ability after one race.It seems that

Mitch is not telling us something.Doug Chandler

is not at the same level he once was and is

less likely to be as competitive as Pasquale.

Somethings fishy at HMC.

 

[Cyberj10]

After reading this article and the one they posted on Cycle News (http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=3126) I can't tell you how incredibly pissed off I am at HMC Ducati, especially Mitch Hansen. What a ****!!! He knew damn well what he was planning on doing after Daytona, why else would he show up at Daytona without a contract for Picotte for the 2002 season? Here is a quote from the article on Cycle News:

"I never talked to him [Hansen]," Picotte said today. "He never returned my phone calls after Daytona. I'm really, really, really surprised. I thought he [Hansen] was special, a really kind man. I thought he had a lot of passion for racing and I thought the chemistry between us was really good. We had good tests, I worked well with the engineer they sent over from Italy. We went to Daytona and I kept hearing from them that I was the right person for the program. I missed the front row by a 10th of a second and he [Hansen] hugged me and told me how proud he was of me."

If Hansen would have talked to Picotte, like a MAN, and sat down with him and explained the situation I wouldn't feel the animosity I now feel for his program. How crappy you would feel if you were fired from your job (especially after your s***** bag boss told you what a great job you were doing) but the boss didn't even have the balls to tell you in person? Instead, he just had the secretary do it or sent you out a notice over email. That just straight up STINKS!!! It's all about how people are treated and how situations are handled and to me, HMC Ducati just plain spit in Picotte's face.

Another thing, what the hell was Picotte's manager thinking letting him start the season without a contract?!?! Un-F***ing-believable!!!! If I were Picotte's manager I would have been like "my guy doesn't touch your bike until the negotiating is done, signed and delivered (which should have happened way before the first race of the season). This just goes to show you that employers are always going to do what's right for them and you can't expect them look out for your interests. Picotte's manager should have known better.

I am going to stop typing now before I really tell how feel and get banned from the site, hehe. HMC Ducati had the right to do fire Picotte but the way they did it to him just straight up wasn't right. I would just like to say to Picotte, best of luck man. You are a mad talented rider and I hope you don't let this cowardly act discourage you from looking for another ride and getting back out there.

 

[Sparky]

What He said!!!!!!

 

[motodude1]

"no chemistry"....what a lame, sad-ass excuse!

 

[Pacer]

It's been said before, but if chemistry was the ultimate factor, Foggarty is damn lucky he didn't work for HMC.

 

[Patrick-of-the-Hills]

All those who think this "chemistry" has substantial amounts to do with the color green (especially in folding form), let's see hands.



Pascal, hang in there. Talent and determination will see through, somehow.