Capirossi demands help from Ducati

The veteran rider has struggled to be competitive so far this year, having climbed onto the podium just once in five races.

In contrast, teammate Casey Stoner has scored three wins and is leading the championship with 102 points. Capirossi has scored 38 and is seventh in the standings.

The Italian, who last year scored three wins on his way to third place in the standings, has been struggling to adapt his riding style to the GP7 bike, and he reckons Ducati must now focus on helping him get out of his difficult situation.

"The beginning has been difficult," Capirossi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "The bike is a winner, but I haven't been able to get the results I was hoping for. I'm struggling, I'm not riding well. I must change my style, but Ducati must help me too.

"I've always given it all, even when things weren't going right. Now that it's me needing a hand, I demand some help. I developed the bike from zero and I won races. If the Ducati has reached the level it has, it's also thanks to me."

Although the bike was developed mainly by Capirossi, the Italian reckons too many changes were made since then.

"When we discussed the project with (Ducati's technical director Filippo ) Preziosi, we concluded that with the aid of electronics we could gamble on a screamer engine," he added.

"At the beginning I felt good on the 800cc, I was quick. After that, a lot of parameters were modified, especially on fuel consumption: this GP7 has nothing to do with the one from back then."

He added: "Casey corners more sharply, which allows him to get on the power with the bike almost upright. My speed in turns is a lot higher, even 15 km/h on fast corners, but at turn-exit Stoner launches on the straight like a bullet. It's easy to say but difficult to do.

"If there are two riders, they must both be competitive. It's totally wrong to think that with Stoner winning it's fine as it is."

The 34-year-old, a three-time champion in other categories, says his lack of pace has nothing to do with his motivation, and he claims he remains as committed as ever.

"No way, there's no relaxation," he said. "At Le Mans I was among the fastest in the first and second sectors, the one with the quick sweeping corners. If one slows down, he does it in the quick sectors, not in the slow ones.

"It's understandable that looking from the outside, with Stoner winning, one might think I'm over the hill, but I'm not. I'm a brave rider, I don't shy away, I've never whinged, I've never looked for excuses.

"Now I'm asking for some help and I won't quit racing until I get back to winning ways."