Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Now that HMC Ducati has announced that Doug Chandler has officially joined the team, we called team owner Mitch Hansen to find out if they have added any new personnel to their crew.

“We’re gonna add one person, but I’m talking to two people right now,” said Hansen, reached Friday at his dealership in Wisconsin. “We’re really close, but it’s not a done deal. I’d like to have the new guy at Laguna next week to work with Doug. Hopefully, it will come together quickly.

“It’s been a rough week. I’ve been hammered in the press. Now, I’m starting to get hammered by Pascal’s (Picotte) fans. I made the decision that I felt in my heart was right, and I’m going to have to live with it. I’ll tell you this, it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Pascal is a quality rider and a quality person, but things just didn’t gel like they needed to and that’s important.”

Sources inside the HMC Ducati team have said that conversations between current Kawasaki engine development chief and former Chandler crew chief Gary Medley have taken place.