| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
I have the feeling that sooner or later Stoner will end up in a Honda The grass is always greener..... Stoner has has a better finishing record on the Ducati than either of the HRC teamsters this season, and he hardly covered himself in glory last time he rode a Honda. The team setup up at Honda isn't as relaxed, laid back and rider focussed as he currently enjoys either, and I don't think he would last long before feeling like just another cog in the machine exacly as Rossi did. Unless Honda change the way they operate, which is unlikely, then individuals like Stoner, Rossi and Lorenzo won't fit into their corporate world. | ||
| Jaimec |
I disagree on Stoner's ability as a development rider. He might be good at riding the bike, but if the bike was developed with his input then he's the ONLY one who can ride it. To a lesser extent, Rossi is almost in the same category. I remember an interview with Colin Edwards where he said he took Rossi's bike for a spin and couldn't push it anywhere NEAR as fast as he'd like because it just felt WEIRD. Before the control tire era, Rossi used to have "special tires" made up that were apparently considerably stiffer than what everyone else was using. Yamaha made their biggest leap forward when Rossi was injured during the off-season and Edwards did the primary development work. That was the last season Edwards rode with the factory team as the next year he was replaced by Jorge Lorenzo but all four Yamahas were on the pace from Day 1. I didn't think Colin would ever want to leave the Yamaha family but I hear rumors he's been talking to Aprilia regarding WSBK so who knows? Oh yeah... and I think Honda is STILL cleaning the wreckage out of their garages from the LAST time Stoner rode for them... (Message edited by Jaimec on June 29, 2009) | ||
| Trojan |
Oh yeah... and I think Honda is STILL cleaning the wreckage out of their garages from the LAST time Stoner rode for them... +1  Edwards has been seen speaking to the people at Aprilia, who he knows of course from his time on the Aprilia Cube in his first GP season. He would fit straight into that team, although I have some doubts about his ability to fit in around Biaggi, as Colin may be too plain speaking for his taste There is a very strong rumour that Honda will be back in WSB next year with a 'factory' team again, run by Neil Tuxworth from the Honda UK base. This is the same team that ran Edwards' WSB winning campaign and would mean that the BSB Honda team would no longer run, although it would effectively be the same team at WSB. I doubt they would retain both of their current riders, although Josh Brookes seems a good investment, so this would be another team that Edwards has history with and would probably welcome an experienced rider to go with Brookes. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I do not think that Stoner had more crashes or damaged more bikes, than Lorenzo in his rookie year. At least he got the championship in 2007 for Ducati. I know it is hard for Rossi fans to swallow that ! OR the fact he is faster than Rossi... I really wonder how HRC is feeling that they lost Stoner. | ||
| Jaimec |
I think HRC is far more upset they lost Rossi. Don't kid yourself. | ||
| Duggram |
I read one of Rossi's books, something about a memoir. He seems to have gotten a lot of satisfaction from leaving HRC and from picking up Yamaha. He had a lot of trouble with HRC not listening to him. I gave the book to the neighbor. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've got that book. EXCELLENT reading: "Rossi: What If I Never Tried It?" He also found the corporate culture at Ducati too similar to what he was trying to escape from Honda. The Honda culture at the time was "it doesn't matter who rides our bikes, he will become the champion because our bikes are the best." Rossi didn't like the idea that his talent wasn't as important as the motorcycle. He proved his point when he switched brands and won the title on THAT one, too. When he switched, everyone thought he was committing career suicide because the M1 was considered a far inferior machine to the all-conquering Honda. With Jeremy Burgess' help, Rossi proved otherwise. And now? The M1 is considered the best bike on the grid. Coincidence? | ||
| Trojan |
I wonder where he will look next to get his motivation? I can't see him extening his Yamaha contract beyond 2012 as he has nothingleft to prove in MotoGP once he has passed Ago's record of 122 wins. Maybe he will go to WSB or even try to get a full set by racing in Moto2 for a year? I think he is more likely to turn to 4 wheels, either at the wheel of a Ferrari in F1 or more likely in World Rallying, where he has already impressed with his drives in New Zealand and Britain last year. One thing is sure. It will be a sad day for MotoGP when he does decide to retire. | ||
| Jaimec |
He has stated the WSBK looks like a more fun and challenging series than MotoGP currently. Maybe he can try for Bayliss' records? Or take on that newcomer from Texas? | ||
| Jaimec |
By the way, for the first time I can remember here in the States, SpeedTV will be broadcasting the Qualifying Practice on Saturday at Laguna Seca!! | ||
| Vagelis46 |
"One thing is sure. It will be a sad day for MotoGP when he does decide to retire." Rossi's riding, will be greatly missed, when he retires. This is sure. Not his fans, those ones that they think that Rossi is bigger than motoGP. | ||
| Buell2001b |
jaime, rossi left honda for the money too. the green is the main reason why people go to other teams. | ||
| Buell2001b |
well if you take onto account that amount of practice rossi has raced in those tracks compared to stoner or lorenzo. he def has more track expeience and when one rides that much your memory gets better was where turns are at, best places to take over, etc. | ||
| Buell2001b |
rossi is just trying to be likable by WSB people when he says that. why would anyone that is part of the elite go to a lower ranking racing!!!!!. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
You can downgrade when you get older. Also for the record braking, or "been there, done that" | ||
| Duggram |
2001, you need to read that book. Rossi was quite specific about his beef with management. On another forum it has been speculated that WSBK is growing in popularity while MotoGP is slipping. I have no idea, but if true that would be another reason for Rossi to conquer new territory. But I doubt it. Don't you think he is thinking about the new up and coming kid, that may be in MotoGP next or the year after? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I think Rossi has done quite enough in MotoGP. He doesn't like the new rules. I think it is very believable that he might goto WOrld Superbike when his contract is up. His personality would fit something totally off the wall like that. MotoGP without Rossi wouldn't be worth watchhing. I would love to see Rossi on a production-based bike more than anything. It would hit closer to home. I think his popularity would be more than ever if he goes to WSBK. God I hope it happens! | ||
| Crusty |
I'd like to see what Rossi could do with an XR-750 at the Springfield Mile. | ||
| Trojan |
Don't you think he is thinking about the new up and coming kid, that may be in MotoGP next or the year after? Rossi has said that he is more motivated by close competition than anything else, and that the close nature of this years series is making him more motivated than ever, so I don't think he will jump ship at the thought of another talented newcomer getting in MotoGP. In an interview in todays MCN he says that he is 'scared' of only one thing, and that is retirement. So long as he is enjoying his racing I don't think it will really matter where he does it, so he could end up staying in GP for 5 more years or call it a day in 2012 and try something new. I too would love to see Rossi race a Superbike, but to be honest I don't think that there is the in depth talent and opposition in WSB to keep him interested and motivated for long. Anyone going to Laguna tomorrow (Thursday) to see Rossi, Roberts, Lawson & Rainey take part in the Superkart 'demo'? Should be quite an event and I don't think that they will be holding back either | ||
| Jaimec |
I was under the impression Rossi was going to do a couple of demo laps, but not actually compete. I don't think Fiat Yamaha wants to trust their hottest property to NOT have an accident and get hurt in something so frivolous... | ||
| Duggram |
For me Laguna is going to be the race of the year. MotoGP with AMA support races (American SB and DSB). I wanted to go but.... For sure next year. I used to see the AMA road races there every year in the 60's. Even though it has changed I'm sure I would still love the venue. Off topic: did you know that you can't enter the letters asb in capitals on this forum without it being converted to American Sport Bike? | ||
| Trojan |
I was under the impression Rossi was going to do a couple of demo laps, but not actually compete. I don't think that Rossi knows the meaning of 'demo lap' judging by his visit to the Isle of Man this year, where he was hitting 160mph in places on his 'demo lap'. As he started his career racing karts (an still drives them whenever possible) I'm sure there will be a competitive edge between him and the other drivers that will make it a pretty fast 'demo', even if not a race. | ||
| Buell2001b |
again why would anyone that races in the Big leagues change to minor league. the one guys who do that are th ones that can not make it on the Big league and realize one day the Minor league is where they belong. Not everyone was maent ot be a GREAT. some of us have it some of us don't. MOTO GP is the King of racing. In any country you travel people know that. | ||
| Crusty |
Sometimes, the Big Leagues become the Minor Leagues. Witness the Dominance of NASCAR over Indy cars. All the really fast open wheel drivers are now scrambling to get Cup rides. (and when they do, it takes a while before they become really competitive). Maybe the Europeans are coming to realize what the AMA figured out almost 25 years ago. That more people will shell out cash to see motorcycles they can identify with racing over more advanced machines that bear little resemblance to what spectators can buy. | ||
| Trojan |
Maybe the Europeans are coming to realize what the AMA figured out almost 25 years ago. That more people will shell out cash to see motorcycles they can identify with racing over more advanced machines that bear little resemblance to what spectators can buy. Ah but 50 years before Superbikes we Europeans already had GP bikes  Superbikes are OK but not a patch on the real thing One big problem that I have noticed with 'production' based racing is that, rather than make the racing interesting for spectators, it becomes just a long procession of identical bikes. Go to a club or national level race now and all the classes look the same, sound the same..yawn. The only saving grace that WSB has are the personalities involved. No wonder trackside spectator figures are down on what they used to be. There are very few race classes around that have a genuine technical interest component built in these days (Supermono, Thunderbikes and BoTT are probably the last remaining), which is a real shame. People really don't want to sit and watch a procession of bikes identical to their own race around, they want to see 'proper race bikes' and fire breathing 220bhp exotica, and thankfully GP racing still delivers on all fronts | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
People really don't want to sit and watch a procession of bikes identical to their own race around, they want to see 'proper race bikes' and fire breathing 220bhp exotica, and thankfully GP racing still delivers on all fronts I couldn't disagree more... most people I know would much rather see how the bike they ride performs on the track as opposed to equipment that could be designed by NASA. Of course, we all enjoy watching prototype racing- be it Moto GP, F1, IMSA, etc... but it has no direct relationship to the real world. The enthusiasts I know consider production-based racing more "real" than the exotic/prototype stuff- where you can actually ride the "race" bike home from the track... talk about pride of ownership. Another difference I've noticed between enthusiasts is the importance of "personalities" in racing. For the 25 years that I've been following professional motorsport (sports cars and motorcycles), I have seen less focus on the riders/drivers and more on brand support. I, and many others, have a manufacturer that they support, regardless of who is behind the controls. When I got into endurance sports car racing in the early 80's, Porsche was king, and I have always been a fan- it didn't matter who was driving. I, and many others, feel the same about motorcycle racing. For example: I will always root for Buell, Triumph and Yamaha, but will never support Honda- no matter who rides for them. I like Nicky Hayden, but I never supported him while he was on a Honda, and the same goes for Rossi. I don't care for any of the current Honda riders, but if any of them switched to one of the brands I like- I'd support them. I guess it boils down to what people associate with. For some, the exotic/unobtainable allure of prototype racing it was does it, for others it's about feeling a connection to the bikes we actually own and seeing what "our" bike can do in the hands of professionals. If I had to choose one or the other, without hesitation I would rather watch no-name pros riding proddy bikes over big-name stars on one-off prototypes any day. It's the difference between reality and fantasy. | ||
| Blake |
SBK not a patch... Tell that to Biagi, Xaus, and the rest of the GP crowd now trying to win in WSBK. Seriously Matt, that kind of statement is truly f&$ed up. Don't take my word, ask Baylis. | ||
| Blake |
Checa... | ||
| Trojan |
Tell that to Biagi, Xaus, and the rest of the GP crowd now trying to win in WSBK. All the people who have come from MotoGP to Superbikes have done so not because it is a better series, but because they lost their rides in GP. Of course they will say that they prefer the Superbikes now, but if you offered any of them a competitive GP ride they would have their bags packed and be out of the door in a flash! GP racing is and always has been the pinnacle of motorcycle sport, except maybe in the USA, and other forms of the sport will always be the support act. If Superbike racing is so exciting, why are attendances falling instead of rising, especially at national level? Why is the AMA series still so poorly subscribed? The AMA Supersport series isn't really even viable at the moment because it has so few entries, and all the top riders are trying to get rides outside the AMA if they can get them. Without the personalities involved there would be far far less spectators and public interest than there is now, which in turn will turn sponsors away, so you need to have big names to make racing popular. Redbuelljunkie mentioned sports car racing, where the car is the star. Why do you think that sports car racing gets little or no TV coverage except for the classic events such as Le Mans? | ||
| Smoke |
how many different manufacturer's in WSB right now? both WSB and MotoGp seem to be having the most competitive series they have had in a while. i'm hoping the competition keeps going on and we have a barn burner finale in both series. tim |
