| Author | Message | ||
     Bads1 |
I remember Hodgson saying something to the effect when he first came to the AMA. I know Rossi is 30 million. Matt Mladin is like 6 million if memory serves.I'd have to say Nicky is making good ching also. | ||
| Bads1 |
Jaimec, I understand what your saying but maybe look at little different. Take Monster per say. They sponsor in Nascar,NHRA,MOTO-X,roadracing car,bikes,etc,etc. Maybe they don't all fill the stands or all get great TV coverage but as a whole they are doing very well. Hell if Monster keep's going they may just take Redbull's market. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
It is hard for me to think that Hayden will leave motoGP, while riders like DePuniet, Nakano, Elias, Guintoli... will stay. It makes no sense. He might leave Repsol, but I am sure he will find another team. | ||
| Trojan |
I cannot think of a very good reason why AMA paychecks would be higher than those of WSBK or MotoGP. That makes no sense at all. You are absolutely right. There is no sense or any good reason why AMA racers should be paid more than WSB or MotoGP riders, but that is the current situation. I have no idea who picks up the tab for the AMA riders, but would guess that the manufacturers/US importers pay a large slice. I know that Hodgson is paid by Honda America and I presume that the same is true with the respective manufacturers for the rest of the top riders. The rest will come from team & personal sponsors plus maybe a 'retainer' or more from the team itself. Whilst I don't have the figures to hand, there was a list in Performance Bikes (I think) a while back showing who the top earners were in motorcycle road racing. Rossi topped the list by a long way, followed by Mladin & Spies. Bayliss/Hayden and the rest were behind them. If I can find the magazine I will put the list on here. There does seem to be a slightly different mindset between the top AMA riders and the MotoGP riders. MotoGP is seen as the absolute pinnacle by European racers, and most would accept less money if given the chance to ride a competitive bike in the MotoGP series. The top guys in AMA seem to be much more motivated by money than absolute ambition. I am not saying that teh AMA riders are not competitive or ambitious in their own way, but that they would rather stay in a well paid domestic series than risk their reputation and pay check by riding in MotoGP for less money. Remember, Mat Mladin rode in the old 500 GP championship and made no impression at all, so he is obviously wary of having another go at it and prefers to be the big fish in the small(er) pond. | ||
| Trojan |
FP1 times from Donnington Park: 1. Casey STONER Ducati Marlboro 1'28.979 2. Alex DE ANGELIS San Carlo Honda + 0.548 3. Colin EDWARDS Tech 3 Yamaha + 0.682 4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO JiR Team Scot+ 0.739 5. Nicky HAYDEN Repsol Honda Team + 0.744 6. Chris VERMEULEN Rizla Suzuki + 0.808 7. James TOSELAND Tech 3 Yamaha + 0.899 8. Valentino ROSSI Fiat Yamaha + 0.938 9. Shinya NAKANO San Carlo Honda + 1.165 10. Randy DE PUNIET LCR Honda + 1.241 11. John HOPKINS Kawasaki + 1.303 12. Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team + 1.330 13. Anthony WEST Kawasaki + 1.473 14. Jorge LORENZO Fiat Yamaha Team + 1.711 15. Marco MELANDRI Ducati Marlboro + 1.927 16. Toni ELIAS Alice Team + 2.124 17. Sylvain GUINTOLI Alice Team + 2.599 18. Ben SPIES Rizla Suzuki + 2.828 Hayden looks to have improved, although is still behind two 'privateer' Hondas. Maybe he should have stuck with last year's bike after all  FP1 times are always pretty misleading, as some riders such as Rossi use this time to work on race pace rather than setting a good time. I think that when the serious business starts on Saturday we'll see the usual suspects at the front. I certainly don't expect to see Pedrosa & Lorenzo languishing at the back end of the pack for too long. Spies did well to finish just 2.8 seconds away from Stoner's fastest lap on his first visit to Donington, although discounting the appalling Ducati brigade at the back he is still nearly 2 seconds off the pace of the midfield runners. It will be interesting to see how he improves over the course of the weekend. | ||
| Jaimec |
The important thing is that Hayden is ahead of that Spanish midget who's supposed to be his team mate... you remember, the one who almost torpedoed his chance at the World Championship two years ago? Considering that Toseland could probably run this track with his eyes closed I'm surprised he's not higher in the rankings. Let's see how this all plays out (and yes, I never expect to see Rossi at the front during the first couple of practices unless it's Mugello). (Message edited by jaimec on June 20, 2008) | ||
| Clarkjw |
Some team will def give Hayden a chance after the 2006 fiasco and his decent 2008 results on a bike built for someone else. (Message edited by clarkjw on June 20, 2008) | ||
| Trojan |
Considering that Toseland could probably run this track with his eyes closed I'm surprised he's not higher in the rankings. Toseland may be British, but he has'nt raced at Donington Park that much because he has been in WSB/WSS for years. He would be lucky to go there once a year, but as he says 'At least I know which way to turn when I leave the garage!'. Riding there on a completely different machine will still be a learning process, but I would expect a good showing from him in the race (unless the excitement of the home race goes to his head and he bins it on teh first lap!). FP2 times are quicker for pretty much everyone: Donington Park MotoGP free practice two results: 1. Casey STONER Ducati Marlboro 1'28.253 2. Nicky HAYDEN Repsol Honda + 0.576 3. Valentino ROSSI Fiat Yamaha + 0.656 4. Colin EDWARDS Tech 3 Yamaha + 0.716 5. Alex DE ANGELIS San Carlo Honda + 0.739 6. Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda Team + 0.954 7. Shinya NAKANO San Carlo Honda + 0.954 8. James TOSELAND Tech 3 Yamaha + 1.088 9. Chris VERMEULEN Rizla Suzuki + 1.157 10. Randy DE PUNIET LCR Honda + 1.180 11. John HOPKINS Kawasaki Racing + 1.188 12. Anthony WEST Kawasaki Racing + 1.413 13. Andrea DOVIZIOSO JiR Team Scot + 1.469 14. Marco MELANDRI Ducati Marlboro + 1.603 15. Toni ELIAS Alice Team + 2.015 16. Jorge LORENZO Fiat Yamaha Team + 2.037 17. Ben SPIES Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 2.513 18. Sylvain GUINTOLI Alice Team + 2.678 Lorenzo is still suspiciously slow, although the rest of the cream seem to be rising to the top again | ||
| Jaimec |
And it looks like Hayden was right about the pneumatic valve engine. Think it'll be long before Pedrosa is DEMANDING that he can use it too? | ||
| Benm2 |
What Spies MIGHT be thinking... "Holee Shpit.... these guys are FAST!" | ||
| Trojan |
And it looks like Hayden was right about the pneumatic valve engine. Think it'll be long before Pedrosa is DEMANDING that he can use it too? Hayden is actually quoted as saying that the new engine is not really any faster than the cuurent 'spring valve' motor. What he prefers is the handling of the new chassis and that is where his extra speed is coming from. However, he has shown speed in practice and qualifying at other races this season, only to make a concerted dash for the back of the field as soon as the lights go out on race day. I would like to see him do well, but given his current form and the new engine's apparent unreliability I somehow doubt it will happen. Using the new bike now is more an act of desperation than anything else. | ||
| Jaimec |
Quote of the year from Nicky Hayden: "I don't need something easier, I need something faster." http://tinyurl.com/5n6622 | ||
| Jaimec |
An all Bridgestone front row with Stoner, Rossi and VERMEULEN but get this: BEN SPIES QUALIFIES EIGHTH AHEAD OF DANI PEDROSA!! Lorenzo is obviously still having "confidence issues" qualifying 17th ahead of only Tony Elias. This is going to be an interesting race! http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2008/G BR/MotoGP/QP | ||
| Elvis |
Wow! On an unfamiliar bike on an unfamiliar track against the best riders in the world. Amazing! I have a feeling Spies won't be racing in the AMA next year. Which reminds me of something that's been on my mind: With the 1125R eligible for Superbike and Literbike next year, are there any Spies/Mladin/Zemke/Hayes type riders available if Buell really wants to make a push in the AMA next year? Are riders like Higbee and Crevier good enough (young enough?) to go up against the best of the AMA next year? Anyone have any idea what kind of contract Brett McCormick is under? I know he has some connection with Ruthless Racing, and I'd love to see someone like him racing a Buell in the AMA next year. He may not be able to compete at that level right out of the box, but he's young and definitely has talent (but he seems to be racing - Kawasaki? - this year). | ||
| Jaimec |
Spies isn't used to seeing so many riders in front of him. If there's anyone, it's usually just a single Aussie. Should be a fun race tomorrow. I've got the DVR set "just in case." | ||
| Skinstains |
Does anyone else think Mladen is a big sissy for staying in such a small tank for all these years ? Shouldn't a "racer" want to race the very best and beat them ? | ||
| Benm2 |
Wet qualifying brings out some wierdness. Remember the rain bringing forward DePuniet or KR JR? Good for Spies to have done so well, but I'd have been more impressed if qualifying was dry. I think Pedrosa is suffering from his Friday crash. The Donington Park forecast for tomorrow is cloudy skies. If no rain, then I'd put more stock in Friday's dry times. I think Spies will do better than 17th, but he's got a one-shot do-or-die ride. He should be "on" in a big way tomorrow. | ||
| 46champ |
Spies doesn't have a one and your out this is the first of three. | ||
| Smoke |
first of 4 for spies. donnington, laguna, assen and indy was what i had read previously. these runs will be a good indicator for ben on his future plans. i'm rooting for him to have a good finish later today. tim | ||
| Jaimec |
Assen is still a "Maybe." It all depends on how quickly Loris can recover. | ||
| Trojan |
Well the whole British GP had a kind of inevitability about it this year. It is the middle of summer, so of course we knew that it would poor with rain, have4 65mph cross winds and a track temperature of just 13 degrees C. Stoner blitzed absolutely every practice session, then qualifying and then just disapeared into an unassailable lead from the lights. Toseland tried too hard and it was just plain cringeworthy to see it. 2 crashes on the same lap in qualifying came after they had spent too long in the garage chasing a setup instead of stringing some laps together and getting a feel for the bike and the circuit. The UK press were making such a fuss about him, quoting him as saying he would get a podium and putting enormous pressure on his shoulders. Then he lines up on the grid wearing his patriotic St Georges flag leathers, so again we just knew what would unfold. Sure enough, starting from the back row, Toseland threw it away at the first corner of the first lap. Oh well. Spies rode extremely well in his first race, keeping out of trouble and learning from every lap. He may not have finished that high up, but he did enough to show he has what it takes for MotoGP and I'm sure he will be snapped up by one of the factory teams (probably Suzuki) for next year. It seems even the new engine and chassis still isn't enough to make Nicky Hayden competitive again, and after a brief flash of form in qualifying and the early laps, faded away to finish well down at the end of the race. Being beaten by your team mate is bad enough, but by a 'privateer' on last year's Honda must surely hurt. Especially when that privateer is likely to get his job at Repsol next year. Best moment of the weekend had to be seeing 15 year old Scott Redding win the 125 race by a massive 5.5 seconds to become the youngest ever GP winner and the first Brit to win a 125GP in 35 years! Definitely a star in the making and sure to catch the eye of some bigger teams soon. These are the guys (Redding, Bradley Smith & Danny Webb) that need the support and career structure, and are the future of British road racing at world level. | ||
| Jaimec |
Hopkins must be SPITTING at Kawasaki about now, too... | ||
| Ceejay |
I got excited seeing nicky pass divisio(sp) then to see it not hold-looks like a confidence issue, either in the equipment or himself I can't tell, as it seemed once he lost that position he then started skating backwards... watching pedro and rossi have at it a bit was good stuff. IMO pedrosa has an odd looking riding style although it seems to work very well for him. | ||
| Jaimec |
According to Nicky after the race, a sensor indicator light came on. Since this was a brand new engine for him, he backed off but when the bike didn't blow up he picked up the pace again, but by then it was too late. No idea what the light was trying to tell him, but I know Honda will be diagnosing it full time before this weekend. | ||
| Benm2 |
I think the warning light said something to the effect of: "you know, I just might lock up & spit you off in that fast 130mph corner" or something to that effect. How about Melandri? Beaten by another backmarker who crashed & remounted? Geez, if you think Hayden has fallen away from the podium... I'm really curious to see how Spies does when he gets back to the AMA. Will a few laps in the big leagues have him dropping Mladin like a bad habit? | ||
| Jaimec |
Speaking of Melandri... I just saw this posting at MCN and found it a bit disturbing (of course, it's only rumor and hearsay): http://tinyurl.com/5zew9u No wonder Vale liked Edwards so much, though. The guy does come across as being very easy to get along with. | ||
| Blake |
Matt, Only two of the top five earners you listed are AMA racers and they are both on the top factory Suzuki team. I'm still very skeptical of your assertion that in general AMA racers earn more than WSBK or MotoGP riders. It makes no sense whatsoever. What AMA racer has ever turned down a competitive MotoGP ride? No credit to Hayden for finishing top ten the first time out on a completely new racing machine? My take is that he was set to finish 4th if not for the warning light issue. Nick is not one to make up excuses. From everything I've ever seen, he's a very honest man. | ||
| Blake |
The next Agostini/Doohan/Valentino? http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/EBriton+got+tal ent+Scott+Redding+talks+through+history+making+Don ington+victory | ||
| Benm2 |
I wonder what its like to operate at that level: I'm sure on a regular basis that factory riders are told what they can or can't say to the press regarding issues. While the rider might know that, for example, this is the fourth time in a row that the #3 crank bearing let go, the press will be told the bike had "an electronics problem, forcing an early retirement"... | ||
| Jaimec |
Maybe that's why Biaggi is no longer in MotoGP? Can you imagine telling HIM to keep his mouth shut to the press? Actually, Edwards is another one known to speak his mind though Yamaha doesn't give him much reason to complain. Hopkins has certainly not made it any secret how unhappy he's been with Kawasaki. Nicky is a different story, though. If he doesn't have anything good to say you can pretty much count on him to just stay quiet. I can't imagine he's happy with his situation with Repsol right now, but he really hasn't said much one way or the other. |
