| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Curiouser and curiouser. http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/trackside-t uesday-ben-spies-yamaha-discontent/ | ||
| Trojan |
Nobody quits a factory seat either unless they are getting a factory seat in GP. Not entirely true. Stoner is retiring completely, and he won't be the first to turn his back on a factory ride and leave a series completely. The background to Spies announcement seems very complicated, but obviously timed to cause maximum embarrassment to Yamaha for some reason. I think it is more likely that Ben will leave MotoGP completely than try to get a ride in another team, simply because there are no top places left for him to go to in GP racing. WSB is a possibility with BMW, but he may just take a year out altogether from racing. AMA is the most unlikely event and I can't see why he would want to return to a competition he has already dominated once before (unless he is really insecure and just needs wins of whatever description!). Seeing as Ben was funded and promoted by Yamaha USA to get both his WSB and GP rides, his announcements seem a bit churlish, but we don't know the full story yet. His performance this year has not been good enough to keep his factory ride over Dovi, but I would have thought he would be advised well enough to wait until an announcement was made by his employer. He has now definitely burned his bridges with Yamaha for GP, WSB, AMA and pretty much every other championship ! As to who replaces him? Current rumour would seem to suggest Rossi will go back to Yamaha after all, but that isn't a done deal by any means. Of the current Yamaha riders Dovu surely deserves the ride in the factory team on results, but probably not as far as the sponsors or promoters are concerned. Through no fault of his own Dovi seems tobe the invisible man of the gP paddock, so Crutchlow could appeal to sponsors more. I think we will see a lot more announcements between Laguna and Indy and the rider situation for next year will undoubtedly be settled very early this season. | ||
| Jaimec |
He did say that there were some people at Yamaha he'd miss. He may like the USA people, but just HAD it with the MotoGP people. Which is odd, because nearly everybody else who raced for Yamaha REALLY liked them over the other teams they'd raced for in the past. I don't know if we'll EVER know the whole story. He is apparently good friends with Stoner, and maybe Stoner's disgust with MotoGP has rubbed off on him too. | ||
| Trojan |
I think amaha are a friendly and relaxed team so long as you are putting the results in that they expect. Prior to 2004 they were very different and were not a happy bunch of campers at all. Success does tend to breed a relaxed and happy crew  I remember at the second race of this year that one of the Eurosport commentators said something to the effect that the atmosphere in the Yamaha garage had changed subtly this year regarding Ben Spies. Lin Jarvis made no secret of the fact he thought Ben had underperformed last year and that they expected AT LEAST 3 wins from him this season, so the pressure must surely have been building all season given Bens poor run of luck this year, and maybe Ben just cracked before Yamaha did? Either way, I think he was ill advised to make the statement when and how he did, and it could come back to bite him in the future unless he plans to get out of the sport completely. The Japanese factories are not quick to forgive and forget people who venture to speak outside the team structure. Yamaha have only just forgiven Phil Read for his alleged indiscretion back in the 1960's!  (Message edited by trojan on July 25, 2012) | ||
| Bads1 |
Not entirely true. Spies is not Stoner by any means. He hasn't accomplished really anything in GP yet. Stoner.... Rossi can behave that way and have and do get away with it. People like Crutchlow.Bautista and the like won't. | ||
| Simond |
Crutchlow was foolish to publicise his discussions with Ducati. I think he's done enough to stay in MotoGP but Dovi has done more to earn that factory ride. I'd still love to see Rossi back on the Yamaha though. (Message edited by SimonD on July 25, 2012) | ||
| Bads1 |
Would this be fun just once.lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWqC_AfPNc | ||
| Bads1 |
http://www.sportlive.co.za/motorsport/2012/07/25/l orenzo-open-to-rossi-partnership | ||
| Walt221 |
I don't always agree with Superbikeplanet.com but this is a good Cal Crutchlow interview. http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120725calinter view.htm I never disliked him, but also wasn't a big fan. After reading this - I like the guy. Cal, not Dean On another what-if note, why not Hayden to Yamaha. Could be a great fit. I still believe Hayden has it to win races, has good work ethic and generally very steady. And if I remember right, I think Yamaha was courting him along with Honda when he came to GP's. | ||
| Jaimec |
Nicky stays. Now what happens to Crutchlow if Rossi does too? | ||
| Jaimec |
Why would Ben want to leave? It looks like such a FUN place! | ||
| Trojan |
Now what happens to Crutchlow if Rossi does too? he gets shafted After being offered a contract Ducati have back pedalled furiously after Audi wanted a US rider to satisfy the US market for Ducati. You only have to read the press release from Ducati announcing Haydens signing to see that half of the release was about how many owners clubs there are in the US etc etc etc. Only a short mention of how Nicky is a nice bloke, hard working.............. I can't say I am bothered one way or another by whoever rides for Ducati, but it always gets me angry when a rider is offered a place, told a contract is in the mail, and then has it pulled from under him by the factory with no explanation or apology. The same happened to Dovi at Honda (although he took legal action over a contrct clause and hung nto his place for another season). I hope Crutchlow stays with Yamaha and Ducati continue to struggle like they have for the last few years. Their decision making process shows no sign of improving thats for sure! | ||
| Trojan |
Oh I forgot...there was a GP 'race' yesterday (I use the term losely). What a bore!! OK nobody was sure if Stoner or Lorenzo would win, but other than that they pretty much finished where they started (except those who fell off or benefitted a position from those who did). Either the TV coverage was truly awful or nobody overtook anyone all race long, (I suspect the latter) becuase we certainly didn't see much in the way of racing! Roll on next race please  At least we'll have Moto2 and Moto3 to keep us entertained | ||
| Jaimec |
Stoner overtook Pedrosa and then Lorenzo. Hayden overtook Bradl. Rossi crashed out, Ben's incredible luck continued with a swingarm failure that caused him to crash out. But you're right about one thing... I do prefer the world coverage over Speed's regular announcers. | ||
| Trojan |
Hayden overtook Bradl. Rossi crashed out, Ben's incredible luck continued with a swingarm failure that caused him to crash out. The BBC coverage managed to catch only the aftermath of all three of these events, although they did show replays later. However these were the only events worth mentioning in the entire race Ben must think there is somebody out to get him at yamaha now I wonder if we will get to see the hacksaw marks. He needed a performance much closer to Lorenzo this weekend, especially as the pressure was off him at last. Unfortunately even running in 4th he was miles away from the other factory boys (I don't include Ducati), and only a smidgen ahead of his nemesis Tech 3. Alas I think he won't win another GP ........ | ||
| Simond |
The Eurosport guys were saying that Spies' deal with BMW (Italy) is as good as done and that it is for two years - the first in WSB. This presumably allows for the possibility of a MotoGP ride in 2014....... if the rules are to BMW's liking. | ||
| Simond |
They also mentioned that the French press had said that Herve Poncharal was considering Randy de Puniet for next year. Whatever happens there is still a seat at Tech3 and a factory Ducati ride worth having. Possibly another close to factory seat at Marc VDS too. (Message edited by SimonD on July 30, 2012) | ||
| Jaimec |
I don't think Marco Melandri would be anywhere as NEAR as bad a team mate as Mat Mladin. Mat was constantly playing head games both on and off the track. Personally, I don't think Marco gives a flying "*" what goes on the other side of the garage; he's too wrapped up in his own thing to even notice he HAS a team mate. | ||
| Jaimec |
By the way, in his most recent interview, Rossi implies his issue wasn't so much with Lorenzo as it was with Yamaha. Lorenzo just personified the problem in his head. Rossi didn't think Yamaha needed another strong rider on the team, but Yamaha had to look towards the future and realize (even if Rossi didn't) that Valentino is NOT immortal, and there WILL come a time when he'll retire. Valentino was their present, but they needed to worry about their future. Now, if Rossi DOES switch back to Yamaha, he is fully cognizant of the fact that for the first time in his career, he'll be the "Number 2" rider in the garage. It all depends on whether his ego could stand that or not. | ||
| Bads1 |
he'll be the "Number 2" rider in the garage Still the highest paid.... still the largest fan base. I really don't think most will see it that way. Nor do you really think Rossi would feel that way??? I kinda doubt it. | ||
| Bads1 |
Heres my take. If he goes to Yamaha and wins... he proves he still got what it takes.If he loses on the Yamaha the writing is on the wall that age is catching up and hes starting to fade. If he stays with Ducati and some how makes the bike work in 2013 and wins.... he still the GOAT !!!! But if he loses on it. Is it the bike or Rossi that is the problem..... we'll not know. | ||
| Bads1 |
Looks like Ducati is atleast looking at at a rookie to come aboard. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Redding+tests+w ith+Ducati | ||
| Simond |
Most likely to be with a new Marc VDS satellite team. They also tested Andre Iannone who would be pretty exciting in MotoGP too. Bringing younger riders through a "second" team sounds like a much better proposition than spending a fortune on a succession of star names from other manufacturers. | ||
| Trojan |
Most likely to be with a new Marc VDS satellite team. Unlike other satellite teams it seems that the proposed new Ducati Junior team will ave full factory machines as well rather than customer spec bikes or 'semi factory' bikes like Tech 3 get from Yamaha. This should aid development and bring oung riders on faster, if it happens. I think a lot still depends on where Rossi decides to hang his hat next year before Ducati commit to this project. It also depends on just who is going to be the team picked to be the 'Junior' team. Both Marc VDS and Pramac are still in the frame and it could end up being both teams with one rider each. At least it will get 2 more factory bikes on the grid for next year, with a couple of exciting young riders on board too (Scott Redding and Andrea Iannone both tested this week at Misano for Ducati). | ||
| Bads1 |
Little Rossi News. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cf m?c_id=9&objectid=10824330 | ||
| Jaimec |
More Rossi news: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/valentino-r ossi-spotted-yamaha-europe-hq-motogp/ UPDATE: Turns out this story was a hoax. (Message edited by jaimec on August 04, 2012) | ||
| Bads1 |
Two more weeks till Indy. Can't wait,I'll be there. | ||
| 46champ |
Well it looks like Rossi got back in with the the good graces of Yamaha. I guess we will see what a pound of flesh looks like. | ||
| Jaimec |
According to MCN, Lorenzo was briefed on a possible Rossi return in Mugello. MCN also reiterates the rumor of Ben going back to WSBK as Melandri's team mate. | ||
| 46champ |
The BIG story is Rossi hasn't signed with Yamaha all the information was from a hacked twitter account. |
