| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
Or Rossi is better than the other 99 percent maybe I should have said better than 99% of the rest of the human race, although I would probably find that it is closer to 100% in reality. Whichever way you view it, you cannot diminish his achievements in bike racing, his influence on the sport and most importantly his influence on people who would otherwise not follow bike racing at all. Like Barry Sheene, he has managed to cross over into celebrity 'real life' outside of racing, and that has to have been good for our sport. Now he is setting up the VR46/Sky Moto3 team and academy for next year he is starting to put something back as well, which is more than certain other ex-world champions have done in their retirement  When he does decide to retire he will leave a massive hole in MotoGP that will be very hard to fill. | ||
| Blake |
>>> There are lots of young riders who deserve a shot at MotoGP. Please explain. If you had stated that "there are lots of young riders who might be competitive if given a shot at MotoGP" I might agree. I don't get the preference for younger competitors, at all. | ||
| Trojan |
I don't get the preference for younger competitors, at all. Obviously I wouldn't be advocating riders based purely on age if they don't have talent to match. They do have to be shown as competitive first before they get a crack at MotoGP, that is a given. However, there are riders in MotoGP who are there just to make up the numbers, bring cash into the sport and give DORNA some credibilty in certain countries outside Europe. Alvaro Bautista, Randy De Puniet, Karel Abraham, Hiroshi Aoyama and Colin Edwards are just a few that spring to mind. Once you have had 4-5 seasons in MotoGP without any progression and no prospect of getting to the front then that should give teams a hint that maybe younger, fresher blood is required. Young riders are the future of the sport, and much as I admire Rossi even I know that he is not as fast as he once was and has only a limited competitive life in racing before he has to retire. The argument that you need years of experience to develop a bike is pretty much blown away when you look at what Marquez has done at Honda. They are now choosing to copy his chassis setting onto Pedrosa's bike to make him quicker rather than the other way around. Now that the modern GP bikes are so reliant on electronics and a different riding style, it could be that younger riders coming up through Moto2 are the best people to ride them to the limit rather than older riders who have learned to ride on earlier generation bikes. There are probably 15 or 20 youngsters that I would like to see given at least a test on a MotoGP bike to see how they would perform. maybe DORNA should have a test day like F1 has for young drivers once a year? Open it up to young riders who have won or impressed in national or international races alreadym, and give them a test in front of the factory teams. | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
Good race at Aragon, not without some drama! I think there will be some cable re-routing after today. | ||
| Svh |
Well the poorly kept secret of Herrin going to Moto2 finally got announced. Would be great if Aquino could join him. Though I am really surprised that Cam Beaubier didn't make the move as well. | ||
| Rodrob |
The argument that you need years of experience to develop a bike is pretty much blown away when you look at what Marquez has done at Honda. I beg to differ. Marquez won his first Enduro and Motocross championships in 1999 at the age of six. So that would be 14 years of racing experience. It's a different world in Europe. His age belies the depth of his experience. | ||
| Trojan |
Well the poorly kept secret of Herrin going to Moto2 finally got announced. Would be great if Aquino could join him. Though I am really surprised that Cam Beaubier didn't make the move as well. Very good news! Anyone know whcih team yet? Aquino and Beaubier could move too if they have serious money to take with them. It is unlikely that any teams will be hiring and paying for riders who haven't proved themselves in Moto2 already unfortunately. The slots that are available are pretty much all pay as you ride deals  Good race at Aragon with the exception of the argument over Pedrosas crash (for which Marquez now seems blamed as he broke a sensor wire on Dani's bike when they touched). Seems harsh as it is surely Hondas fault for not running a backup sensor like Ducati and yamaha do on the rear wheel. | ||
| Jaimec |
I don't think the "Sunshine and Rainbows" that were in the Repsol garage at the beginning of the season are there any more... Herrin should do well in Moto2, he's got the same kind of riding style as a lot of the riders who've moved on from that class. Hope he does well and opens the door for a few more young Americans. See, NOW I'll have a reason to watch Moto2 next season! | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
What's more annoying was Parish banging on, even through the later replays, saying they never touched. Think he should have gone to specsavers! Rossi's efforts true to form given he chose the wrong front. If that's what really slowed him then one has to wonder if he could have done better, but he'd have needed half a second a lap to have been around Lorenzo. It's still a Lorenzo Yamaha. They should put them all on factory Hondas then we'd know who's boss! Rocket in England | ||
| Trojan |
Herrin should do well in Moto2, I've been saying that for 2 years now, so I hope he does well now he has been given the chance! Looking at the top teams who have not announced both riders yet (and who are in a position to actually pay a rider to race for them!), it could be that Josh could replace Scott Redding at Marc VDS. They have re-signed Mika Kallio but I haven't seen anything to say they have filled Reddings place yet? It is going to be a strange argument over whether Marquez actually caused the crash. yes they touched, but is Marc to blame because Honda rely on just a single rear wheel sensor for their TC? Ducati and Yamaha have dual sensor systems apparently just for such an event. If they are going to punish riders for just touching under braking, or because they left braking too late then half the grid would be disqualified every week (especially in Moto2/Moto3) including Redding and Espagaro. Marquez actually tried to avoid Danui and ran off track himself, so cannot be blamed for the crash that Dani suffered 40 yars later due to a technical issue. Rossi had a good race once he got going, but he lost the gap to third by lap 2 and needs to get his head down from the start if he is to stand a chance of beating the Spanish Armada at the front (likewise for Cal, who again looked almost scared to risk an overtake). Bautista must have changed his breakfast cereal recently, or more likely the Honda is now so much better than the Yamaha as to allow him and Bradl to look better! | ||
| Simond |
I thought Esteve Rabat was replacing Scott at Mark VDS. Loyalties could certainly become confused in the last few Moto2 rounds if Rabat and Kallio are in the mix with Espargaro and Redding. However disappointed I was to see Pedrosa go down, I can't see how they can punish Marquez and retain any credibility. | ||
| Trojan |
I thought Esteve Rabat was replacing Scott at Mark VDS. Yes youre right, I'd forgotten that one. With both VDS slots gone and both Pons bikes taken there aren't many top rides left really (I think the Aspar bikes are already taken too). Maybe Herrin is in a new US based new team like Taylormade, with their new carbon monoqoque chassis? | ||
| Jaimec |
The rumor is that Mahindra picked up Herrin since they are flush with cash and needed a competitive rider. | ||
| Trojan |
Ahaa, I'd forgotten that Mahindra are coming into Moto2 next year, which is a good call. They are apparently going to badge up Suter bikes as Mahindras next year, with 2015 a target for their own chassis. Whether they will get the very latest spec Suter cahssis and aero package the same as Aspar gets is another matter, but given the money that Mahindra have thrown at Suter this year for its Moto3 project I would think they will get preferential treatment at least as good as Aspar gets (contracts allowing of course). The Suter chassis seems to be more inconsistent than the dominant Kalex though this year, other than the occasional flash of inspiration by Nico Terol, so it will be interesting to see if they can pull it back for next year and challenge Kalex consistently for more wins. I really would like to see someone sign up Gino Rea for a full season on a competitive bike. He showed again that he is worth signing with his performance this week. A top 20 result (16th) at Aragon on a seriously underfunded FTR with finance from just family, fans and friends has shown what he is capable of. His wild card rides are now finished until the final Jerez round as he can't afford the fly away rounds. Hopefully he has already done enough to get noticed by a decent team. | ||
| Svh |
Beaubier signed to take Herrins spot on the superbike opposite Josh Hayes so no Moto2 for him next year at least. Herrin has grown up a LOT in the last 2 years and I finally found myself rooting for him this year. Aquino seems to be doing well in BSB so maybe he is opening some eyes to him over on that side of the pond. | ||
| Trojan |
Aquino seems to be doing well in BSB Tommy has been doing well but in Superstock this year. Superstock doesn't get much coevrage in the UK, so he really needs to move up to the Superbike class to proper recognition. Hopefully someone in the BSB paddock will sign him up for next year, althoug again he may need to bring sponsor ship with him again. It loooks like Tyco Suzuki are very keen to retain PJ Jacobsen for next year too, so maybe the route for young ambitious US riders is to get on a plane and forget AMA Superbike altogether. Martin Cardenas and Jason Di Salvo have also raced over here before, and although I can't see Jason coming back Martin would be a good signing for someone in either BSB or WSB/WSS for next year. | ||
| Bads1 |
Im anxious to see Herrin in Moto 2 but I really think one more year in AMA Superbike to defend this title and see if hes really the real deal. Last year was a learning year and you could tell. This year early season you could see he wasn't serious and there for someone must of said you better get with it. Because he started training very hard and eating right if he was going to beat Hayes. I would of liked to see one more year but hey maybe he matured this year seen the light and wants to do business. His first championship under his belt other then when he was 14 in 125 USGP. | ||
| Jaimec |
Bads, the time was right NOW. At 23, he's the perfect age. Look at the ages of some of the other competitors in the World Championship. Time spent here is time NOT spent over there learning the tracks and the customs he'll need if he wants a shot at the title. Learning Spanish wouldn't hurt either... | ||
| Bads1 |
I realize that and I agree. But Hayes did a couple boo boo's and it cost him. Daytona engine failure. then another he crashed out. Then another he jumped the start but he still made up the time and won. Then he jumped again in Jersey.... I kinda thought he got robbed but hey nothing anyone can do about it. It was string of bad luck that cost Hayes but he was still real close at clinching it regardless if Herrin would make one mistake. Remember Herrin has been with Yamaha since 2005 and just one championship and he has raced all classes. I would of just liked to seen him beat Hayes race to race without Hayes having the mishaps that happened is all. | ||
| Bads1 |
As I thought the money isn't there to make it happen. Laguna is done. http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/fim-motogp-wor ld-championship-will-not-return-to-mazda-raceway-l aguna-seca-in-2014/ | ||
| Jaimec |
You beat me to the Laguna announcement, Bads. As for Herrin/Hayes, Max Biaggi said it best: "In order to finish first, first you must finish." I wouldn't take odds on Hayes reclaiming his title in 2014. He's going to be on a mission. | ||
| Bads1 |
Herrin has never had Hayes pace but a couple times. Cameron Beaubier is going to possibly have the same teething issues as Herrin then he'll be a Force. Riding a liter bike is not a 600. Its adjustment. | ||
| Xb1125r |
Marquez is just a kid, he wins and is not all concerned on the well being of Pedrosa. I have never been keen on Pedrosa, but Marquez did stupid move. Just to win he takes out another rider out. Lorenzo is such a classy guy, he let the young goof pass so he does not become the next victim. | ||
| Xb1125r |
You heard it here from me. Lorenzo is coming to Honda. He will take Danny's bike. | ||
| Trojan |
Herrin needed to move to Moto2 now even if he hadn't won the DMG Superbike title this year. In fact I'm only surprised it has taken this long to jump (likewise Beabier, who I thought would be in Moto3 at least next year). Domestic superbike racing is really not the place to develop as a GP rider and you need to get in the right paddock to attract sponsors and teams. Not surprised at the loss of Laguna as a race venue for GP. DORNA have hinted at this all year so it was a certainty that at least one US track would lose out. Indy really should have been the track dropped (certainly in terms of rider and fan enjoyment!), but obviously DORNA want the connection and influence that Indy gives the series in the US. You heard it here from me. Lorenzo is coming to Honda. He will take Danny's bike. Yeah right. All he has to do now is get out of his Yamaha contract which still has a year to run, then get Honda to sack Dani a year early because he also has a cast iron contract until the end of 2014. Don't hold your breath............... At the end of 2014 ALL top MotoGP riders are out of contract except Crutchlow, so we may see some dramatic musical chairs then, but don't expect any big moves before that time unless someone decides to retire early... but Marquez did stupid move. Actually that isn't really the case. Marquez did brake too late (although there is also a suggestion that Pedrosa braked early) but took avoiding action and ran off track. The contact between him and Pedrosa was absolutely minimal and certainly not enough to cause the crash. We've seen much heavier contact between riders on all classes this year without accident or subsequent punishment. What actually caused Pedrosa to crash crash was the breakage of the rear wheel speed sensor wire,which in turn immediately switched off the traction control and caused the crash as soon as Pedrosa hit the throttle exiting the corner. if we are to lay blame then HRC must get the lions share for not having a back up system or protecting such a vital component from damage. In this day and age when electronics control everything, it is almost inconceivable that the default setting in the event of sensor failure is to immedicately switch the TC off completely! Other manufacturers (Ducati and Yamaha) seem to have forseen such and event and fit back up sensors to the rear wheel for just such a scenario. HRC need to get both riders in a room and clear the air, but in the end they also need to engineer a better failsafe strategy for their bikes and riders. | ||
| Trojan |
Ok, it's official (kind of). This is a pucka unsubstantiated genuine rumour of course......but it appears that Josh herrin will be racing for the Caterham Moto2 team next year. This is a new big budget team being set up as a huge motorsporst effort by Tony Fernandes, who also runs and owns the Caterham F1 team. The team will use Suter equipment for 2014 with a view to developing their own chassis for 2015, and it appears Josh Herrin has a 2 year deal.... No idea who his team mate will be yet, but they have been chasing some big Moto2 & Moto3 already names apparently. You heard it here first folks  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
If the other bikes have additional sensor then this really is a Honda •••• up as there's no way Moto GP could be anything but a contact sport! Marquez is not to blame then. Had of course the contact caused Pedroas to lose contact and it not being a sensor, then it would be a diferent story. Just a shame the title is pretty much wound up now. To look forward to though, can Rossi catch Pedrosa for 3rd in championship, if for no othger reason it shuts up the 1125 type fans Rocket in England | ||
| Trojan |
can Rossi catch Pedrosa for 3rd in championship. Potentially yes. there are only 34 points between them so if Pedrosa has another nightmare then Rossi could overhaul him. However it would take another non finish by Pedrosa to achieve I think. if they both finish in the top 5 as usual then the points difference won't be enough even if Rossi finishes 2 or 3 places ahead of Dani in all remaining races. Doubtful.... but stranger things have happened | ||
| Xb1125r |
Rossi could not cath my granma. Bautista put the scare on Rossi with a lesser bike. I expect Crotchlow not to finish higher then 5 this season. he already ahs a corntract and has no reason to injure himself for next season. | ||
| Xb1125r |
Trojan the kid did not have the clearance to pass. his impatience caused him to clip pedrosas bike and therefore causing the damage to his bike that caused the crash. too bad Danny is a small guy or he could have kicked his ass after the race. I guess Pedrosa could clip the kid with 4 races to go and drop him in points and Lorenzo could take the champrionship. I would respect Danny for that. |
