| Author | Message | ||
     Pwnzor |
Yeah, Jamie, I get it. The riders don't make the rules, they follow them. That rule only came into play in 2008, and with the advent of the CRT rule it benefits everybody to get rid of it. I'll reiterate. Everybody is following the rules. If one team does not take advantage of them, it's hardly another team's fault. | ||
| Trojan |
Honda has had their way in MotoGP for far too long. First, when Ben Spies was tearing up World Superbike for Yamaha they were instrumental in getting "The Rookie Rule" in place, which meant a rookie could NOT start on a factory team. Actually that is not true, and is a myth that had grown up over the years. The peopel responsible for the 'rookie rule' were NOT Honda or the other factory teams. In fact they were very much against the rule, as they stood to gain most from recruiting fast rookies directly into factory teams, as they had done for years before hand (Pesdrosa,Lorenzo,Rossi,Doohan,Schwantz,Lawson,Rob erts,Sheene etc etc etc). The people responsbile for the implementation of the Rookie rule were the smaller 'privateer' teams, led by Herve Poncheral, who ended up getting second rate riders and no TV coverage because the factory teams got the pick of the riders. DORNA agrred and implemented the rule at a time that just happened to coincied with Spies arrival in MotoGP. Having said that, SPies enjoyed far more support from Yamah than any other Tech 3 rider before or since, and was immediately drafted into the factory team at the first opportunity, so really has nothing to complain about. Current riders have far less chance of getting a factory ride regardless of talent or promise, as the best 4 bikes are locked up until 2016 at the earliest. Anything less than a full factory ride these days is a guarantee of not winning (despite noises being made about how competitive the Forward bike is/isn't it has still to win a race)  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
And I didn't criticize your words, I disagreed with you. There is a difference. You're so sensitive. Actually, I believe you've changed how you talk with me since our discussions in the Ukraine topic. I would like you to leave that subject in that topic and enjoy this one anyway we like as BadWeB friends and sparring partners in the good way we always have. Rocket in England | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Then perhaps they should change their machines and restructure their teams. The RULES are the same for everybody within their class, are they not? So let them follow the rules and field a worthy combination of man and machine. But is often the case, one bike dominates for too many seasons, and if that bike happens to have one of the best riders on it, the championship is less likely to showcase the talent of any other possible champion. I mean, we all know any of the aliens can be a world champion. They all have been except Pedrosa, and we all know Pedrosa is a worthy champion never to have been one. This being my point. So why not level the field as in Moto 3 and Moto 2 where it's never really a foregone conclusion who will win any race. Rocket in England | ||
| Trojan |
So why not level the field as in Moto 3 and Moto 2 where it's never really a foregone conclusion who will win any race. Why not follow F1 and have factory engines but not necessarily factory teams? Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki are all big enough to ebable to lease/sell factory spec engines to all the teams on the grid, so if they all supplied 4 teams (plus their usual factory squads) with engines we'd see much more variety of chassis and more parity in performance. You would still have the top tier of teams of course, but you could also get the prospect great innovotive chassis designer working for a smaller team making a big difference. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Sorry Rocket, I just have a sour taste in my mouth from Jamie constantly pissing in my Cheerios. | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
You said that before Matt, and the more I think about it, it's a really good idea. Pw, Skip Cheerios. Put a wee tot of JD in porridge. Tastes amazing! Rocket in England | ||
| Bads1 |
Looks like Aprillia is back in the game next year instead of 2016. Bautista and Laverty as riders. | ||
| Trojan |
Looks like Leon Camier is getting his chance in MotoGP at last, standing in for Nicky Hayden at Indy and Brno (at least). Leon must be the most talented stand in rider in history, just plagued by bad luck and shafted by a couple of teams (Aprilia ,Suzuki & Ioda). I really hope he can make something of this and get a decent full time ride next year. | ||
| Jscott |
Camier and Eslick EBR 2015 | ||
| Trojan |
Now that I would love to see, although I think Leon and Danny would need some convincing that the bike will be improved for 2015. | ||
| Jaimec |
Two weeks to Indianapolis. Considering how Marquez has simply dominated at that track in Moto2, and last year in MotoGP, I'm not expecting anything other than his 10th consecutive win. I'll just root for Shelina Moreda in the XR1200 and eBike races and forget about MotoGP altogether. Maybe she needs an over-aged umbrella boy in her pit?  (Message edited by jaimec on July 27, 2014) | ||
| Jaimec |
My tickets arrived yesterday! The "Motel 6" we always stayed at in Speedway apparently closed so we'll be at the "Sleep Inn" by the airport instead. Heading out a week from tomorrow and we'll be in Indy Thursday evening. Can't wait! My friend finished restoring a Honda Silverwing scooter earlier this year so the two of us are traveling to Indy by Maxi-scooter. This should be fun. His previous ride was an old Harley Low-Rider Sport; this will actually be his first time making that trip with something that has a windshield. He's confessed since he's been riding the Silverwing he's gotten spoiled. Also no need to bungee his stuff to the back seat and luggage rack... everything fits neatly under the seat where it can be locked and hidden from prying eyes. Does anyone know if EBR will have a presence there? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Not heading over to Indy, but I'm within a couple hours. Contact info in the BRAN if anything goes really wrong, especially if you are on the Ohio side of Indy. Or just PM me here, I stay on email most of the time. Have fun! | ||
| Jaimec |
Heard a rumor that Colin Edwards may be calling it quits after Indianapolis, rather than finishing out the season (reported in Superbike Planet). Has anyone else heard this? Hope it's not true but I guess he's probably grown tired of bringing up the back of the field... | ||
| Trojan |
I read that soemwhere. They were blaming a 'bad back' although it also said he had been pictured throwing baseballs around and riding dirt track, so that could be an excuse from the team PR people. if he was injured he wouldn't be racing at all would he? There have been rumours all year that CE wouldn't finish the season, although he always denied it and said he was looking forward to the new chassis. Since getting the new chassis though his performance hasn't improved, so maybe he has just lost interest now. There are lots of talented people clamouring for MotoGP rides right now so they won't find it too hard to replace him. | ||
| Jaimec |
Seems like it was JUST that: rumors: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2014/Jul/140730-5.h tm | ||
| Trojan |
curiouser and curiouser said alice..... http://www.bikesportnews.com/news-detail.cfm?newst itle=Crutchlow-considering-late-switch-to-LCR-Hond a-for-MotoGP-2015&newsid=12553 The silly season is getting more silly by the day  On the Edwards situation..it now seems that both rumours were partly true. He is only going to ride in 'selected' rounds for the rest of this year, so no fly aways and no Brno at least. His place has been taken for next year by Stefan Bradl. | ||
| Jaimec |
Wait, I thought Crutchlow CONFIRMED he was staying with Ducati?? Just saw a story that KTM will be entering the circus in 2017. Why? Their superbikes haven't exactly set the world on fire...? | ||
| Trojan |
This is MotoGP, so when someone confirms something you KNOW it will change soon! KTM started to develop a bike a few years ago then pulled out pretty quickly when it was obviously uncompetitive. Didn't they sign Shane Byrne to race it for them then leave him high and dry? maybe they think that the new rules/tyres will suit them better. It would certainly be nice to see them and Aprillia back in though. | ||
| Jaimec |
So where's Kawasaki?? They've proved their point in WSBK... don't they want to get back into the "big leagues" again? | ||
| Crusty |
I thought WSBK WAS the "big leagues"? | ||
| Jaimec |
For "Production Based Bikes," sure. But for pure factory prototypes and state of the art engineering, it's MotoGP (at least until Dorna completely "dumbs" it down). | ||
| Jaimec |
So it appears its true... Cal has given up on his dream of riding for a factory team and instead will ride a satellite bike for the "Evil Empire." With luck both Andreas will be cleaning his clock next season. | ||
| Trojan |
With luck both Andreas will be cleaning his clock next season. I doubt it. I t would be nice to see Ducati roll out a decent bike at laast, but I think it will take a season or two to perfect it. In the meantime I expect Cal to be back to podium contention on the Honda (or else). | ||
| Smoke |
Will be at Indianapolis with the XR later this week. we should have a good turnout! see you there! tim | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Just a week after his massive spread in MCN, I too was surprised of Crutchlow's announcement to move after stating he had no desire to be on a non factory bike he couldn't win on, having already done that with Tech. I imagine he must think he's got a winning ride but how he imagines he's going to beat Marquez (or Pedrosa) is beyond me. I suspect he believes this is a slightly more illustrious way to play in the Moto GP arena coz he's never gonna win on a Ducati or a satellite Honda, let's face it. Rocket in England | ||
| Trojan |
I would think that after a year spent wrestling the pile of poo that Ducati have given him (when parts aren't falling off it) Crutchlow feels that anything would be an improvement. Bradley Smith said recently that following Cal on the Ducati was scary because he was having to save the bike on his knee at every corner! He certainly didn't lose ability overnight (as we have seen with other Ducati riders such as Rossi, Melandri etc) so will be competitive on the Honda. I would also suspect that he thinks the new GP15 won't be competitive straight away and wants to be racing nearer the front on what is probably as close to a factory bike as anyone other than the Fab 4 are going to get a look at before 2017. There have been stories around for months about friction between Crutchlow and Ducati, and we all know that they don't respond well to criticism of any kind in that garage, so it is probably the best move he could make. With LCR getting a new cash rich sponsor for next year it could be the best ride outside of the Repsol and Factory Yamaha garages. He may not win on the LCR Honda but I predict he will get a few podiums and will certainly be closer to the front than he has been this year. It will be interesting to see if LCR sign Jack Miller to ride the customer bike alongside Cal | ||
| Jaimec |
We ARE talking about the same Cal Crutchlow who famously said he could ride the Ducati because his riding style was similar to Stoner's, right? | ||
| Trojan |
We ARE talking about the same Cal Crutchlow who famously said he could ride the Ducati because his riding style was similar to Stoner's, right? Every top level racer thinks they can ride anything, and the Ducati has proved that they can't. Melandri, Rossi, Hayden, Dovi, Kallio, Hodgson AND Stoner have all struggled on it and only Stoner has got close to winning on it. The pattern at Ducati seems to be to have a nightmare first year followed by a reasonable second year followed by a jump to another factory. Maybe Cal has just decided to skip the second portion of disapointment and start performing better again. |
