| Author | Message | ||
     Fireflyer |
I know it's not Buell news, but there may be some Duhamel fans here, like me. I just read on another site that Miguel will be racing a Honda for an injured rider at the Laguna Seca MotoGP race. I won't get into his history here, there's too much to list. But this guy has the heart of a lion and is a hero to many fans of AMA roadracing. Good luck to him!  | ||
| Bdabuell |
...could be the Gresini Honda since Tony Elias is out for the rest of the season | ||
| Fireflyer |
Yes, that's the one. I don't expect him to beat the top guys, but you never know... | ||
| Tdiddy |
I've been dreaming of this!!! Is this for the rest of the season? I bet he gets a top 10 finish. I wonder where he's testing the bike. | ||
| 4cammer |
Well, I heard he is bringing his VR1000 out of mothballs, destroking it and running that. Just what I heard. | ||
| Bads1 |
Well that will be something to watch. My wife and I are fan's of Duhamel. And we'll be at Laguna this year to watch it.... can't wait. | ||
| Trojan |
...could be the Gresini Honda since Tony Elias is out for the rest of the season Talk over here is that Neil Hodgson has been offered the same ride for the next few races (including Laguna), so the rumour mill appears to be in full swing! Hodgson would actually make more sense than DuHamel in a lot of ways. He has MotoGP experience (and recently helped in the development of the Ducati 800 bike), has ridden the Honda GP bike recently apparently, knows all the circuits and has recent experience of Laguna too. Much as I admire DuHamel I would rather see Neil back on a top ride for the rest of the season  | ||
| Bads1 |
Neil won't happen. http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=29506 | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Miguel will get his @ss handed to him on a platter. I don't care how much time he's had on that track. AMA Superbike is no where near MotoGP. I wouldn't be surprised if he got lapped by most of the field. Sorry. But that's my opinion. | ||
| Trojan |
It's a shame, because I think Neil would been a better prospect than Miguel for the rest of the season. For all of DuHamel's experience, he has never ridden or raced the RC212V or any other modern GP bike, and will take longer than just one weekend to adapt to the new riding style i'm sure. If he rides in the MotoGP and AMA races he will have to change styles for both bikes, and that won't be easy even for a seasoned (read old) campaigner like him. If it is imperitive to have a north American rider on the bike then I would have preferred to have seen a 'young gun' like Josh Hayes or Jake Zemke given the opportunity rather than a guy who is not going to progress into GP's and is likely to retire soon anyway. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I like Duhamel too, but there are some excellent young riders that have the potential to ride at the GP level. A wasted opportunity IMO. | ||
| Fireflyer |
I agree, he might not be the best pick to run at, or even near the front. There are faster, younger guns out there. He, like me, has been 35 for a few years now (ha-ha). But I think he can get around Laguna pretty well. I'm not sure how well known he is outside of North America. But I imagine he would get some positive press for the team and Honda. I think he's a good choice for a one off ride here in the states. Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Trojan |
If he has been 35 for a few years it makes me feel really old....I remember marvelling at his father wrestling the Kawasaki 2 strokes back in the early 70's! Watching him fight that thing around Brands Hatch was amazing!  | ||
| Bads1 |
Rocco say's he'll be spanked??? Rocco he really doesn't get spanked in Superbike now and never really has. He has more win's then anyone in AMA. He I'll bet will place in the top 8. Neil came here and is a great rider but got spanked most of the time by the likes of Duhamel. I think he'll do fine. Honda likes to win and at all cost it seem's. Duhamel sure has had a long career with Honda. Zemke won't even be with Honda this next year. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
YES Dana. Spanked. AMA Superbike and MotoGP are 2 different animals. Just because he's good in the AMA doesn't mean he'll be good at MotoGP. If he was, he'd be there right now, or would have ridden more than one season at the GP level. It's like saying an Indy Car or NASCAR driver could go and do a one off race in a F-1 car and finish in the top 8. No way in hell. He's a great rider........in the AMA. Look how long Hayden, Edwards and Hopkins have been there and the problems they've had. It all has to do with trying to get more American racers to draw more viewers. NOT people to go to the race, but rather people to watch on TV. Everyone going knows the racing is second to none. But in America, where roundy-round racing rules, the interest isn't there. That is if it even pans out. I wish him all the luck in the world. He'll need it. | ||
| Bads1 |
Rocco say....YES Dana. Spanked. AMA Superbike and MotoGP are 2 different animals. Just because he's good in the AMA doesn't mean he'll be good at MotoGP. If he was, he'd be there right now, or would have ridden more than one season at the GP level. Then whats Maladins excuse for being in AMA and never went to GP ?? Rocco I know they are different animals but he still has more talent then some of the riders in GP. He'll be on a good bike and a track that he has more time on then any of the GP riders. Hopkins point blank has been on a crap bike since day one. Now he is starting to shine. Edwards is no better rider then Duhamel on any day. Nicky??? well do ya think he'll be with Honda next year?? I never said Duhamel would win.... I said he'd finish top 8 if he ride that bike. No need to argue. I hope he does get that chance to ride it. } | ||
| Bdabuell |
I like Duhamel too, but there are some excellent young riders that have the potential to ride at the GP level. A wasted opportunity IMO. +1 | ||
| Jscott |
I predict a top ten for DuHamel. | ||
| Bads1 |
Alex Barros is no seasoned chicken either at the age of 37. He's two years younger then Duhamel. (Message edited by BADS1 on July 05, 2007) | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Not picking a fight Dana. Just my opinion. Alex Barros has spent MOST of his racing career at the GP level. Miguel has not. Not to say AMA riders are not talented. They are. But you prove my point. I totally agree about Miladin. Top of the AMA and not one GP team has asked him to run their bike. I can't see him even in the top 10. Not riding the best bike on the track and I don't think he has what it takes to hang with the top riders. Even if he's 1&1/2 seconds slower, he'll get dusted. | ||
| Daves |
I wouldn't count Miguel out of any race he's in. | ||
| Bdabuell |
I wouldn't count Miguel out of any race he's in. neither would I...I'm just surprised that Honda wouldn't lobby for someone who is on their way to a MotoGP future - like Toseland (tho I think there is a World Superbike race that weekend), or someone similar | ||
| Rzirkle |
Roger Lee Hayden will be on a third Kawasaki GP entry at Laguna as well http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~150176.htm should make for an exciting weekend at Laguna | ||
| Eboos |
Gresini Honda Confirms Fabrizio And Duhamel As Fill-in Riders For Injured Elias http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=29526 | ||
| Rick_a |
I have the most respect for Duhamel out of all AMA roadracers...the same kind of respect I have for Supermoto champ Jeff Ward...veterans that are still kicking @ss. Regardless of where he places, he'll no doubt give it 110% | ||
| Fireflyer |
Glad it's official. I can't wait. | ||
| Smoke |
given no bike or tire problems Miguel will finish top ten or crash. he knows the track.Go Nicky-go Miguel. tim | ||
| Naughtynurse |
I think it is just a great opportunity for him..you never know if he could be retiring soon  I am just glad I get to see it!! Miguel's #1 fan  |
