| Author | Message | ||
     Bads1 |
I really liked him but he just didn't seem to do what Honda wanted and it showed. Neil Hodgson is filling his shoe's and will be Dumamel's team mate. I think this next year could be very interesting in the Honda camp next season. Will Neil give Matt and Ben a run for the money ??? I hope so. | ||
| M1combat |
Where's he going? | ||
| Bads1 |
As of now he has no ride. Kawasaki resigned there present riders. Suzuki camp is unchanged and the only prospect would be Yamaha. | ||
| Bads1 |
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=30151 | ||
| Rasta_dog |
That's too bad. In a two man, one manufacturer race for the championship, Jake is currently third in the standings. I guess Honda is saying that the factory CBR1000RR is just as good as the Yoshimura GSXR1000 so it must be the rider? | ||
| Bads1 |
I don't know about that but Honda is crude company..... they like results for sure. Is the bike as good as Suzuki?? I don't think so.....yet. | ||
| Rasta_dog |
Yeah, I agree. I was being sarcastic.  | ||
| Trojan |
Honda have never been renowned for their loyalty, and are far more interested in rsults for their machines rather than their riders. I hope Neil Hodgson does well, as he has turned down some pretty impressive WSB offers in order to return to AMA next year. Jake should fish around for a ride in British Superbikes next year. A lot of the top BSB guys are off to the WSB/WSS series in 2008 and I'm sure someone like Jake Zemke would do well here and bring a bit of glamour to the championship too  | ||
| Jaimec |
Yeah, that's the way Honda thinks. It's not Spies and Mladin cleaning their clock year after year... it's the GSXR1000 that's doing it. Of course, since this is ONLY happening in the States it must be American AIR that makes that bike so fast... Jake has been consistently the fastest non-Suzuki rider this season. He deserves better. So now Honda is campaigning American Superbikes with two non-Americans? That'll go over big... | ||
| Bads1 |
Honda isn't known for its loyalty but has shown it to Duhamel. He deserves it but I'd say that his retirement has got to be soon. I'll bet he'll be working for Honda even after his racing career. | ||
| Slaughter |
Hayes after 2 FX titles is on the street as well. HRC... I can't say enough evil about them. Not just loyalty to riders, HRC isn't fit to lick the slime off of a rotting donkey rectum. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it's just business ...but HRC is the antichrist of motor racing. | ||
| Al_lighton |
Steve, Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel... I tend to agree. I also agree, it isn't Zemke that is keeping the RR1000 off the podium in superbike. | ||
| Knickers |
Isn't Zemke the last non-Yosh rider to win an AMA superbike race? It's even more of a slap in the face when taking into consideration how close Duhamel is to retirement. | ||
| Trojan |
It is pretty amazing that the Suzuki dominates AMA racing yet is nowhere in BSB and struggling to win in WSB even with Biaggi on board. In both the British & World series it is Honda leading the way. In the Japanese Superbike series I think the top 10 are all Honda mounted! What is so different about the US bikes? | ||
| Blublak |
So.. 'The Silly Season' continues to live up to it's name.. Neil is an absolute world class rider. No doubt. Miguel is probably doing a lot more development type work, like Freddie and countless others before and after him. So, is safe in the Honda Paddock until he decides to leave the saddle. I think I read somewhere that he's done so well, he doesn't need the job anymore, it's just his love of the sport that keeps him riding. 'Earthquake' Jake hasn't had to machine. I hate to tell Honda this, but the Yosh bike is the most developed 1000cc MotoGP bike currently running in the AMA. Even Speed has said in the past.. the only things that are 'stock' on the Yosh bikes are the main frame spar and the outer engine cases. Almost as stock as a NASCAR stock car... Anyway, since Honda didn't want to see it as the ride, it has to be the rider.. 'Jakes out, find someone that can win us some races..' Of course, with the rule changes, that may happen anyway.. On the other hand.. ANY team should LOVE to have Jake ride for them. He's good looking (My wife says 'He's a cutie') and can speak very well for his sponsors.. He's a 'money maker' if they want him to be. Josh.. Man talk about dissed. Erion at least should still be offering him a home, two championships aint bad stock.. Of course, if Honda knew Jake was out.. and if they were a 'employee loyalty' type group, they would have offered Hayes the SBK ride and had Erion tap Hodgeson so he was 'in the fold' so to speak. It's a shame.. I wouldn't mind seeing Jake and Josh in Blue, Black and Gold.. (you know, the fantasy Buell Factory SBK team?) But I don't think we're anywhere near that.. So.. You think Josh or Jake will be wearing Green or Blue next year? Heck, Gobert hasn't been doing so hot lately.. Maybe Jake could end up on an Erion bike gunning for Neil and Miguel?? Man.. this is getting too thick.. I'm outta here for now.. It would be nice though...To see two World ClassRiders.. On Buell's Yeah.. I'm still dreaming...} | ||
| Jaimec |
Spies and Mladin, pure and simple. | ||
| Trojan |
So.. You think Josh or Jake will be wearing Green or Blue next year? They will be wearing Orange and riding 1200cc KTM RC8's in AMA or WSB (he says hopefully). | ||
| Jaimec |
AMA won't allow 1200cc until the 2009 season, Matt. Personally, I'd like to see 'em in Blue riding an 1125R, but that's just me... | ||
| Trojan |
Ahh, but BSB and WSB will be 1200 next year. Hayes & Zemke are two US riders that I have always said would do well in Europe (+ Herrin & DiSalvo), and maybe this is their opportunity to cast their net a bit further for a decent ride next year. It would be great to see some young Americans in BSB, but they would be equally at home in World Superbike or even World Supersport next year. Most of the top WSB rides are taken already but there may be a few surprises left, and if Aprilia, KTM & BMW enter the fray as rumoured there will be a lot more factory teams to choose from. KTM are targetting the US market at the moment with the lauch of the Superduke Stateside, so it would make good commercial sense for them to hire a known US rider if they make the jump into WSB in 2008. There are also a few rides left in MotoGP next year, and although they aren't with the established top teams it would be a good stepping stone for either of them to get into GP's and get noticed. D'Antin Ducati, Minolta, Gresini Honda and team KR still have't confirmed riders yet and all will get factory bikes in 2008 except KR, so any would be a safe place to start in MotoGP I would think.. | ||
| Jaimec |
Repsol still hasn't confirmed Pedrosa yet either... | ||
| Trojan |
Pedrosa is holding out in an effort to get Honda to switch to Bridgestone next year. It is pretty inconceivable that he won't eventually sign for Honda again having been groomed for MotoGP by the factory for years, and big H are not looking for any other riders to replace him at this point. If anyone's place in teh Repsol team is shakey it will probably be Nicky's for 2009. | ||
| Bads1 |
When did this turn into a GP thread???? | ||
| Jaimec |
Right you are. | ||
| Jaimec |
This Sunday, it's "Winner Take All" at Laguna Seca! Mladin or Spies?? This will be WAR! | ||
| Bads1 |
I'm hoping Spies but sure would like to see other then a Suzuki/Maladin/Spies show. I guess I'm looking forward to next year with Neil on a Honda and a new Honda. | ||
| Jaimec |
Remember how boring it was BEFORE Spies came along? Then it was ALL Mat! | ||
| Bads1 |
Yeah I know. It would really be nice though if another manufacture would step up to the plate. I feel is though the rider's are out there. | ||
| Bads1 |
Matt could actually rap it up by taking second. All depends on Spies. | ||
| Mxer83 |
Honda has no loyalty to its riders, just look at what they did to McGrath & Carmichael in moto-cross & supercross, THEY ARE EVIL !! for sure | ||
| Bads1 |
McGrath is presently working for Honda. I don't think Honda is Evil. They are the biggest of BIG FOUR and pay like they are the biggest. They want results. If you were the man signing the checks you's want win's. |
