A Comparison

WSBK has a new, avid follower in me.

I recently purchased the 2008 MotoGP review and after watching the races back-to-back I asked myself why I spent the money? (I had an Amazon gift card, but even so...). I watched race after race and found myself watching the same thing over and over again. I was a bit disgusted by the end of the season.

Then Just a few days ago I decided to sit down and familiarize myself with WSBK, via they're terrible website. As I watched race 1 of Philip Island I was literally on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. I had almost no idea who most of the racers were, but I still found myself cheering on Haga as he and Neukirchner battled tooth and nail for first. Race two was even more exciting with Spies and Haga battling endlessly for the top spot.

So, after my review of the last season of MotoGP and these first few races of WSBK, I have noticed a huge difference in the races. In MotoGP most of the racing is done in the first few laps, and the rest of the race is a conga line following Rossi/Stoner/Pedrosa. In WSBK on the other hand, I saw riders racing in close packs lap after lap and conserving their energy for the final kick. The last laps in both WSBK races were the most exciting I have seen in a long time.

I must say, that though I will always be a MotoGP fan, I will now be following WSBK possibly more avidly. Thanks to everyone who recommended I tune in to WSBK (Jumkie, Bootsakah) and for those that helped me find a plug-in for the terrible WSBK website to work for my mac! (Son-of-a-Doohan, mattsteg). I can see now that there is some serious racing going on in WSBK!

You'd really never seen WSB before??? Pretty much every season of WSB I can remember has been awesome, so it's worth getting the season review DVD's - at least they won't be much worse than MotoGP 08.

And it's well worth checking out British Superbikes too, though I don't know how easily you'll find the DVD's over there.
If you like Laguna you should love seeing the BSB lot jumping the mountain at Cadwell Park - kind of like the corkscrew in reverse.

Don't judge GP too harshly. Sure, it's complete garbage right now, but someday those clowns will pull their heads out and GP will as good as it used to be.

Buy the 2006 GP season review, I don't know if it can do that season justice since there was drama every single weekend.

My favorite race was definitely Mugello. For the first half of the race Gibby was leading Rossi. The curse was on the line, Rossi's winning streak was on the line, and Ducati pride was on the line. Plus, listening to the 2 990 Ducati's thundering past Braxy at 200+ gave me chills.



But yeah, for now, WSBK is definitely the premier class.

Yeah, if you can catch any race of 08 (mainly the the second race of Misano) you'll be really addicted.

I would avoid the season Hodgson won the "Ducati-Cup" WSBK title, 2003 I believe. Every other season especially when Colin Edwards still tried to win races from 2000-2002. Edwards and Bayliss had some truly epic battles.

No, I will definitely still be following this season of GP very closely. I have high hopes this year...I'm excited to see how Hayden handles the Duc and I definitely want to see Lorenzo push himself more. However, I think I might be even more excited to see Haga and Spies battle it out some more this season

Sorry, I'm not very familiar at all with the riders at WSBK. I know at least not to expect much from Nakano! Any great riders I should be watching for? I know Biaggi has his moments, and Haga's racing was truly impressive...Spies is definitely a favorite already

Hey!...WSBK was MY idea!




GO SPIES!!!

Glad you are liking it Trem! Just keep watching and like others say, get the season reviews, and you will start getting familiar with the riders.

As far as guys to watch for, this season is interesting because a few typical front runners like Corser, Xaus and Biaggi have taken up on new factory projects, but they will come up to speed and you should definitely watch for them. It's still fun watching those known good factories come up to speed though. I expect guys like Neukirchner, Rea and Haslam to continue doing well and in time Byrne and Sykes will get back on form. Fabrizio is on the other factory Ducati so watch for him to be fast. Checa was good most of last year so he should be watched. Kiyonari had a nightmare time at Phillip Island, but he is also one to watch. Obviously Spies and Haga are looking great so far. What's so great about WSBK is most of the guys I listed above are very capable of winning a race.

Qatar is this weekend!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ogunski @ Mar 11 2009, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would avoid the season Hodgson won the "Ducati-Cup" WSBK title, 2003 I believe. Every other season especially when Colin Edwards still tried to win races from 2000-2002. Edwards and Bayliss had some truly epic battles.
Yeah, Hodgson's year was pretty boring with the two Fila Ducati's winning practically every race, though Toseland's first WSB win and Shakey's double were pretty good.

2002 was easily the best season I've ever seen - Edwards made the greatest comeback ever to take the title battle right to the last race of the year. It's worth getting the DVD just to see them swapping paint at Imola.

2004 wasn't bad either, with 4 riders in with a shot at the title by the time they got to the final round.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tremulant @ Mar 11 2009, 02:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Any great riders I should be watching for?
everyone Bootsakah mentioned, plus riders like Laconi and Kagayama are more than capable of winning a few on the right day. And I'm expecting Smrz to surprise a few people this year too.

Basically, it's probably the strongest grid in any form of motorsport this year.

and dont forget the World SuperSports...

they have some epic race long battles too! probably moreso than the WSB races...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigAl @ Mar 12 2009, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>and dont forget the World SuperSports...

they have some epic race long battles too! probably moreso than the WSB races...


I'll second that! Watched the WSS race from Philip Island the other day. Was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Thought I would never see the day when I would be pullin' for Westy!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (VTtwinner @ Mar 12 2009, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'll second that! Watched the WSS race from Philip Island the other day. Was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Thought I would never see the day when I would be pullin' for Westy!
If West was on a Ten Kate I'd be calling the championship now, just like I calles Spies champ a few mins ago although I've had a few drinks tonite.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stevo @ Mar 11 2009, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Basically, it's probably the strongest grid in any form of motorsport this year.

With the exception of GP racing it could well be

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 12 2009, 12:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>With the exception of GP racing it could well be

Wrong



WSS is ....... AWESOME...great battles there for sure..

If you have Netflix, you can get all the season reviews for WSBK from 2000. Check them out.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 12 2009, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>With the exception of GP racing it could well be
How many MotoGP riders do you think have a realistic chance of winning this year?

And how many WSB riders do you think have a shot at winning?

What I mean is that it looks like being a lot closer than any other series, though I hope MotoGP proves me wrong.