Joined Oct 2006
3K Posts | 197+
Living the dream in Scotland
I think coming to BSB is the best move Hopper has ever made. Like you say, everything was new to him, and BSB has it's share of hometown heroes, along with the big guns like Shakey.
I can't get excited for Hill at all. Over the course of the year, Shakey and Hopper were the guys to beat, I don't like "what ifs" but the nature of the showdown, with Laverty skittling Byrne and Hoppers bike problems did him a huge favour.
History will remember Hill as the champ, but I think it's Hopkin's career thats about to take off again.
I can't get excited for Hill at all. Over the course of the year, Shakey and Hopper were the guys to beat, I don't like "what ifs" but the nature of the showdown, with Laverty skittling Byrne and Hoppers bike problems did him a huge favour.
History will remember Hill as the champ, but I think it's Hopkin's career thats about to take off again.
I think that is kind of fitting. Hill wins his BSB title, the thing he's worked so hard at for years and ultimately deserves. Hopper on the other hand is moving on to greater things either way, so the BSB title isn't too significant in that respect. Having said that i'd be surprised if Hopper ever won a world championship of any sort.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Yesterday, i watched the race in the morning, it made for a bad day and even until night i was still pissed off. (Ask poor Wilski & Austin who i texted multiple "fuckity .....". ) Each of u hav good posts, all opinions I respect (for the most part); but this here pretty much echoes my sentiment.
I understand that your guy didn't win and that anything that close is always going to be hard to lose, but i wouldn't expect you to be like this, especially given your (still on-going) resistance to very similar suggestions about the outcome of motogp in 06
Jumkie you have been quite clearly suggesting that you feel Hopper deserved to win more, I don't mind if you aren't especially happy for Hill. Earlier in this topic (or this season) i quite clearly pointed out that riders and teams will adjust their tactics and approach accordingly, making the eventual winner deserving regardless of the speculation regarding the rules, my beef is with the system.
Joined Feb 2008
3K Posts | 470+
Outback Steakhouse
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Joined Feb 2008
3K Posts | 470+
Outback Steakhouse
Ah, well, so anybody hear what's next for good'o bad-luck Hopper? I wonder what disaster awaits him next.
2012 will be a good one for Hopper......Good things come to those who wait
Joined Feb 2008
3K Posts | 470+
Outback Steakhouse
Ah, well, so anybody hear what's next for good'o bad-luck Hopper? I wonder what disaster awaits him next.
Samsung Crescent Suzuki in WSBK ( if they decide to enter ) ?
Alitalia Aprilia to replace Camier in WSBK ?
Yamaha ( Factory or not to be factory ) team to replace Melandri in WSBK ?
Thats before we start thinking about possible GP rides
Joined Mar 2005
7K Posts | 20+
Woody Creek
Laverty supposedly signed for Aprilia yesterday, so I'd say that door's closed. I'm not sure what Suzuki's situation is with World Supers, but I'd imagine that's an option. I'd personally be surprised if Ducati continue on with a single bike for Checa, especially with a new bike next year. Double especially considering the single bike rules will make it somewhat less expensive for Althea (or Corse, depending on what you believe) to run a second rider. I thought I'd heard Johnny Rea is pretty adamant Ten Kate run a competitive second rider, so that could be an option. I'd say those are his option in World Superbike, but I haven't heard anything from him on the subject in nearly two months.
Joined Oct 2006
3K Posts | 197+
Living the dream in Scotland
I think what Jum is saying Tom, is that no one is going to argue that Shakey and Hopper were the class of the field all year, so it's hard to swallow when it is lost on the last 3 rounds. I personally think it sucks. Why bother with the season when the whole year is geared to 3 weekends? Hopper's breakdown and Byrne getting knocked off would not have made a huge difference in the whole season, but in the Showdown rounds they were kiss of death. To go back to 2006, there were so many times that Rossi missed the 5 points that lost him the title, thats a seasons racing, but when it is the case that most of the season is dismissed almost for the last 3 races, it's a bitter pill.
Hill won the title, nobody can take that away, just like Hayden in 06, but it's a very different scenario here. I firmly believe that under conventional season long scoring, Hill would have got the number 3 plate, and that would be his level.
Sadly, it's not the case, and Hill has the title.
Pete
I understand your point, and maybe that is what Jumkie is getting at. I have said before that i don't like the new rules because they don't do justice to the rider and teams efforts over the whole season, and they reduce the importance of consistency and resilliance, both of which i think are fundamental qualities for a rider in a high end championship. I have also stated that with the rules as they are, everyone knew what they were getting into and adjusted accordingly so at the end of the day Tommy Hill is a worthy and deserving champion, he did it better than anyone else.
What confuses me about Jumkie's position is that he presents his displeasure with the rule system (if that is his problem) in the form of bitterness about Hoppers final position, but Hopper has clearly gained more than his competitors due to the showdown system due to his experience and his injury. He found himself in the last race fighting for the title rather than 2nd place.
I think complaining abut the rules and complaining about the final result are seperate issues.
Joined Oct 2006
3K Posts | 197+
Living the dream in Scotland
Yeah, it's the rules I take issue with Tom. I'll be honest, I was absolutely gutted for Hopper, and I'd be lying if I said I was a fan of Hill. But, he played the game, and beat Hopper when he had to. What was very telling was the way Shakey just disappeared as if to say ".... you" to everyone else, and remind them who the man to beat is. There's no denying it was Shakey who was hit hardest by the rules, but he made the rest look second rate on Sunday,
Get BSB back to the way it was or run it over 3 weekends, it's neither here nor there just now. If I'd been at Brands, I'd have been blown away, but it makes you wonder whether riders are doing "just enough" before the showdown, which is ......
I also have an issue with the qualifying system that allows you to write off a race, and go for a fast lap for grid position for the next one.
I'd rather see seasons like 96 where the Boost Yams were fighting week in week out, and it still came down to the last race weekend, because the racing was so close. Neither Whitham or Mackenzie could afford a mistake after a whole season head to head. Much more satisfying for us guys watching.
Second that. Regardless of outcome, still one of the most exciting bits of racing I've seen in a VERY long time. Had Hopper not had the mechanical issue in race 2 then the title would've been his. Still, that's racing.
Kiyo nowhere again - not sure what the future holds there.
Also props to James Ellison for mixing it up there with the big guns this time out.
Joined Mar 2005
7K Posts | 20+
Woody Creek
In Hill's defense, he looked to have Shakey covered at the season opener at Brands and was untouchable until he broke his collarbone in warm up at Oulton. Who knows how long he was riding at less than 100 percent? To say Shakey and Hopkins were the class of the field the whole season, excluding Hill, I think is unfair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjePvNcu8n4
the final lap in its entirety, I will not tire of watching this over and over
Phill, were we cheering that loudly that it was picked up on the TV, I think we were
the final lap in its entirety, I will not tire of watching this over and over
Phill, were we cheering that loudly that it was picked up on the TV, I think we were
Joined Jan 2011
3K Posts | 152+
The North!
