Capirossi to Pramac, Bad Decision??

Keshav said:

It's been reported by reliable journos that Capi is planning to retire after this season.

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is planning,or is forced to retire?

i mean what about his dream to ride the liter bikes again?

cliché guevara said:

is planning,or is forced to retire?

i mean what about his dream to ride the liter bikes again?

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Loris has been riding around for his pension since he parted ways with Ducati in 2007. '06 was his year - but as we know, it wasn't to be. I think Suzuki employed him for his developmental experience which many would insist is questionable anyway. I also think that Suzuki sapped him of motivation. It'd be great to see him back on a litre bike with a decent package underneath him before he goes..but I really believe that 2006 was his last hurrah.

Arrabbiata1 said:

Loris has been riding around for his pension since he parted ways with Ducati in 2007. '06 was his year - but as we know, it wasn't to be. I think Suzuki employed him for his developmental experience which many would insist is questionable anyway. I also think that Suzuki sapped him of motivation. It'd be great to see him back on a litre bike with a decent package underneath him before he goes..but I really believe that 2006 was his last hurrah.

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my thoughts exactly.except that i would have liked capirossi to leave gp after 2007



i really don't get how people try to justify his seat in gp because there supposedly aren't any other riders as talented as him

On that note, how does everyone reckon Capi would do in WSBK if he decided to go there? I think if on a proper bike he would be up front....I mean this dude has ridden everything from 500cc two-smokes to 990cc fire breathing beasts, surely he could wrestle a SBK to a few wins?

lets put it this way, if capirossi was checas teammate at althea we wouldn't see checa as the title favorite i guess

To be honest I don't like seeing WSBK as a retirement home for ex GP riders past their used by date. It should be a feeder class for MotoGP and at worst a class where riders who have had a shot at MotoGP and failed can fall back to. WSBK has historically not been dominated by Spanish and Italian riders and I see it as the only real avenue for riders from other Nationalities to show their talent on a world stage and break into MotoGP.

I do favor Capi in WSBK, but here is Capi's problem. Let's say he does hang on thru 2012 getting to ride the litre bikes, he will most likely be done after that and possibly head to WSBK in 2013....problem is, in another post I hypothosized that Hayden could be headed that way as well in 2013 on a Honda having had enough of the MotoGP politics.

Mental Anarchist said:

I think you will find that Capirossi has bent quite a few this year so far so I hardly think he is considered reliable. At the moment he is a known result. He will finish amongst the backmarkers EVERY race this year.



Now look at Cal Crutchlow. Just say that there was another seat filler taking up the second Tech 3 seat alongside their current seat filler then we would not know now that Crutchlow was MotoGP material.. Some may argue that in WSBK last year Crutchlow did not shine and it would be fair to not include him in a list of riders who could well be expected to shine on a MotoGP bike. But the reality is that he is kicking arse. Who'd a thunk dat?



I have absolutely no doubt at all that there are riders out there that could jump on Capirossi's or Elias or Edwards bike and do as well or better within a reasonable period of time. Everyone asks "who are they?". Well I don't know because no one gets a chance. The feeder classes aren't out there scouting new talent from far away lands as it is just easier to look at Spanish and Italian ranks and those that can get some dollars together to get a ride in the Spanish 125, 250 or Moto2 Championship. I can tell you know there are talented riders out there who can't scrape together the money to do that.



How does soccer find these players from obscure countries that have phenomenal talent? They have scouts travelling the world ACTIVELY looking for the next star. Formula 1 are doing the same. Lewis Hamilton was targeted when he was almost wearing nappies because someone scouted his talent.

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totally agree - Capi's time to leave MotoGP is well past. He was doing well up to 2006 until Gibbers rammed him at the start. Sort of late justice for the way Capi had taken Harada out with a deliberate collission for a 250 championship. Would Capi be good for Duc with the 2012 1000er ??? Well 2006 is 5 years ago and he hasn't really helped anyone to develop anything - so probably not. Capi to WSBK - that's almost insulting to WSBK - it's been posted already that it's not the retirement farm for MotoGPers whose contracts are not renewed. Capi - take your hat and move on - make room for somebody else.

Motorcycle scouting is not at all like futbol, football, soccer, whichever name you prefer. The essence of the "beautiful game" is that with some sticks for posts and an old can you can have yourself a game. It is accessible to everyone, rich or poor. A football club can scout a poor kid in a favela, pay for him to go to a local club or school. The investment is minimal. A couple fields and a proper ball is all you need.



Motorcyles- Unless investing heavily is impossible to be seen. And I'm not just talking $$, I'm talking time and effort. I'm sure in Kuala-Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Laos there is a kid that is magic on his scooter. Zips through traffic like a terror. The fist off the line at every light. But the rider is on the way to work to survive. He can find some minutes to kick around with his friends, but impossible to book a session at Sepang.



Here in Spain there is a very popular cooking show. The chefs name is Carlos Argenano. He's a huge racing fan and has money. He has a team with 4 riders in the CEV. The reason why there are so many Spanish in GP- Motorcycle racing is in the country's blood.



I'll miss Capi too

baturro said:

Motorcycle scouting is not at all like futbol, football, soccer, whichever name you prefer. The essence of the "beautiful game" is that with some sticks for posts and an old can you can have yourself a game. It is accessible to everyone, rich or poor. A football club can scout a poor kid in a favela, pay for him to go to a local club or school. The investment is minimal. A couple fields and a proper ball is all you need.



Motorcyles- Unless investing heavily is impossible to be seen. And I'm not just talking $$, I'm talking time and effort. I'm sure in Kuala-Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Laos there is a kid that is magic on his scooter. Zips through traffic like a terror. The fist off the line at every light. But the rider is on the way to work to survive. He can find some minutes to kick around with his friends, but impossible to book a session at Sepang.



Here in Spain there is a very popular cooking show. The chefs name is Carlos Argenano. He's a huge racing fan and has money. He has a team with 4 riders in the CEV. The reason why there are so many Spanish in GP- Motorcycle racing is in the country's blood.



I'll miss Capi too

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Have you read Rossi's book? Zipping around on his scooter is exactly what Rossi did. He and his mates used to soup up their scooters and race them around town.



Don't tell me it takes too much money to stick that kid on a race bike in some little series and see if he whips the field with raw talent.



But what I am talking about is national series around the world there are talent riders out riding because they love it and they are dreaming an impossible dream of making it to MotoGP. They would do anything to get a shot but never will because MotoGP does not pass through their part of the world so they never get spotted.

Rossi's book? You mean that racer who's dad was also a racer? No I haven't. One thing is a Mediterranean non suffering kid tooling up and down the streets of "X" town whose dad is a local legend, and another a third world motorcycle racing diamond in the rough. Guess who has more possibility of being noticed.



In Spain and Italy, motorcycle racing in all over the place. That is why there are so many Spaniards and Italians in 125-Moto2-GP. From where I type, I have 3 GP circuits in a 300 km radius. I don't think many people have that type of infrastructure available.

I have a pretty good idea of what it costs to race a season in CEV (campeonato espanol velocidad) as a friend of mine is a mechanic for the super stock class.



MA- If you don't think it costs too much to throw a kid on a race bike, there are a bunch of chump kids down the street from me that are runnin the piss out of their 49 cc 2 stroke, would you like to sponsor one? And this is a real live Mediterranean, could be a Jem!



And about this national series, How would you find the lucky dreamer? I don't understand.

McKneZ said:

I wish he could stay at ducati for 1 more season... and if ducati realy does well with rossi,capiross,hayden (1000cc exp winers) influence... than it should be a nice year (2012) to retire after

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i like capi and i would love to see him do well before retiring, i dont think the move to 1000cc will be of bennefit to any ex 990 riders cos of the way electronics have evolved and the fuel limit.



i mean i hope im wrong but i dont see the results changing much from what they are today.

levigarrett said:

Your response begs a simple question; Who can do better? There are younger riders out there but would any fair better than Capi on this machine? I think the answer is no. That being said, for his sponsors Capi brings experience and name recognition. He also sparsely bends the machine and is generally likable. I think it's a "best of the worst" scenario for Pramac. He's not expected to challenge on this machine and he's doing well enough against the other GP backmarkers. The entire satellite team concept as it exists in MotoGP is presently a losing endeavor. Satellite bikes don't win or challenge, Pramac knows it's role and in that regard, Capi gets the job done, even if only marginally.

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Given that Stoner is the only rider to really get a hang of the Ducati 800 all the riders on it have made somewhat of a leap of faith to place themselves on it.



That said, and just maybe given that Rossi and Burgess are on the team now, they may move into 2012 on an incredibly competitive bike.



2011 is 17 or so test rides for next years effort. Don't be surprised to see the Ducati at the pointy end of the field with more than one rider placing on the podium at given races.



It must suck however to circulate at the back of the pack when capable of much more as a rider waiting for a fix for the bike.

baturro said:

Rossi's book? You mean that racer who's dad was also a racer? No I haven't. One thing is a Mediterranean non suffering kid tooling up and down the streets of "X" town whose dad is a local legend, and another a third world motorcycle racing diamond in the rough. Guess who has more possibility of being noticed.



In Spain and Italy, motorcycle racing in all over the place. That is why there are so many Spaniards and Italians in 125-Moto2-GP. From where I type, I have 3 GP circuits in a 300 km radius. I don't think many people have that type of infrastructure available.

I have a pretty good idea of what it costs to race a season in CEV (campeonato espanol velocidad) as a friend of mine is a mechanic for the super stock class.



MA- If you don't think it costs too much to throw a kid on a race bike, there are a bunch of chump kids down the street from me that are runnin the piss out of their 49 cc 2 stroke, would you like to sponsor one? And this is a real live Mediterranean, could be a Jem!



And about this national series, How would you find the lucky dreamer? I don't understand.

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Thank you for confirming my point. Spanish and Italian riders are noticed because thats where people are looking. THAT IS THE BIG PROBLEM. MotoGP is going down the toilet filled with Spanish and Italian riders. There is sweat FA sponsorship dollars because Spain and Italy have heavily damaged economies and make up more than half of the GP grid.



MY WHOLE POINT IS TO GET THIS INCESTUOUS FOCUS OF SPAIN AND ITALY AND HAVE A LOOK AROUND THE REST OF THE BLOODY WORLD FOR RIDERS. Just though I would put it in capitals so it would be easier to focus on and understand.



Maybe if the grid had a good diversity of riders then sponsorship from other countries might be forthcoming and MotoGP could thrive.



People can say what they like but the facts are that the Rossi era and the Spanish and Italian dominance on the grid has not been good for the sport because if it was the sport would be thriving instead of the pitiful existence it is eeking out now as it slowly dies. How many bikes will be lining up on the grid this weekend???????????? Were you aware that the factory Yamaha team has no title sponsor and it is wearing the number 1 plate???????



I know that you won't understand because you probably think that there are no motorcycles in other countries or motorcycle racers or motorcycle competitions. You probably think that only Spain and Italy has good riders. Well guess what every country in the world is full of bikes, bike riders and bike racers. Many of them are as good and better than anything your country has but they will never get a shot because no one is looking.

sadly no one is looking because no one is paying...



also its mostly the fault of the national series.

take germany for example, biggest european country,tons of bikers but except for the r6 cup almost no possibility at all to go racing and get yourself noticed



hell,its hard enough to find a place to race pocketbikes here...

Mental Anarchist said:

People can say what they like but the facts are that the Rossi era and the Spanish and Italian dominance on the grid has not been good for the sport because if it was the sport would be thriving instead of the pitiful existence it is eeking out now as it slowly dies. How many bikes will be lining up on the grid this weekend????????????

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There are many riders from those countries because most teams and sponsorship comes from those countries. But anyway, currently there are 4 Italian riders on the grid and 3 Americans, it doesn't seem a huge difference. Also these "only x bikes on grid" cries are starting to get a bit boring. In the past the situation was even worse sometimes, just take a look at some races in the 1990 season:



Japanese GP

bikes on the grid: 14

4.placed finished 40secs behind winner



US GP

bikes on the grid: 11

2nd placed finished 30secs behind the winner, 3rd placed 58secs behind winner



Yugoslav GP

bikes on the grid: 10

3rd placed 33 seconds behind the winner



Australian GP

bikes on the grid: 13

4th place: 42 seconds behind the winner

bigbang said:

There are many riders from those countries because most teams and sponsorship comes from those countries. But anyway, currently there are 4 Italian riders on the grid and 3 Americans, it doesn't seem a huge difference. Also these "only x bikes on grid" cries are starting to get a bit boring. In the past the situation was even worse sometimes, just take a look at some races in the 1990 season:



Japanese GP

bikes on the grid: 14

4.placed finished 40secs behind winner



US GP

bikes on the grid: 11

2nd placed finished 30secs behind the winner, 3rd placed 58secs behind winner



Yugoslav GP

bikes on the grid: 10

3rd placed 33 seconds behind the winner



Australian GP

bikes on the grid: 13

4th place: 42 seconds behind the winner

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I stand correct MotoGP is thriving.



I agree that there are more Spanish and Italian riders because that is where the sponsorship comes from. I must be in some bizarro world because that is what I am saying. Get some riders from somewhere else and maybe then we will get some sponsors from somewhere else too. Dorna forced Elias another spaniard on to the grid when they could have forced someone from somewhere else.

bigbang said:

There are many riders from those countries because most teams and sponsorship comes from those countries. But anyway, currently there are 4 Italian riders on the grid and 3 Americans, it doesn't seem a huge difference. Also these "only x bikes on grid" cries are starting to get a bit boring. In the past the situation was even worse sometimes, just take a look at some races in the 1990 season:

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You make it sound as if the Spanish and Italian teams just sprout up from the soil at the racetrack. There's a reason why they come from those countries and it has to do with Spanish/Italian chauvanism that presupposes these riders are the ones most deserving of exposure, and the fact that the provincial-minded governing bodies short-sightedly focus overmuch on Spanish and Italian economies, sparing lip service only to the rest of the world.