COLIN EDWARDS

So the most convincing argument for employing Edwards is that Rossi likes him?
My argument says if you want a one man team, then get a one man team. But if you employ two riders, invest in both of them. I'm not saying its entirely Colin's fault, although in my opinion, at least partly it is, its also Yamaha, who have eyes only for Rossi, and seem to forget that they have another rider. However I believe that if Edwards raced as his potential seems to show, then even if he was to take race wins from Rossi and Yamaha no longer would want him, he'd have impressed enough to get a deal with another team. There is no question here of Colin being good enough, his testing and practice times show that, but he's too afraid of racing at his best, possibly showing Rossi up at a race or two, and losing his Yamaha seat.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Feb 14 2007, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's not unusual to see a Rossi painted Aprillia, Honda or Yamaha, but when did you last see an Edwards rep Honda SP2? (the Aprillias dont count, he didnt win the world title twice on that!) Quite simply, with a phenomenon like Rossi on board the bike, Yamaha know where the cash is coming from. And where it's gone.
Pete

I see a considerable number of castrol sp2's, not to mention laguna seca specials. I think Edwards replicas are quite common. But i havn't seen an edwards rep yamaha since he came to the motgp squad.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (IsraeliRacer @ Feb 14 2007, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So the most convincing argument for employing Edwards is that Rossi likes him?
My argument says if you want a one man team, then get a one man team. But if you employ two riders, invest in both of them. I'm not saying its entirely Colin's fault, although in my opinion, at least partly it is, its also Yamaha, who have eyes only for Rossi, and seem to forget that they have another rider. However I believe that if Edwards raced as his potential seems to show, then even if he was to take race wins from Rossi and Yamaha no longer would want him, he'd have impressed enough to get a deal with another team. There is no question here of Colin being good enough, his testing and practice times show that, but he's too afraid of racing at his best, possibly showing Rossi up at a race or two, and losing his Yamaha seat.

i think it comes down to the teams attitude. Honda for example employ two riders and want them both to be championship contenders (the repsol boys). Then they give satelite bikes to other teams, and they want Honda bikes to fill the first 3 spots every weekend and in the cahmpionship. Yamaha however have employed Rossi to be world champion, and the purpose of every yamaha employee, including Colin, is to help Rossi win that world title.

I think if Edwards actually believes he can be world champion he is kidding himself, so it could be argued that his career choice is quite a good one. Compare it to a role such as Carlos Checa at honda. To play the team role that Edwards has probably makes him happy, but he still needs to win some races.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 14 2007, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I see a considerable number of castrol sp2's, not to mention laguna seca specials. I think Edwards replicas are quite common. But i havn't seen an edwards rep yamaha since he came to the motgp squad.


I can't say I've seen many Tom, to be honest I dont know if I've ever actually seen one in the flesh. But I'm not disputing you have seen a good few, maybe Scotland is not so "Edwards friendly"

But, the point I'm making is more, whether or not Edwards is as valuable to sales as Vale? I think the answer has to be no, Vale as a brand is worth millions, and although it is a cynical thought, thats what Yamaha want to do. Sell bikes.

Having Vale join them and kick Honda up the butt was a huge boost to them, just as Vale did wonders for sales at Honda and Aprillia.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 14 2007, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I see a considerable number of castrol sp2's, not to mention laguna seca specials. I think Edwards replicas are quite common. But i havn't seen an edwards rep yamaha since he came to the motgp squad.
i think it comes down to the teams attitude. Honda for example employ two riders and want them both to be championship contenders (the repsol boys). Then they give satelite bikes to other teams, and they want Honda bikes to fill the first 3 spots every weekend and in the cahmpionship. Yamaha however have employed Rossi to be world champion, and the purpose of every yamaha employee, including Colin, is to help Rossi win that world title.

I think if Edwards actually believes he can be world champion he is kidding himself, so it could be argued that his career choice is quite a good one. Compare it to a role such as Carlos Checa at honda. To play the team role that Edwards has probably makes him happy, but he still needs to win some races.


The point just the I'm making Tom.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Feb 14 2007, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But, the point I'm making is more, whether or not Edwards is as valuable to sales as Vale? I think the answer has to be no, Vale as a brand is worth millions, and although it is a cynical thought, thats what Yamaha want to do. Sell bikes.

No doubt Rossi is worth a lot to yamaha. Go to a yamaha dealer now and it is a very yellow looking. They really are making use of him, and i don't doubt that their sales have reflected that. No doubt Yamaha must still be thrilled with the signing of a lifetime.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 14 2007, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No doubt Rossi is worth a lot to yamaha. Go to a yamaha dealer now and it is a very yellow looking. They really are making use of him, and i don't doubt that their sales have reflected that. No doubt Yamaha must still be thrilled with the signing of a lifetime.


And I'm sure Vale is happy with his paycheck!

Pete

I would like to see collin and rossi do the 1-2 through out the season.

I wouldn't

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Feb 14 2007, 06:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You notice how Valentino praises his team, hugs of appreciation and all that jazz. You notice he includes Colin in that. Perhaps Colin's job description is something along the lines of develop the bike, look after Valentino, and stay fit! If this is the case (and I am only guessing), does this make Colin lacking in ambition, or a true professional?
so colins job, if your right , is to soley support rossi? that if he were to become a threat to him by actually winning races that his job would be in jeopardy? like some seem to suggest. i hope for colin's sake your wrong with this guess. as a racer how could u just accept this? if colin went out & started winning, his value would go thru the roof! to say his job is just to support rossi & tow the co. line.... thats nonsense.

I wouldn't so much call it his job, but realistically speaking, that is what he is capable of, so why kid himself that he is gonna be champion or all that. I am not suggesting that he would sit behind rossi all year, because that just wouldn't happen. Like i have said before, he plays the classic Barichello role

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Feb 14 2007, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As Burky says, how many guys genuinely believe they can be MotoGP champ?
well i hope for the sake of our sport that all of them believe they have what it takes. if any of them think that they can't win, then they need to be replaced now! thats a defeatest attitude! unacceptable!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Feb 14 2007, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>so colins job, if your right , is to soley support rossi? that if he were to become a threat to him by actually winning races that his job would be in jeopardy? like some seem to suggest. i hope for colin's sake your wrong with this guess. as a racer how could u just accept this? if colin went out & started winning, his value would go thru the roof! to say his job is just to support rossi & tow the co. line.... thats nonsense.
But I'm not so sure Frosty old chap. I didn't say his job was 'purely' to support Rossi. I said, in essence, that his job might be to support Yamaha and their ambitions, which would make sense as they are after all his employers, and probably keeping him accustomed to a pretty nice lifestyle.

My problem with your arguement is that it is all 'ifs and buts'! No offence Frosty, but Colin isn't going to go out and start winning lots of races, his job will not become in jeopardy, and his value will not be going through the roof. A team is a team, and Colin is an integral part of that winning team. As a racer, I reckon he takes some pride from that.

We have to remember, these guys are out there to make a living first and foremost, and to entertain us is just the product. When we speak of riders' lacking ambition because of team order, poor machinery etc, I get a little edgy. It's not easy to make a living at motorcycle racing, and if you do, then you're a damn site faster than anybody watching on the telly! So if my arguement is correct, it's not sad, it's not a shame, and it's not lacking in ambition. It's the real world!

From Eurosport

Colin Edwards believes Yamaha have no excuses for not winning this year’s Moto GP world championship.

The 32-year-old American set the fastest time on two of the three days of testing in Malaysia last week and did the same on Tuesday in Qatar.

And, on current form, he finds it hard to believe that anyone can stop either himself or his Italian team-mate Valentino Rossi from taking the title.

Edwards told Motorcycle News: "This time we were fast but had a load of chatter from the front end. Now we are fast but the chatter is gone. At the present moment, if Valentino and I don't finish one-two in the championship, then there's a problem.

"I'm more confident with this bike than I had been for a long time. I'm feeling good, not over confident, but good."

Despite Edwards' impressive pace, Rossi is the natural team leader and is favourite to win his sixth world title this season.

The season gets underway at Losail in Qatar - the very circuit the teams are currently testing at - in a month's time.


Edwards has a tendency to let his mouth run faster than his bike.

Donington 2004

"A lot of people were putting pressure on me this season, people who thought I should be doing better. Well here’s to the nay-sayers - I’m back. "

2004 results after Donington - 7th, 9th, dnf, 2nd, 11th, 4th, 8th. Back?

I actually like the guy and think he has it in him to win a race or two this season based on well the bike is doing in testing. I know he won the BMW, but it was wet (James Ellison finished fourth) and I never remember him running so consistently in testing, out pacing Valentino shows they really have a great piece of machinery. If hes in the top 3 during the Jerez test over the course of the 3 days he should do well this year. I just hope he can back up his "everything is bigger in Texas" mouth

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Feb 14 2007, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My problem with your arguement is that it is all 'ifs and buts'! No offence
as is yours is it not?.... none taken brother.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Feb 14 2007, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Colin isn't going to go out and start winning lots of races
this i already know.

I tell you what, I'm gonna put it bluntly 'cos it's a terrible arguement, and I want to go get ready for a hot date!

If you have raced through schoolboys, into the adult ranks, family paid out God knows how many thousands living the dream of possibly being fast enough, achieved some wins, gained sponsorship, won national races, moved into the international ranks, gone to the lengths of setting up in business, employed management and PR professionals, who in turn negotiate works contracts so that you end with a rare position on the Moto GP grid........then please tell me what spectator has the right to say..........

"well i hope for the sake of our sport that all of them believe they have what it takes. if any of them think that they can't win, then they need to be replaced now! thats a defeatest attitude! unacceptable!"

Sorry Pete, but I find that a bit unnecessary,..............and get your glad rags on, I'll pick you up at 7!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Feb 14 2007, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>........then please tell me what spectator has the right to say..........
surly u joke. as a spectator, i as does anybody else, who follow this or any sport & pay good money to be entertained, can spout any ........ opinion, idea, take whatever i choose to on a forum created just for that pupose.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Feb 14 2007, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> surly u joke. as a spectator, i as does anybody else, who follow this or any sport & pay good money to be entertained, can spout any ........ opinion, idea, take whatever i choose to on a forum created just for that pupose.
Yeah sure. Of course, but it is still a business, and unless those businesses work, we simply won't have Moto GP. But yeah, you're right, we can all spout out our opinions. That's what makes it fun. It's like being sat around a table shackled to our chairs!!

But let us get something clear, all those guys deserve to be there, 'surely'!

well put pete, i agree with all that and burkys post, a few points i must admit i didnt think of.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Burky @ Feb 14 2007, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But let us get something clear, all those guys deserve to be there, 'surely'!
absotutely! i think most have earned it.

Colin recently said in an interview that there is no reason him and Rossi shouldn't finish this season 1 and 2. I don't believe for a second he was considering himself for first. And that sums it up really.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 14 2007, 03:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't believe for a second he was considering himself for first.
if this were true, it would be ashame really.