Sundays announcement of Cal Crutchlow's incredible promotion to the Tech 3 Motogp team for the next 2 season's is intriguing. I'm trying to remember the last time a relatively unsuccessful Superbike rider was promoted to the big time so quickly, CV had a better resume so I'm thinking it was Andrew Pitt on the Kwaka, though I'm not too sure of Guintoli's origins, prior to that it may have been Haslam, back in those days though the seats were not so much a premium as today.
In the modern era the promotion of Riders like Toseland, Bayliss, Edwards and Spies was more easily accepted as they were Superbike champions-most even multiple champs. But Cal hasn't really set the world alight in WSBK besides a string a poles IMO. To his credit Cal's outperformed his ex-motogp teammate this year but other than a couple of wins at home, they have struggled with crashes and setting the bike up to not chew the rear tyre all season. And as we know, the ability to precisely diagnose and cure set-up issues is ever-more crucial in the top-class.
The push to acquire at least a single British rider in Motogp may have blurred the lines a little- I'm not sure, or is it just that there is a lack of other viable options. Moto2 seems to have a gaggle of great talent, some of the front-runners however have already outstayed their welcome in the top class, as have some of the current Motogp crop. With a serious hole to fill Yamaha has seemingly taken a rather large gamble-and with contracts in the way, maybe Cal's just the best option of 'available' 'untried' talent......and in looking to 2012.....?
In the modern era the promotion of Riders like Toseland, Bayliss, Edwards and Spies was more easily accepted as they were Superbike champions-most even multiple champs. But Cal hasn't really set the world alight in WSBK besides a string a poles IMO. To his credit Cal's outperformed his ex-motogp teammate this year but other than a couple of wins at home, they have struggled with crashes and setting the bike up to not chew the rear tyre all season. And as we know, the ability to precisely diagnose and cure set-up issues is ever-more crucial in the top-class.
The push to acquire at least a single British rider in Motogp may have blurred the lines a little- I'm not sure, or is it just that there is a lack of other viable options. Moto2 seems to have a gaggle of great talent, some of the front-runners however have already outstayed their welcome in the top class, as have some of the current Motogp crop. With a serious hole to fill Yamaha has seemingly taken a rather large gamble-and with contracts in the way, maybe Cal's just the best option of 'available' 'untried' talent......and in looking to 2012.....?
