<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Apr 5 2008, 08:11 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>To add to my previous post: Upon more consideration, all the major motorcycle racing series, AMA, BSB, WSBK, & MotoGP
have changed and evolved dramatically! MotoGP has catered to its
‘feeder’ series that are the lower classes (125/250s). This is another point Tom & I differ; he still thinks that the lower classes are not ‘feeder’ classes, where as I think they are ‘feeder’ series to the premier class.
This should NOT be perceived as lacking an appreciation for the lower classes, but rather it’s an
acknowledgment of how GP racing
has changed. At one time, I would have agreed that the lower classes were perhaps stand-alone championships, but not now.
It is this change that I believe has limited the introduction of top talent from superbike racing. The 125 riders look like jockeys, I don’t think a normal sized youngster would be very successful, and as such, the top 125 boys (with their particular physical characteristics) move on to 250s, and eventually move onto MotoGP (as we have seen an influx this year). They are very talented young men, but certainly they are also groomed and my point—
‘differentiated’ for MotoGP. This is very different from the reality of superbike racing where the classes are 600s & 1000s (lacking the 125s to a significant degree). What happens is there is less an emphasis in particular physical characteristics because the power to weight ratios are not as dramatic in what are effectively only two entry level displacements. Even a young rookie jumps on a 1000cc racing with veterans.
The road to MotoGP has effectively changed! This has more and more limited the superbike racer to earn a seat in GP racing. As part of this discussion, consider that Toesland is the only ONE among a larger rookie class of 250 riders into MotoGP. Perhaps it is this reality that contributes to the perception that superbike racer, according to Tom, are not on par to 250 racers. But I would say, it’s more because the GP series has changed to cater to its ‘feeder’ series that reflects this perception.
I don't think that the 250cc class is a feeder series as its rule structure and format are not designed around producing motogp riders (like AMA in the 80's), i would say similar about the 125's but the introduction of the age limits have ultimately changed its identity to the official feeder class above the redbull rookies cup. This is a decision i don't approve of because the quality of racing has suffered as a result, and i think its a shame because 125 is often the most entertaining race of a GP sunday. I understand that this is all part of the progression of motogp to a more mainstream sport, and as the never endeing effort to be like F1 continues we see more of these decisions being made. I expect the new (4 stroke) rules for the smaller classes to be made up in a way that very much defines them as "feeder" classes not unlike GP2 for example.
I agree that the road to motogp has changed, but i don't think that the motogp's changes have been conciously trying to cater to its own smaller classes. In the 80's the people best prepared for 500cc bikes were people who were not affriad of a lot of power, could cope with a rear wheel that was almost always sliding and who were strong enough to force a bike to fit. Those riders mostly came from superbikes and dirt tracking backgrounds. As chassis and tyre technology has improved that weigting has shifted to riders who need to be able to ride the front end of their bike hard and precise, use a lot of corner speed and set up a chassis with a complicated amount of parameters. these riders mostly come from grand prix backgrounds. This transition was already taking place long before the switch to 4 stroke machinary, hence why i think it is a product of advancing technology and not a concious alteration.
The reason why i think superbike riders are not quite on a par with 250gp guys is because I judge them based on their performance at the pinnacle of roadracing, and GP riders quite simply come better prepared.
