Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Thanks for the input Kropo.
As I understand he turned down Ducati big money to stay in GP. It's a tough decision either way, what would any of us do? Sometimes these offers come with plenty of persuasion tactics. Ive never obviously been in these situations but I personally know riders who have consternated in such situations at the AMA level, and I would be conflicted myself. It's NOT as simple as money versus competitive machine, as my friend Migs framed it. Just for a minute go back gentz and consider our own unkowns about the Honda Proddy racer, and the rumors that were persistent. Sure we had our opinions, but still reserved an element of doubt in our own beliefs. Consider yourself at the table, the offer coming with a bunch of lofty predictions and promises. How many riders tried the Ducati, were they all chasing money? Those who accepted the RCV-RS, were they all chasing money? (As if this is a bad thing when u consider the reality of the only 4 competitive machines, lets be honest.)
I know personally a friend who turned down a lower category Tech3 ride when he was very young and full of hope for the future. He had a host of "good" reasons. I often look back at that decision as possibly a missed opportunity. But at the time, Tech3 lower category appeared shambolic in terms of competitiveness. Yet we associate it as a top team in GP, well, it is, in MotoGP. But go back and read the threads here to when Smith was offered a ride in GP after what many of us considered unworthy results in Moto2? Based on those results he may have rotted in Moto2. But this turned out to be an exception, the question is, who knew?
If it were as clear as money versus competitive machine, it might be an easier decision. But often how it's not, and consider how much "value"'is assigned to the monetary part of that deal. We all for example consider the Kawasaki to be the top machine in Wsbk. So how much more money would be assigned as a "value" compensation for taking an Aprilia seat, a seat we consider less competitive than a Kawasaki? Now consider the same logic for an Aprilia versus Honda, how much real dollars is valued for a Honda then over an Aprilia? Seriously, give me a figure? Is the Aprilia worth $ 10,000, $50,000 $80,000 etc more over the Kawasaki because it is less competitive? See how it's not that easy?
Consider also the changes in fortunes, Kawasaki was costing Shane the championship when they used Mitsubishi electronics. Clearly the machine and rider were capable of fast laps, as he notched pole position like gang busters. Then during the race the tires became saw dust. Once they switched to Marelli, this dramatically changed. Aprilia Wsbk started the season very similar to DucatiGP, and have both faded a bit, why? How much would u factor this into yiur assessment? Meanwhile Wsbk Ducati and Honda seem to have ascended a bit, given van der Marks podium recently and Davies double at Laguna. Even J. Rae had a mixed bag with Honda. So who is to say it wont have a change? I personally believe from the comfort of my Lazy Boy that the Fireblade sucks, but im not the guy getting offers. Im sure Honda are not telling Nicky, hey our machine sucks bro. Hi Nicky, remember us? How are those championship Hondas doing sitting in your garage, the AMA one and the GP one? C'mon Nicky, lets try to get a Wsbk one.
As I understand he turned down Ducati big money to stay in GP. It's a tough decision either way, what would any of us do? Sometimes these offers come with plenty of persuasion tactics. Ive never obviously been in these situations but I personally know riders who have consternated in such situations at the AMA level, and I would be conflicted myself. It's NOT as simple as money versus competitive machine, as my friend Migs framed it. Just for a minute go back gentz and consider our own unkowns about the Honda Proddy racer, and the rumors that were persistent. Sure we had our opinions, but still reserved an element of doubt in our own beliefs. Consider yourself at the table, the offer coming with a bunch of lofty predictions and promises. How many riders tried the Ducati, were they all chasing money? Those who accepted the RCV-RS, were they all chasing money? (As if this is a bad thing when u consider the reality of the only 4 competitive machines, lets be honest.)
I know personally a friend who turned down a lower category Tech3 ride when he was very young and full of hope for the future. He had a host of "good" reasons. I often look back at that decision as possibly a missed opportunity. But at the time, Tech3 lower category appeared shambolic in terms of competitiveness. Yet we associate it as a top team in GP, well, it is, in MotoGP. But go back and read the threads here to when Smith was offered a ride in GP after what many of us considered unworthy results in Moto2? Based on those results he may have rotted in Moto2. But this turned out to be an exception, the question is, who knew?
If it were as clear as money versus competitive machine, it might be an easier decision. But often how it's not, and consider how much "value"'is assigned to the monetary part of that deal. We all for example consider the Kawasaki to be the top machine in Wsbk. So how much more money would be assigned as a "value" compensation for taking an Aprilia seat, a seat we consider less competitive than a Kawasaki? Now consider the same logic for an Aprilia versus Honda, how much real dollars is valued for a Honda then over an Aprilia? Seriously, give me a figure? Is the Aprilia worth $ 10,000, $50,000 $80,000 etc more over the Kawasaki because it is less competitive? See how it's not that easy?
Consider also the changes in fortunes, Kawasaki was costing Shane the championship when they used Mitsubishi electronics. Clearly the machine and rider were capable of fast laps, as he notched pole position like gang busters. Then during the race the tires became saw dust. Once they switched to Marelli, this dramatically changed. Aprilia Wsbk started the season very similar to DucatiGP, and have both faded a bit, why? How much would u factor this into yiur assessment? Meanwhile Wsbk Ducati and Honda seem to have ascended a bit, given van der Marks podium recently and Davies double at Laguna. Even J. Rae had a mixed bag with Honda. So who is to say it wont have a change? I personally believe from the comfort of my Lazy Boy that the Fireblade sucks, but im not the guy getting offers. Im sure Honda are not telling Nicky, hey our machine sucks bro. Hi Nicky, remember us? How are those championship Hondas doing sitting in your garage, the AMA one and the GP one? C'mon Nicky, lets try to get a Wsbk one.
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