Phillip Island Race 1&2

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ah, I couldn't remember, since I alway lump you in as a Scandinavian. I dated a Finn once, so I know better than to lump you all in as simply Scandies.

Anyway, I also meant to congrats the Stiggy for providing Haslam's ride. Which in both cases of West & Haslam, it really looked like the riders squeezing every ounce of juice out of their machines. Two podiums against a field of factories is like a win I think...or am I erroneously attaching a resident element of MotoGP on to WSBK and by doing so doing the series a disservice?
The difference to MotoGP is substantial but comparing privat teams of that sort to privat teams in MotoGP is fair enough. There are major differences but their difficulties are very similar, but maybe on a slightly different level.
To go out there without factory support in WSBK are commonly regarded as a waste of time. Succeeding doing so even in the first race are sensational.
Team stiggy look a lot like Ten Kate some 10 years ago, except that they are allready in SBK. Ten Kate build their reputation on non factory supported SS-bikes.

wow!.... some outstanding racing to start the season off with! saw race 1 sunday & was bummed to see spies dirt trackin so early on through no fault of his own. oh well i guess you gotta pay ya dues so he got that out of the way. the race was excellent none the less & i think this should be hagas year & i hope so anyway cause he's way over due. but it's far to early to say that with any confidence. max n. gave him a hell of a run for his money & grabbed a fine 2nd with suzuki grabbin 3rd as well. race 2 i just finished watching (thanks for the link jumkie) & should silence the critics with spies impressive victory having to fight for it almost all the way to the end with none other than haga & biaggi. he road a very smart race trying to break away early & unable to do so. gettig passed by haga following him around studying trying again no dice but the third time was the charm having preserved his tires better than haga. the race for 3rd was brilliant with haslam grabbing the spot... excellent stuff. this is gonna be a crackin season! i have not watched the ss race but it seems it was a real corker!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Mar 2 2009, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually,Nicky beat Mladin like a borrowed mule. Spies beat an older Mladin 3 times by a hair.. I like them both and would pay big money to see them square off right now.
Nicky beat Mladin when the RC51 was the strongest Superbike in the world, 750s were getting thumped in WSBK, the only guys on 750s who could win in the states were Mladin and EBoz, and Mladin fell off more than ever. Not trying to take anything away from Hayden but I think Spies' resume is far more impressive at the time of leaving the states, regardless of him being three years older than when Hayden left.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nicky beat Mladin when the RC51 was the strongest Superbike in the world, 750s were getting thumped in WSBK, the only guys on 750s who could win in the states were Mladin and EBoz, and Mladin fell off more than ever. Not trying to take anything away from Hayden but I think Spies' resume is far more impressive at the time of leaving the states, regardless of him being three years older than when Hayden left.

Good point, Spies and Mladin were on the same team and same bike these past few years. Oh wait, Mladin ran a different crankshaft didn't he?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nicky beat Mladin when the RC51 was the strongest Superbike in the world, 750s were getting thumped in WSBK, the only guys on 750s who could win in the states were Mladin and EBoz, and Mladin fell off more than ever. Not trying to take anything away from Hayden but I think Spies' resume is far more impressive at the time of leaving the states, regardless of him being three years older than when Hayden left.

Like i said, I like them both, and Spies resume is much better but,he stayed around longer than Nicky, and was older.Nicky is still the youngest Superbike champion ever and almost pulled it off a year earlier than that in his Rookie season.The second half of that season is when everybody that saw him race knew he was special on a Superbike.Had he stayed around,his resume would no doubt match Spies. Remember,Jake Zemke and Miguel won a bunch of races on the CBR1000rr when HRC was supplying the bikes,Nicky would have been just fine,since he is considerably faster than either of those guys.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Mar 2 2009, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Like i said, I like them both, and Spies resume is much better but,he stayed around longer than Nicky, and was older.Nicky is still the youngest Superbike champion ever and almost pulled it off a year earlier than that in his Rookie season.The second half of that season is when everybody that saw him race knew he was special on a Superbike.Had he stayed around,his resume would no doubt match Spies. Remember,Jake Zemke and Miguel won a bunch of races on the CBR1000rr when HRC was supplying the bikes,Nicky would have been just fine,since he is considerably faster than either of those guys.
Yeah, sorry I forgot to end my post. I cheer for Spies because he's a yank but he's not one of my favorite riders. And yes, had Hayden stuck around for another two seasons then his resume would have been about the same as Spies'. Hayden did have the prodigy label though, and I was there to witness his first SBK win and his first double at Road America in 2000. He's a special SBK rider, I'd really like to see him against Spies in WSBK in a couple of years.

And I stand by my opinion that Jake Zemke is the most underrated rider in the states.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not trying to take anything away from Hayden but I think Spies' resume is far more impressive at the time of leaving the states, regardless of him being three years older than when Hayden left.
Well you're doing a good job of trying to" take something away."

Where might Spies be had he left after year one to MotoGP or WSBK? Don't know myself, but I can speculate a bit. You think he would have had the same success as he did out the box? Spies become the rider he is today because he stayed to season his craft with Mladin. Those three years means allot of developing and hardening for the young Spies, where as Nicky went straight to the wolves. (Who knows how many spankings he would have done on Mladin had he stayed, eh).

Also, perhaps you forgot, but Nicky came a close runner up the year before he won the superbike title against Mladin. That year the Honda had its issues. Yosh Suzuki was the team to beat, has been for a while, even when Nicky beat him. Oh, and when he did, may I remind you, he was the youngest champ to do so. I suppose Nicky could have stuck around a few more year, perhaps it would have done him some good. But I can tell you, I do think it did Spies some good. He looked like a season vet out there, and as I saw him hold his composure against Haga, my thoughts went to the many times him and Mladin scrapped. Something of a benefit from staying the three years, eh.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, sorry I forgot to end my post. I cheer for Spies because he's a yank but he's not one of my favorite riders. And yes, had Hayden stuck around for another two seasons then his resume would have been about the same as Spies'. Hayden did have the prodigy label though, and I was there to witness his first SBK win and his first double at Road America in 2000. He's a special SBK rider, I'd really like to see him against Spies in WSBK in a couple of years.

And I stand by my opinion that Jake Zemke is the most underrated rider in the states.

Ooops, didn't read your subsequent post. So we agree then.

Great post Ooster.

Zemke!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bootsakah @ Mar 2 2009, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good point, Spies and Mladin were on the same team and same bike these past few years. Oh wait, Mladin ran a different crankshaft didn't he?


Errrr. Povol is gonna get you!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Mar 2 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>To go out there without factory support in WSBK are commonly regarded as a waste of time.

You think so? Here in the States, teams keep track of the best true privateers. They are the ones that finish mid pack, but then are promoted to satellites or factories when they show that they can beat the other privateer efforts with similar equipment. I'd think they wouldn't be wasting their time at all.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Where might Spies be had he left after year one to MotoGP or WSBK? Don't know myself, but I can speculate a bit. You think he would have had the same success as he did out the box? Spies become the rider he is today because he stayed to season his craft with Mladin. Those three years means allot of developing and hardening for the young Spies, where as Nicky went straight to the wolves. (Who knows how many spankings he would have done on Mladin had he stayed, eh).
Spending two additional years fighting Mladin has done Spies a world of good and it's probably something that could have prepared Hayden a bit more as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Also, perhaps you forgot, but Nicky came a close runner up the year before he won the superbike title against Mladin. That year the Honda had its issues. Yosh Suzuki was the team to beat, has been for a while, even when Nicky beat him. Oh, and when he did, may I remind you, he was the youngest champ to do so. I suppose Nicky could have stuck around a few more year, perhaps it would have done him some good. But I can tell you, I do think it did Spies some good. He looked like a season vet out there, and as I saw him hold his composure against Haga, my thoughts went to the many times him and Mladin scrapped. Something of a benefit from staying the three years, eh.
Hayden came third in 2001, runner up in 2000.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Zemke!
Agreed.

This photo deserves to be here -

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 2 2009, 04:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Lastly, I'm a fan of Max. No not that Max...but Max the German (I can't remember how to spell his last name, so I'll just call him Max the German). This guys is nails, and man is he gracious. Did anybody catch his podium interview. Most of it was praise for the other guys. This is the type of human being I like, humble, gracious, and backs it up with talent.

i'm with you on this one jumkie! i also agree in part with what lex says about him needing to be a bit more forceful..
IMO he is not really suited to WSB and could be a better gp rider. only problem is his lanky frame wont fit an 800. i would be curious to see how he would go on an 800 though...wonder if there are any wildcard rides planned by anybody this year?

Briliant meeting. -Again WSS proves itself to be the most entertaining series in the world, cracking race.

I remember OJ saying when he came back to Moto GP on the Kwak, how overwhelmingly fast it seemed and how you had to recallibrate your brain after a year out. Just being away over the brief off season, I eagerly turn on for all new Superpole and witness one of the first shots of Rea hurtling down the Gardner straight and feel the same way. You forget how spectacularly quick these guys actually are at this level.

Spies? ...no surprise really, we all know how talented he is. Sykesy meantime will only get faster.

So many great rides throughout the weekend, and how brave was Neukirchner pinning it through The Hayshed on shot tyres the last few laps of Race 1?

Disappointing showing from Shakey after promising pre season form.

How sorted is the new Aprilia RSV4? - sweet looking bike.

Apparently the Ten Kate squad (including Kiyo) rented houses for the week in nearby Cowes...Ryuichi ended up sharing digs with none other than Kenan Sofluogu - So it would seem it Xuas wasn't the only one to rear end him this weekend

great races good to see the nzbs n the torrents about lol

So let me get this straight, WSBK has been one of the most anticipated racing series in the world this year, with the US Supervike chapion entered, and an apparently well run US event returning to the schedule, and they don't arrange to get a good TV package in the States?

Great ....... job guys...bravo...

Last year I waited until Tuesday and could watch all the races on the web site. I can't do that now. Possibly the best series on the planet is off limits to me now.

....... GREAT.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Mar 3 2009, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So let me get this straight, WSBK has been one of the most anticipated racing series in the world this year, with the US Supervike chapion entered, and an apparently well run US event returning to the schedule, and they don't arrange to get a good TV package in the States?

Great ....... job guys...bravo...

Last year I waited until Tuesday and could watch all the races on the web site. I can't do that now. Possibly the best series on the planet is off limits to me now.

....... GREAT.

I FEEL YOUR PAIN HOMBRE!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Mar 4 2009, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So let me get this straight, WSBK has been one of the most anticipated racing series in the world this year, with the US Supervike chapion entered, and an apparently well run US event returning to the schedule, and they don't arrange to get a good TV package in the States?

Great ....... job guys...bravo...

Last year I waited until Tuesday and could watch all the races on the web site. I can't do that now. Possibly the best series on the planet is off limits to me now.

....... GREAT.

The torrents are your friends

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Mar 2 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I cheer for Spies because he's a yank



Brits can get away with calling Texans "yanks" b/c Brits live all alone on an island that is sealed off from the rest of the universe, but you have no excuses.

Derogatory names like "yank" are reserved for the people who live east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 4 2009, 11:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>

Brits can get away with calling Texans "yanks" b/c Brits live all alone on an island that is sealed off from the rest of the universe, but you have no excuses.

Derogatory names like "yank" are reserved for the people who live east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon.
All right to call you a seppo then?

Ok, this is my first post. I know, I've been trolling for a while now. I have to say that SBK was great. Spies is fast, always knew it, now he's proving it. Good to see a yank go across the pond and kick some .... Anybody that can take that kind of pressure and keep his cool is a hell of a rider in my book. I think yamaha made the right desision on him and I belive they saw his potitial in GP and signed him for SBK. Also, where the hell was the other yamaha ???