I agree, with the caveat that generational talents come out of nowhere. MM suddenly burst on the scene in 2010, and was winning the MotoGP title in 2013.
Sure, absolutely. My point was more that the known current young talent possibly in line for a future Rossi team doesn’t look like that sort of talent. Everyone knew MM and Rossi himself were coming from fairly early on in their 125 days. I guess one of the young guys could be a Casey Stoner level talent since his was not quite as obvious before he got on a big bike.
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I think that Jorge Martin has real promise. Even last season he was a pole-machine. He had a really debilitating heel (I think) injury that played merry hell with that season too.
Now he has a modicum of fitness he is showing the race pace to back up his poles. I am not saying he is the new Casey/Vale/Marc, but he could make it to the big class and be up there, (IMO of course).
Also he comes across really well on TV when interviewed, not that this has anything to do with his ability to win races, but a media friendly rider is always a bonus.
Now he has a modicum of fitness he is showing the race pace to back up his poles. I am not saying he is the new Casey/Vale/Marc, but he could make it to the big class and be up there, (IMO of course).
Also he comes across really well on TV when interviewed, not that this has anything to do with his ability to win races, but a media friendly rider is always a bonus.
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Joined Jun 2018
143 Posts | 97+
New York
I believe MM will adapt and overcome any flaws the new standardized IMU reveals. His ability can overcome electronics.
I also believe Rossi is not yet finished. Second in the standings at 39 years of age and consistently on the podium. You cannot deny his talent. I believe the old boy has a few 1st place finishes left in him before he rides off to team management.
On that subject...He has made enough money for Yamaha and put them in the spotlight to the extent that he can dictate terms to them. If these machinations are self serving, so be it. It isn't anything new in motorsport.
I also believe Rossi is not yet finished. Second in the standings at 39 years of age and consistently on the podium. You cannot deny his talent. I believe the old boy has a few 1st place finishes left in him before he rides off to team management.
On that subject...He has made enough money for Yamaha and put them in the spotlight to the extent that he can dictate terms to them. If these machinations are self serving, so be it. It isn't anything new in motorsport.
Now that, Sir, is a quality balanced post. But it does raise the question of where will Vale win? We discussed it earlier this season, but that was in relation to the end of 2018.
He is always in with a shout at Assen, but for me the biggest thing is for Yam' to sort out the acceleration Gremlin. Solve that and Qatar+Mugello are back on the cards.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
Yamaha MotoGP effort needs a big overhaul, one way or the other. They will not fire Lin Jarvis, he has done well for many years so he is going to be 'promoted' to some other position.
Poncharal left because Yamaha told him that between him and VR46, they preferred VR46 which as a team is all but ready with AGV and Dainese and another important sponsor tied to Rossi, besides Sky and Monster. Look out also for a possible big surprise as Jarvis' replacement: even Suppo's name is being made.
Young talents always keep coming, Mir and Martin and Bagnaia are already in the pipeline and others will emerge. I personally would bet on Mir as the next big thing in MotoGP and believe he'll end up at Yamaha before long.
Poncharal left because Yamaha told him that between him and VR46, they preferred VR46 which as a team is all but ready with AGV and Dainese and another important sponsor tied to Rossi, besides Sky and Monster. Look out also for a possible big surprise as Jarvis' replacement: even Suppo's name is being made.
Young talents always keep coming, Mir and Martin and Bagnaia are already in the pipeline and others will emerge. I personally would bet on Mir as the next big thing in MotoGP and believe he'll end up at Yamaha before long.
But if Suzuki fully loose their concessions, do you think Mir will have enough bike underneath him to make an impression?
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Herve wouldn’t have needed to be told. He is an astute operator, and he is closing on retirement age and likely wanted both to cash in to some extent and set up his team to continue after him.
My criticism of Yamaha, and hence of Jarvis if it was down to him, is of the seeming lack of any interim plan.
Mir may well be very good, but I don’t see him
Or anyone else as MM or Valentino level talents, and the talent of those two was apparent when they were teenagers.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
100% agree , blaming Jarvis for the satellite fiasco is on Yamaha. They are the ones who made it clear that Hervé would be booted to the curb to accomadate Rossi and to his credit he went out and found another deal. I would say it was Yamaha to blame as well for Zarco getting away.
Joined Jun 2018
143 Posts | 97+
New York
Zarco let the LeMans crash drag him so far down that he hasn't been able to rebound. Expectations were high, perhaps too high and unrealistic. He believed his own hype. I believe he can come back from this, but he has got to let it go and just race!
Joined Jun 2018
143 Posts | 97+
New York
Assen and Mugello come to mind, as you mentioned. His consistency could see him in the top spot at the end of '18 with a MM DNF or two.
Agreed. He needs a bit of Philip Island medicine to get him back on it again.
It's amazing the restorative properties that a bike-focused track can have.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
This kid had been laser focused on bikes since puberty. Now all of a sudden he has someone n his ear saying I need you to spend time with me, or this guy Fallon is taking advantage of you ,etc etc. On top of that you’re getting laid on a constant basis and like the article says , it only takes losing a tenth to go from hero to zero.
Joined Jun 2008
1K Posts | 365+
USA