Silly Season 2012

Zootalaws said:

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Wrong how? You were the one that stated a desire for a team based on nationality, not me. All I did was ask for your reasons.



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There is only one GP world champion and that was many, many years ago. The last six years have not been kind to Hayden, despite his riding race-winning kit. How long do you persist with a rider that isn't delivering? People are writing off Rossi after only twenty-six races, yet he has performed better than his team-mate who has more than 60 races on that marque.



Spies has consistently been beaten by satellite bikes and rookie riders - while riding championship-winning bikes for a top factory team. Again, how long should they persist with that - six years?



This is degenerating - you stated that Tech3 should get Spies and Hayden - I asked why, because in my opinion, on form, they don't deserve the ride.



Really that is the be all and end all of my position. I have nothing against either rider or yourself, just don't think that Poncheral would be making the right decision if he employed either of them.



This is a young mans game, it's time Hayden moved over and let some up and coming young gun have a go. He has talent and he may have the fire/desire, but I don't think he has what it takes, any more.



Spies needs to either sort his head out or accept that GP racing isn't for him - he wouldn't be the first that let his personal life affect his professional and he won't be the last. Probably the best racer in the paddock is doing exactly that and will be retiring in ten races time.



I have been pretty vocal about supporting Spies, at least up until about race six of this year, that's when the excuses ran out. I can understand mechanical failures, weather, equipment malfunctions, but what else is he going to come out with? Why isn't his team-mate suffering the same issues? They are on the same kit in the same team.



Sorry, it's put-up-or-shut-up time and if he fails as a factory Yamaha rider, I don't see there's a place for him at another team. The buck needs to stop with him.

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Goatboy said:

You seemed to be alleging that I was an American & as such was only interested in suggesting them for the ride because of that. When in reality I think a change for both of them would allow them to flourish.

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Zootalaws said:

Sorry, not what I meant at all.



but I disagree - Spies did OK at Tech3, but what do they have to offer that Yamaha don't? Less pressure? Better crew? If that's the case, Lin Jarvis needs to seriously have a look at what is causing Spies to fail.



As I previously said, he is the other Alien, he has shown he has the goods - just too rarely. Something is causing him to falter. Some have said it is Houseworth, I'm not convinced. A crew chief is like a priest, engineer, manager, confidante, mate, rolled into one. He motivates the team and tries to focus on the key issues that the rider needs to go fast. He has a long career in doing this and while it hasn't been in GP, there is little difference in the mechanics of the job between AMA, WSBK and MotoGP. Crew chiefs have moved about from one to the other before.



I think the problem is with Ben. Perhaps he has finally met his match and it's taking its toll? He has realised that he just isn't the fastest guy on two wheels and it has come with a price.



The GP guys have been racing each other their whole careers - Spies won pretty much everything he ever tried - until he got to the show. It may be as simple as that - his motivation is shattered because he knows, deep down, that there are better riders out there.



I know it knocked me for a six

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Goatboy said:

Pete you ....... if you think back you will remember that I come from stinking ....... Saltcoats. It was not a dig at you my countryman.

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But Rossi will have whatever he chooses -- he is bigger than the championship itself in Europe and Dorna knows that.

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stiefel said:

Running Buells?

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steeeeeve said:

Try picking up ladies in a lesbian bar for a few days. after that, picking up chicks in the straight bar is a piece of cake.

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Goatboy said:

A random person just said to me "Isn't it possible for Phillip Morris to sponsor two Moto GP teams?" In reference to Yamaha stealing Ducati's funds. & You know something, they were right, it is. The cancer funds are almost bottomless.

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Goatboy said:

A random person just said to me "Isn't it possible for Phillip Morris to sponsor two Moto GP teams?" In reference to Yamaha stealing Ducati's funds. & You know something, they were right, it is. The cancer funds are almost bottomless.

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michaelm said:

The problem is not the funds, but the legality or practicality of getting promotional value for them. As someone has argued the problem for marlboro would be re-establishing a link between yamaha and them, given that legally they can't really mention it, in europe anyway, and even changing the livery would probably be questioned, as opposed to the established link with ducati and their convenient traditional colour; even references to the ducati link have become increasingly subliminal.

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Goatboy said:

& Yet despite the advertising being subliminal they are still happy to hand over the cash. Japanese/Yamaha racing colours happen to be red & white as I'm sure you know, quite lucky that, & with a bit of creativity in design...

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