<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Sep 17 2008, 12:26 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Spies has been granted an opportunity available to so few and in fairness has grabbed the opportunity and given a
very good account of himself. IMO, given that two of those
rides were 'home town' it does not indicate that he 'must' or 'should' be on a MotoGP bike, but it does indicate that he is deserving of an opportunity.
Beating his team-mates in these rides also does not show that he is necessarily 'better' as they were on
tracks familiar to him, but again, the signs are positive.
I personally feel that his decision not to ride at Assen (irrespective of our personal views) is
seen by some in the paddock as a negative and a potential flaw in his psyche and approach to racing. This I feel is leading to much of the hesitancy as is the rumoured asking price which is astronomical by MotoGP rookie terms.
I do not necessarily believe that Spies is the 'next big thing' as
I have not seen enough of him (lack of coverage in Oz) and would say that he is but one of a number of supremely talented motorcycle racers across the world deserving of the chance to ride a MotoGP machine. He has had this chance and acquitted himself well which is an opportunity that has not been afforded to others (thus far) so it (IMO) is very safe to say that the
market forces are also at play.
The big question that really does enter my mind is whether he really (and I mean really) wants MotoGP (
a question, not a judgement) or whether he is merely 'playing' to increase his marketability within the US.
If he does get the chance (and personally, I suspect that he will) then no doubt he will do well as he has done to date. But, if the chance comes
I also hope that he is not seen as the 'messiah' and is allowed to develop and grow into the sport by the American and world public.
Hi Garry, I have several issues with your posts. I feel compelled to respond since we have some likely people to agree with some of the subtle suggestions you made in your post. You give the guy credit for very good showings, but then condition it by saying they were "home town" rides. Ok, lets examine this, you left out some very important and relevant facts in your suggestion that he had an advantage at “home”. First off, his two teammates are very familiar and favor Laguna. Vermuelen has even won there while in WSBK, and has always done well as he seems to understand and like the track. You may recall he podium there this year. Capirossi is also familiar with Laguna, who has been racing there since MotoGP came to town again. Neither of the three comes to Laguna more than once a year, and they come at the same time! (AMA and MotoGP weekend have been at the same event). With the exception of last year only, which the AMA came for a second time in the history of the series during one season, but if you look it up, you will see that Capi & Vermi have been there about as much in race condition as has been Spies. However, one important difference, Capi & Vermi have been there on MotoGP machines, UNLIKE Spies; an important detail that cannot be under-estimated. So actually, Vermeulen has had extensive experience at Laguna, and so have Capirossi.
Now lets take a look at the idea that Indy is a “home track”, well, Indy is new. It did not exist up until a few months ago! So none have actually had race experience there until this weekend! Oh, but you'll say Spies got to test there. Yes, this is true; now tell me, how much testing have Vermi & Capi done at Donnington? A hell of a lot more than Spies. How much testing of tires and machine set up have Capi & Vermi had the benefit of coming to grips with compared to Spies? Ah, when you add up these details, a “home town” advantage doesn’t really mean anything except that the physical track in the United States. Just as easily, that track could have been on the moon, and STILL his teammates should have beat him considering.
Ok, now lets look at a more important relevant fact. How much experience has Vermi and Capi had on the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP machine compared to Spies? Ah, so you lets revisit this idea of a “home track”; but nobody has ever really raced there until this weekend! And as you know, racing is infinitely different than testing, and his two teammates come with years of experience on the bikes (Vermi several years, and Capi an entire season, not to mention preseason). Now shall we talk about who has the experience on Bridgestones? The AMA uses Dunlops. People gave the great Rossi a pass for learning the Bridgestones after all the preseason testing and a few races to begin the series, and now some people are giving Pedrosa a pass for being unfamiliar with the Bstones (despite his testing them too). Now we have Spies, fresh off of Dunlops on a Superbike machine, going to Bstones on a MotoGP machine. I ask you Gary, who has the greater task to adjust?
So I agree, a race here and there does not say he is better or worse than his teammates, but it sure says more toward there NOT being much of a difference between them; and that says MUCH.
His decision not to ride at Assen seems to have ruffled the feathers on ONE man; Paul Denning. So lets not go questioning his mental strength shall we. Afterall, as you said, perhaps you are not aware of the battle he has had here in the AMA to earn those three championships, but if you google it, you will see that the results have been close between him and Mat Mladin (a rider only beaten by the short list of Spies & Hayden in the last 10 years, one of which became a WC). And while on the subject of Denning, it was this guy who was the major reason why Hopkins moved to Kawasaki. So from my perspective, Denning is a bit of a character and perhaps not as workable and wise as we may think. Now the damage has been that people question Spies "psyche" as you say, but this has all come from Denning's adverse reaction. So may I question Paul Denning's character and insinuate that the man is a poor team leader, arrogant and hasty? Why not? Afterall, Suzuki as a brand has NOT achieved much under his leadership, and this episode seems to indicate he hasn't improved.
You said your question about wondering if Spies wants to move up to GP is not a judgment, with all due respect (as you know, I admire your posts) but I think you insinuated the ladder with the inflexion as you put it; "I mean does he really" or does he want to increase his marketability in the US. These are fair questions of course, but difficult to pull off without revealing your personal inclinations questioning his integrity. Well, perhaps you haven't heard, but the AMA is in crisis. Most riders are looking to Europe. (Josh Hayes two times Formula Extreme champion has just signed to ride in WSS, as an indication that American riders are looking away from the AMA). I think Spies is trying to do the same as there is very little stability for marketing yourself in the US (as you suggest). Quiet the opposite is true at the moment, and I think Spies' excellent wild cards reflect not only an outstanding talent, but also an attempt to impress international series by his results. So you may want to couple this into your question does he “really really” want to ride in MotoGP.
I agree, that he may be asking for too much. But then again, who among us would negotiate DOWN a prospective contract? Now couple this with the fact that he has won Suzuki 3 very coveted titles and has surely been a marketing boom for the brand here in the US (Suzuki sells a lot here). But again, it seems that Suzuki-America (as was the case for Honda-America) appreciate their riders much more than their international counterparts. It seems odd that Suzuki MotoGP would have signed Vermi and Capi before they even saw what Spies would achieve at Indy. Can you imagine the PR nightmare if he would have won? Turns out he did outstanding, 6th place is very good at a NEW track for EVERYBODY in a race. This cannot be understated or spinned away as have other wild card entries. But of course the attempt is there to spin it that it was a "home town" track, but nothing is further from the truth (Gary, others have tried to spin it this way too). But if its gonna be spun, then lets also include the plethora of experience his teammates had on the factory machine and on the all important tires.
Now as to your last point. I have seen this said before, as if Spies is touted the second coming to sliced bread, but usually this suggestion comes from outsiders having a problem with it. No, people here are NOT saying he is the next Rossi. Simply because his name comes up as a no-brainer deserving rider that has EARNED a chance at a full ride in MotoGP, people get the impression we think he is the "Messiah". This insinuation only serves to downplay his deserving look at a ride in the class. But in reality, it is IRRELEVANT what some fans think of a particular rider (so why include this in the debate). If I think Jake Zemke is the best rider in the AMA, who the hell cares what I think? The proof is in the pudding as they say. Well then, we have a few full time riders in MotoGP that never won a 250 title, and some that did, both have been afforded looks, while you have a young three time AMA superbike title holder seemingly being etched out because some fool named Paul Denning got his feelings hurt because Spies didn’t save his ss by trying to get him rushed to step into a slot after Denning ...... up by letting an injured unhealed rider (Capi) screw himself up more in an ill-fated attempt to rush him into a race? I say, Denning's wisdom and decision-making ability should be question here, 2nd to Spies. Perhaps you should add this into your points list.
Anyway Garry, these are my several cents on the matter. Perhaps we will know soon enough. But I'm calling it now, if they don't sign the kid, its NOT market playing itself out, but Politics as usual. Good day sir.
