We will differ in our views of whether this is a large backpedal (your view) or simply a person admitting that his decision may have been hasty and who is now confident in that he is receiving information from trusted sources and as such is revisiting his original statements (my view). We will never agree on the gravity just as we will not on many things but for me it is not a major backpedal (in what I would term one - save those for political issues) but is for me a welcome admission irrespective of pressure applied or not.
With regard to Japanese customs I will agree, they should have known better as the Japanese are a proud nation with respects to this type of issue (at least from mt outside looking in view), but the converse is that should they be borne to adhere to those same customs is they disagree? I say no, if they do not agree thence their should be no obligation on them to follow the customs, but certainly they should be courteous to the same people and (IMO) bot were courteous to the Japanese, just maybe not to DORNA.
The final highlighted section I will agree with in as much as a reasoned comment early on would have been a preferred solution, but no doubt that is (in their respective opinions) what they gave, although I would call it an emotive response and would say it was understandable. But yes, in retrospect a different original response would have been better, and I find it interesting that CS now revisiting based upon what is said to be more 'trustworthy' information is being so widely ridiculed in a number of circles (not just here).
Yes Kropo has been somewhat scathing certainly but he has also stated that he sees it more to be caused by an uneducated response to a situation, no more, nothing sinister or ego driven but just a group of men whom may be somewhat manipulated by members of the paddock to have made a poor initial choice and reaction. He also stated on numerous occasions that he fully expected calmer heads to rule and as he usually is (inside knowledge is a wondrous thing) he has proven correct .
I have no problems with teh 'support Japan' sticker on their bikes purely because I support our Troops when deployed, but taht does not mean I wish to be there where they are (yes, I do have a yellow streak in my body). So I see no issues with the stickers and yes I am aware that Jums and many others do (including Kropo) and I have no opposition to their view at all.
With regards to other riders you may well be forgetting the numerous reports that all riders in MotoGP with the exception of Aoyama expressed hesitancy at attending the Motegi round when this first surfaced.
The issue and why is seems focused on JL and CS more than the other riders is that these two were the 'public' face and answered questions in a tactless manner, although I do not for one minute believe that these are the only two with those personal views (as opposed to team views). I am sure Kropo can add more in this aspect as he has reported a few times that the initial reaction from all riders (excepting Aoyama) was negative towards the race going ahead (levels of negativity may not have all been of the JL/CS level).
To date from what I have seen/read JL has not backed down in any way, and CS has not indicted that he would attend but stated that he has softened his stance based on information he received from people he trusted. Yes, no doubt there is likely great pressure from their employers as there would be on all of these riders to attend this round, and yes this would have been greater on CS/JL given their respective championship positions but I am not fully convinced that it is the only reason for the change, yes a large one but not the only reason.
Either way, the race will go ahead regardless of the presence of these riders because DORNA need the race to go ahead (IMO) and whether these riders attend is yet to be confirmed. If they go, well and good and I will be seriously interested to see how JL/CS and others react in terms of arriving at the circuits for the weekend, leaving the circuit etc.
Additionally I am interested to see how the attendance goes for the weekend as well as how the respective teams approach the weekend in terms of staffing levels, who does not attend etc. I actually think it will be an interesting view into the real and true movers and shakers in the paddock.
Gaz
