Takaaki Nakagami

His racecraft seems to improve every race. It was only a few races ago he was going out too fast, and fading down the order (or falling off). He's not only fast, but he's turning into someone who can really handle the cut and thrust of mano a mano racing. If he continues improving, how good is he going to be next year?

Yep, he is really getting better each race. He definitely has the speed, I think if he can win one he will make a big step forward. Seems like a cool guy too, always good to see fast Japanese riders coming through.

I think he is going to be a talent to rival Marquez, if he stays in moto 2 he will be very hard to beat next year.

thedeal

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I think he is going to be a talent to rival Marquez, if he stays in moto 2 he will be very hard to beat next year.

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I think Takaaki is a great rider, but Rabat looks likely to be a strong challenger for the championship too.

AnnoyingTwit

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I think Takaaki is a great rider, but Rabat looks likely to be a strong challenger for the championship too.

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Rabat is fast no question but he seems very up and down. and Pol seems to be cracking under the pressure, if he thinks this is tough he is in for a shock when he gets in to tech 3

thedeal

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Rabat is fast no question but he seems very up and down. and Pol seems to be cracking under the pressure, if he thinks this is tough he is in for a shock when he gets in to tech 3

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Good point re: Pol.

The expectation will be Cal levels of performance.

Dr No

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Good point re: Pol.

The expectation will be Cal levels of performance.

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Agreed, despite what some say, Cal generally beats all the other sat bikes and Rossi, Pol does seem to have problems with stress, seeing as he was forced on Herve and they had to give up their favourite son Cal I think the expectation placed on him may be to much, though I may be wrong.

iirc Pol has a two-year deal directly with Yamaha, not Tech3? maybe they can relegate him after a year of nothingness to cruise around on a production racer?


 


ad topic: I'd like to see a 2014 battle between Takaaki who seems to have the fastest outright speed of all and Rabat who is fast and strategically smart. Add a solidified Kallio and maybe the Aspar guys to the mix and next season should be a nice one to follow

Dr No said:

Rabat is fast no question but he seems very up and down. and Pol seems to be cracking under the pressure, if he thinks this is tough he is in for a shock when he gets in to tech 3

Good point re: Pol.
The expectation will be Cal levels of performance.

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Pol will only be expected to beat Bradley. Frankly I dont think that will be a problem, hope im wrong. Though I will be cheering for Smith so I can further laff in the face of the League's facilitated promotees as well as the gullible saps who believe there is no soft conspiracy of Spanish-centric favoritism.

I like Takagami. But if it comes down to a competitive seat between him or Rabat, the Spaniard will get dibs. I dont know why the Jap factories dont help out their compatriots. Aoyama was fast but after he injured himself after his team made the insane decision not to use rider aids and a robust electronic system like the other Jap bikes were using resulted imo of ....... up his career. I hope Nakagami can get better treatment if and when he ever makes it to MotoGP.

Think the general consensus around both Nakagami and Rabat is positive. I like both guys. Naka really does seem to have the outright pace, but either lacks a bit of consistency or possibly ( and I am no expert ) suffers with set up problems which hinder him over race distance ???

He is on the cusp of a win, just needs to keep his head down and convert one of those poles to a win. He has become a very good rider, but I think he needs to dig a little bit deeper to get that 'killer instinct' to win (a la Redding).  Hope he stays in Moto2 for another year of seasoning and make a true run at the championship.  I don't think it would serve him well to move up to the Honda production racer in MotoGP next year.

eltoro

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He is on the cusp of a win, just needs to keep his head down and convert one of those poles to a win. He has become a very good rider, but I think he needs to dig a little bit deeper to get that 'killer instinct' to win (a la Redding). Hope he stays in Moto2 for another year of seasoning and make a true run at the championship. I don't think it would serve him well to move up to the Honda production racer in MotoGP next year.

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I agree

Jumkie

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Pol will only be expected to beat Bradley. Frankly I dont think that will be a problem, hope im wrong. Though I will be cheering for Smith so I can further laff in the face of the League's facilitated promotees as well as the gullible saps who believe there is no soft conspiracy of Spanish-centric favoritism. I like Takagami. But if it comes down to a competitive seat between him or Rabat, the Spaniard will get dibs. I dont know why the Jap factories dont help out their compatriots. Aoyama was fast but after he injured himself after his team made the insane decision not to use rider aids and a robust electronic system like the other Jap bikes were using resulted imo of ....... up his career. I hope Nakagami can get better treatment if and when he ever makes it to MotoGP.

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Expected by his team, by the fans...or by us on PS??


Pol has replaced a top 4 rider capable of poles and podiums. The expectation will be there, even though in fairness it should rest on Bradders who will have a year of experience to back him up.


 


TakaNaka seems like one of those riders for whom a first win will start opening the gates. Redding is having a standout year so TakaNaka is having to work hard to make it happen. Then again, I also want Redding to absolutely waste the Moto2 field, just to bring into stark relief the difference in the ways riders enter MotoGP. (Are we now to cross our fingers that the Proddy RCV is a weapon? Here's hoping that the 2014 M1 and RCVs are decently matched)


 


Finally, as for Takaaki:  I too, hope that when/if he takes the step up to MotoGP there's a competitive bike available.

Willski

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Think the general consensus around both Nakagami and Rabat is positive. I like both guys. Naka really does seem to have the outright pace, but either lacks a bit of consistency or possibly ( and I am no expert ) suffers with set up problems which hinder him over race distance ???

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My impression is that he is still learning tyre management. He's had speed for a while. And it's now clear he has racecraft as well!