Team Roberts to remain in MotoGP in 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JohnnyKnockdown @ Oct 8 2007, 02:58 AM) [snapback]94228[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Ant West would be elated to see he has such a open minded articulate fan.
Here's a guy that believes that some lifetime, middle of the pack running racer that beat a couple of teenagers in a wet supersport race suddenly has the ability be a world champion at the highest level of racing.
On top of that he's riding a Kawasaki who knows about as much about winning a Moto Gp championship as Australia knows how to breed an attractive female.


Ant west is a big hearted trier who may well have more potential than has previously been apparent but I would agree that it might be a good idea to wait until he actually achieves something before making extravagant claims. Hayden was the 2006 world champion and beat both rossi and pedrosa.

As for the aussie women thing, you don't like rose byrne( the slave girl brad pitt's character fell for in the movie troy), cate blanchett or naomi watts? I guess tastes differ between countries.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Oct 7 2007, 10:45 AM) [snapback]94133[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
im starting to think that dorna dont spend to much time thinking, i mean, bringing in 2 major rule changes in the same season was daft. mabe they thought it would help teams like kr and tech3 but imo this year was a weird season, be honest, who here would have bet there hard earned that stoner and duc would win and the jap big 4 would get it so wrong, because of this i think dorna should now leave everything alone for at least 1 more season.


I agree with both points; it was stupid to change both rules and things are likely to sort themselves out by next year without any further changes and may already have done so going on the last 2 races.

I agree with those who like the idea of motogp remaining a purist prototype formula as much as possible, but dorna are a commercial organisation and I guess you can't blame them for being concerned if the tv ratings and hence potentially their income are dropping precipitously. However, they surely must develop some plan other than riding on the back of valentino's popularity, as he is going to retire some time and his combination of talent and charisma may well be unique. As somebody said, are they planning to use rossi masks?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Oct 7 2007, 08:26 AM) [snapback]94098[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
And they still ...... him and designed the bike around Peders (fact), and guess what, the bike was .... for most of the season! How’s that for irony?
The Hobbit has actually riden better on the alleged Shte bike than Hayden all season. Dani finished inside top five 11 times including a win this season, Hayden has finished 5 times inside the top five with no wins. Melandri 8 times in top five with no wins, and even Elias has has 3 times in the top five with 2 podiums.

I'm thinking the bike ain't as shte as you want it to be...maybe Nicky is a limiting factor.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 7 2007, 08:56 AM) [snapback]94107[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Make all the excuses u want, Hayden lucked into a title last year and this year has been exposed as the fraud that he is.. Pedrosa is third in the championship, Hayden is not even in the top five, sorry thats not good enough..
So true!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JohnnyKnockdown @ Oct 8 2007, 05:13 AM) [snapback]94239[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Comon MYLEX, What would you know about hot women? You're from Texas

Steers and Queers come from Texas...YOU got some horns MyLex?...Didn't think so!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 7 2007, 06:06 PM) [snapback]94219[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Yay, me and Rog agree for once

Hate makes strange bedfellows.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JohnnyKnockdown @ Oct 7 2007, 07:58 PM) [snapback]94228[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Ant West would be elated to see he has such a open minded articulate fan.
Here's a guy that believes that some lifetime, middle of the pack running racer that beat a couple of teenagers in a wet supersport race suddenly has the ability be a world champion at the highest level of racing.
On top of that he's riding a Kawasaki who knows about as much about winning a Moto Gp championship as Australia knows how to breed an attractive female.
We have all got it wrong. Here we are looking for the latest talent in young kids while it seems that 26 year old rookies are the way of the future. I'm sure HRC is kicking themselves for overlooking this diamond in the rough.
AntFan has the uncanny ability to see what most paddocks and fans have not. I guess all that blinding ability has blinded him to the fact only Ant West has a future in Moto Gp and that all other riders are classless losers.
Such an optimistic way to watch a a sport that most of us watch for the pure love of it.
I guess every loser has at least 1 fan I'm just wondering who is Antfans?


I'm starting to agree with Tom about this guy.

I dont hate anyone, I was happy for Hayden to win the title last year..

But, what i cant stand is you trying to make out that Hayden has had a rough time of things, he's been in the best team on the best bike for the last five years (or whatever it is) and, as has been mentioned earlier, only won three races..

Even Hopkins and Edwards on the "Doctor, Kentucky Kid etc." dvd said, he hadn't done enough on that bike and with that team, considering what had been done with it in the past, to justify the length that he had aboard it..

You call me biased but im seeing things for how they are.. You need to open your other eye and realise, Hayden has had nothing but golden opportunities handed his way throughout his MotoGP career, so deal with it..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 9 2007, 12:53 AM) [snapback]94366[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I dont hate anyone, I was happy for Hayden to win the title last year..

But, what i cant stand is you trying to make out that Hayden has had a rough time of things, he's been in the best team on the best bike for the last five years (or whatever it is) and, as has been mentioned earlier, only won three races..

Even Hopkins and Edwards on the "Doctor, Kentucky Kid etc." dvd said, he hadn't done enough on that bike and with that team, considering what had been done with it in the past, to justify the length that he had aboard it..

You call me biased but im seeing things for how they are.. You need to open your other eye and realise, Hayden has had nothing but golden opportunities handed his way throughout his MotoGP career, so deal with it..


There will never be a time that Nicky Hayden will not be the 2006 world champion. Lots of very talented people who have ridden for honda including the likes of max biaggi, didn't win premier class world championships. Ant west hasn't won one either.

Ok, just because my name is antfan doesn't mean we have to compare him to Hay-boy, because its really not a fair comparison..

I think you clearly made the point yourself, Ant has never had machinery at the level that the HRC Repsol bike is, except maybe in WSS where he was aboard the very competetive Yamaha and had two wins and a third from three races at foreign tracks..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 8 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]94368[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Ok, just because my name is antfan doesn't mean we have to compare him to Hay-boy, because its really not a fair comparison..


I agree. Hayden has actually won something worthwhile. Ant West hasn't won jack .....

But West has been given a factory ride, despite the track record that others riders have had at the GP/national level; something that other much more talented riders like Melandri have had to wait for, yet while still winning on satellite teams.

You see, that's what happens when you win something significant. Look at most of the guys that have good rides, they have either won national titles, WSBK titles, or 250GP titles (or at least runner ups) then they are rewarded with a better than average MotoGP ride. So consider it a gift from the All Mighty that somebody like West, who hasn't really won jack .... of any significance (fact) has been gifted a factory ride. Now how is that for getting something you don't deserve?

Here is the thing; you started this debate by condescending the accomplishments of Hayden, as you and Migs have described it as a “luck” title. Actually, I had given up on debating people who still hold on to the remnants of a silly argument because frankly, you just can’t make sense with senseless people. But lately, I had extra time, and so decided to take up the debate with you and Migs. It’s been fun, I guess, seeing you guys stumble over trying to defend how he is so undeserving. Especially you, whose only claim to fame is a guy that hasn’t done ..... But actually, I like West (much more than you think, especially after all your campaigning for him, which I’m sure you have read) moreover, unlike you, I see the similarities between both their struggles (which interestingly, has given me an affinity for West that you are actively trying to extinguish lately). You somehow think that Hayden was gifted a factory ride, but make no mention of the many years putting in great racing results and effort for a factory to pick him up. Then winning championships for these factories (incidentally increasing sales), at the regional and national levels in multiple disciplines (flat track nationals & AMA road) and then prompted to the international level to then again win a title. He has reciprocated with loyalty. Now how you construe all this as “luck” and “undeserving” is both mind boggling and ignorant. It seems you are very well versed in what West has had to go through to get to this point, but you have simply missed the sacrifices that others have made to get to this level also.

I dont think Hayden was gifted a factory ride at all, i just dont think he's done enough with the factory ride over the extended period that he's had aboard it, ill say it again, three wins in five years? That just doesn't cut it, aside from the title, it's just not good enough..

Westy was a national 250cc champion as well as a runner up in the 125cc championship in 1998 earning him the title of Australian Based rider of the year..

He was immediately thrown into the deep end in Europe in the 250's the year after (aboard a Shell Honda) and achieved decent results in his first year (having to learn the bike/tracks/lifestyle) but his best form came in his second year where he finished 6th in the 250cc World Championship.. However, an altercation between his father and the Shell team resulted in his contract being terminated for the following year..

2001, after being promised a 'factory' 250cc ride by Aprilia (gee thats a familiar promise), ended up with Ant riding on a v-twin 500cc for a privateer Honda team (his 250 team failed to show up at round one ) He finished highest placed of the twin riders in the championship and often beat the likes of Criville, Roberts and Checa aboard their v-4's..

The rest is more recent history, took a year out in 2002 because of lack of sponsorship and then struggled as a privateer from then on out (apart from the KTM debacle of 2005) ..

As far as i see it, Ant has never had the reward his talent deserves, now that he's received a decent ride with a decent team, he is able to mix it with the very best riders in the world, he would of/should of had a podium in Japan, if he didn't get over enthusiastic and jump the start after qualifying in his best position of sixth, in the dry...

Ant will only get better from here on out, mark my words..

Argument over.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 9 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]94523[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I dont think Hayden was gifted a factory ride at all, i just dont think he's done enough with the factory ride over the extended period that he's had aboard it, ill say it again, three wins in five years? That just doesn't cut it, aside from the title, it's just not good enough..

Westy was a national 250cc champion as well as a runner up in the 125cc championship in 1998 earning him the title of Australian Based rider of the year..

Argument over.



That's the height of his accomplishments. He's a one time winner in the 250cc class, and runner up in championships, in a country with a population smaller than the Wyoming. As Will Smith would say . . . "...... Please!".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Keshav @ Oct 9 2007, 09:07 PM) [snapback]94524[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
That's the height of his accomplishments. He's a one time winner in the 250cc class, and runner up in championships, in a country with a population smaller than the Wyoming. As Will Smith would say . . . "...... Please!".


ERRRRRRRRRR Will Smith? Is he even black?

I think if Will Smith said that than the brothers would even kick his ....

Your an American and you don't even know who Will Smith is?



I think he'd be saying "...... PLLLEAAASE" to you

Dumb ...., he's a rapper FFS, he'd wanna be black

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 10 2007, 07:50 AM) [snapback]94553[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Your an American and you don't even know who Will Smith is?



I think he'd be saying "...... PLLLEAAASE" to you

Dumb ...., he's a rapper FFS, he'd wanna be black :lol:


Perhaps I am old and less mentally flexible than you, but the positions you maintain regarding ant west and hayden ( I am actually a fan of both) would seem to be mutually contradictory.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Oct 10 2007, 01:40 AM) [snapback]94523[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I dont think Hayden was gifted a factory ride at all, i just dont think he's done enough with the factory ride over the extended period that he's had aboard it, ill say it again, three wins in five years? That just doesn't cut it, aside from the title, it's just not good enough..


if he had not won the title i would agree with you, but the fact is he did which is a pretty exclusive club to be in

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Oct 10 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]94574[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
if he had not won the title i would agree with you, but the fact is he did which is a pretty exclusive club to be in


I am unaware of any world champions who were not both good and lucky, or at least insufficiently unlucky.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Oct 10 2007, 01:35 PM) [snapback]94587[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I am unaware of any world champions who were not both good and lucky, or at least insufficiently unlucky.

exactly, so its a bit silly of antfan to say "i just dont think he's done enough with the factory ride over the extended period that he's had aboard it, ill say it again, three wins in five years? That just doesn't cut it, aside from the title, it's just not good enough".
he may have only had 3 wins but he also had 20 Podium finishes and a world championship.

and what the hell do hayden, ant west, and WILL SMITH have to do with Team Roberts next year?

Is he sponsoring them? No?
Then get back to topic please!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Captain Snow @ Oct 10 2007, 01:18 PM) [snapback]94598[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
and what the hell do hayden, ant west, and WILL SMITH have to do with Team Roberts next year?

Is he sponsoring them? No?
Then get back to topic please!



Yes please, why did everyone drop the talk about Aussie women?

But seriously, Team KR with 2 riders, ducati motors, sounds good. Who's going to pilot however, Kurtis and older brother?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Captain Snow @ Oct 10 2007, 06:18 AM) [snapback]94598[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
and what the hell do hayden, ant west, and WILL SMITH have to do with Team Roberts next year?

Is he sponsoring them? No?
Then get back to topic please!

Hahaha. Sorry man, got carried away. Damn, and I love KR, and like to talk about them, how did I get sucked into a ridiculous debate between a world champion and a one time, one race 250 winner?

Oh and the Will Smith references were hilarious. Thanks guys.

Yeah, ok. KR they rock, but need some support, not welfare, just some TV time to get their sponsors excited and on board.

You Guys........... Well Team Roberts goes through this .... every year and seems to stay in MotoGP, they have had much worse years than this one, KTM dumping them in the .... etc etc, they scored more points this year than in past years prior to KRJR's 6th in the world championship place last year. Even Kurtis has scored points admittedly by just finishing the race but points are points. They need American riders I think for the current sponsorship to work but ahhh well, Kenny stamps his feet and usually gets his way so I don't think we've seen the last of these guys yet. And I'm hoping to see some decent point scoring next year from the team.
Liz