This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Up and coming Talent?

Jumkie

Jumkie

Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Ok, lets see if we can go down a road where we can avoid a wreck at an intersection. Some of you have heard the Story of John Hopkins. (If you haven't, in a nutshell, he was recognized at a young age and was catapulted to MotoGP). Unfortunately for him, it was with Suzuki, otherwise I think we would have been treated too much more success in the standings.

But that's not the point of this thread. Here is the question:

Of NATIONAL racing series only, who do you think is out there that shows some promise and talent, and perhaps we may be seeing him in MotoGP in the near future? Yes, we all have some ideas of guys in GP 250s and to a lesser extent, WSBK supersport, but I am interested in NATIONAL series talent.


Ok, I'll start. Here in the AMA, we have a kid by the name of Danny Eslick. He is a spectacular rider. Reminds me of McCoy. His background is dirt track, and sometimes, you would think he is still on dirt the way this kid slides his bike around. He also is into supermoto. Obviously he is not on a factory works bike, and I don't see him winning a superbike championship soon (but neither did Hopkins, it may surprise you to learn).

Here is a clip of him at a Supermoto race in Long Beach California (25 minutes from where I live).

Check out this sick-... slide.

If you were a scout for MotoGP, who would you have your eye on?
 
I'll take the easy one. Ben Spies! The guy is just crazy fast. I really wanna see him on a decent ride in MotoGP.
 
I know it's not Moto GP, or road racing even, but keep your eyes open for the name Alexz Wigg.

Alexz is just 17, and won last years' world youth trials championship. He's moved into the adult ranks this year and is getting some shockingly good results. I've known the family all my life, and Alexz is surely destined for greatness.
Father Julian was a European Grasstrack Champion, Uncle Simon was 5 times World Long Track Champion. Obviously expectations are high for Alexz coming from such great pedigree, keep your eyes on the off road press and track his progress. He's a great lad.
 
They've got their eyes on him already, Jonathan Rea in BSB. The kid is 20, took 4th in the bsb title last year. He comes from a racing family and started off motocross, british 60cc champion at the age of 10. I don't think he'll win the BSB title this year but I definitely see him going to WSBK for a season at least then GP's, hopefully.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ May 29 2007, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>They've got their eyes on him already, Jonathan Rea in BSB. The kid is 20, took 4th in the bsb title last year. He comes from a racing family and started off motocross, british 60cc champion at the age of 10. I don't think he'll win the BSB title this year but I definitely see him going to WSBK for a season at least then GP's, hopefully.


Rea is the guvnor, great rider, great to watch. Get him onto the world stage ASAP please!

Too many folks get bogged down in BSB for too long, and the moment goes. It would be a scandal to let another one through the net.

Pete
 
I know Pete, I really like the way Rea goes about his business. If he decides to go to WSBK for a year or two first, a GP move could depend if LCR decide to put Eugene laverty on a 800, that's got to be a couple of years away at least, if at all. JR should just get his ... into GP's soon as he can, forget about WSBK, plenty of time for that and for BSB when he's in his 30's. JT will be in GP's next year so there'll be limited places for British riders soon.
 
Well i dare say the Aus. Supers isn't as competitive as it used to be but the standout from there has to be Jaime Stauffer. Championship winner last year but on a factory bike.... seems to be heading the same way again this year.
Had it been 3 months ago ... i would've alse said Russell Holland. Who put up a brilliant battle with Stauffer last year for the title on a privateer machine. But he's has literally been nowhere this year. I haven't seen any races from this year but in the results he's almost nowhere to be seen.... which is a huge dissapointment.
Another name i want to mention is Mark Aitchison. Raced Supersport here for a few years... my eldest bro and myself both picked him as the next to graduate to the world stage and at present he's racing in the superstock 1000 fim cup ( with antoher aussie brendan roberts) and coming first in the championship points ....
<


thats all my up and comings
<
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ May 29 2007, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well i dare say the Aus. Supers isn't as competitive as it used to be but the standout from there has to be Jaime Stauffer. Championship winner last year but on a factory bike.... seems to be heading the same way again this year.
Had it been 3 months ago ... i would've alse said Russell Holland. Who put up a brilliant battle with Stauffer last year for the title on a privateer machine. But he's has literally been nowhere this year. I haven't seen any races from this year but in the results he's almost nowhere to be seen.... which is a huge dissapointment.
Another name i want to mention is Mark Aitchison. Raced Supersport here for a few years... my eldest bro and myself both picked him as the next to graduate to the world stage and at present he's racing in the superstock 1000 fim cup ( with antoher aussie brendan roberts) and coming first in the championship points ....
<


thats all my up and comings
<


I wouldn't consider anyone in Australian championships significant until they had proved them self on at least world supersport or decent national superbike level. There seems to be a lot of Australians in the world superbike paddock, but most of them are nobodies.


I am unconvinced by Spies so far, i wouldn't put him on a gp bike unless he did a bit better in AMA or had some world superbike success. I also agree that Jonathan Rea is the next big thing from the UK, but i think he should get out now, don't even bother sticking around to win the British series.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ May 29 2007, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>thats why they're up and comings .... they've got talent, but yet to prove themselves....
<


Yeah but with so many Australian nobodies in the world superbike paddock, the riders need to do something extra special to stand out at all (kind alike Spaniards in gp) and i don't think that can be achieved in the domestic series you have.
 
i've already said that our Aussie supers series is lacking. Its not the same caliber that it used to be. Thats why alot of riders head overseas at a young age to build their experience in other championships.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ May 29 2007, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i've already said that our Aussie supers series is lacking. Its not the same caliber that it used to be. Thats why alot of riders head overseas at a young age to build their experience in other championships.

You've flooded the market, piss off back home and let some brits struggle for points
<
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 29 2007, 07:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I wouldn't consider anyone in Australian championships significant until they had proved them self on at least world supersport or decent national superbike level. There seems to be a lot of Australians in the world superbike paddock, but most of them are nobodies.
I am unconvinced by Spies so far, i wouldn't put him on a gp bike unless he did a bit better in AMA or had some world superbike success. I also agree that Jonathan Rea is the next big thing from the UK, but i think he should get out now, don't even bother sticking around to win the British series.

How much better than a dominating championship [where he tied the record for most wins in a season] does he have to do?

Another name to watch for is Josh Herrin.Last year he had to wait till his 16th B-day to race AMA.His first race was a podium at Miller Motorsports in Supersport.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (K.J. @ May 29 2007, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well i dare say the Aus. Supers isn't as competitive as it used to be but the standout from there has to be Jaime Stauffer. Championship winner last year but on a factory bike.... seems to be heading the same way again this year.
Had it been 3 months ago ... i would've alse said Russell Holland. Who put up a brilliant battle with Stauffer last year for the title on a privateer machine. But he's has literally been nowhere this year. I haven't seen any races from this year but in the results he's almost nowhere to be seen.... which is a huge dissapointment.
Another name i want to mention is Mark Aitchison. Raced Supersport here for a few years... my eldest bro and myself both picked him as the next to graduate to the world stage and at present he's racing in the superstock 1000 fim cup ( with antoher aussie brendan roberts) and coming first in the championship points ....
<


thats all my up and comings
<


As far as Russell Holland goes he had a shoulder reconstruction in the off season and basically had no strength in the arm for the first 2 meetings. My guess is by the end of the series he'll be back up to speed. No off season testing will really .... a season over. He needs to do what Atchinson and Roberts are doing.

From what I've read of Brendan Roberts he seems to be able to ride anything fast. Runner up in the R6 cup in 05, dominated the 06 British Superstock Championship, had a race in the GSXR cup on a 750 and won. Got some great results in The Euro Superstock championship, including a win. The thing I found interesting was when he sold his Crescent Suzukis and raced a Kawasaki because it was a challenge as no one else could get the thing to work. He managed to get 2nd first time out and was battling for the win at the next round. What impressed me most is his adaptability. No matter what he rode or where he rode he was quick, also he adapted to different teams throughout the year, which I think is one of his greatest assets. His wrist needs to heal so he can get on a Superbike and prove he can ride a technically superior bike with slick tyres. Until then hes fast as hell, but unproven riding top equipment.

Johnny Rea should get out of BSB for 08. Its a big step to WSBK, but I think if JT leaves, then the opportunity is there for them to give Rea a shot with a great bike and environment. I dont see this happening as Rolfo isnt going to win the championship in 08, Im sure Sofuoğlu is booked for the other 08 ride. I'd like to see him on a factory Aprilia in 250's for 2-3 years. Not at all likely.

The only guy left is Spies. I agree with Tom, he's definitely fast, but Mladin is his only real competition and Matt is racking up the wins this year. Its a good test for Spies, but hes another guy that needs to ditch the comforts of home and race abroad. If the other thread is correct, he'll end up on a Suzuki GP bike soon enough. If they give him a really good shot like they gave John then we can see what he is made of.

I'm waiting for a young Kiwi kid to come through on tarmac. Motocross is sorted, but the guys never seem to make the jump to RR. Guess I'll be waiting for awhile yet
<
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ May 29 2007, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>How much better than a dominating championship [where he tied the record for most wins in a season] does he have to do?

For me to make the jump from being just the guy with the factory Suzuki to a real up and coming talent he needs to show progress. He went down in my estimation when he stayed in America for this season because it makes him look like another AMA superbike rider. He needs to ride better this season again, get faster and really rub in that he is too good for AMA (See Kiyo in BSB) then give him a shot in world championships.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ May 29 2007, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He went down in my estimation when he stayed in America
Well Tom. I'm not sure why you seem to downplay anything AMA, but good thing you are not the talent scout, because it seems like somebody at Suzuki along with Kevin Schwantz (you remember our discussions about him right) have an eye on Spies.

Good point about progress, however, its not like he is not coming he’s dropping position in the races he hasn't won. If he doesn't win he is 2nd. Also, the season is still young and he can click off some wins and win the championship, which, last time I checked, he is still leading.

Anyway, I think the idea is to give a young guy with talent an opportunity. If we wait for them to have a few championships under their belt, it may be too late by the time they make the jump. Imagine if they had waited for Hopkins to click off a couple of superbike championships, by your logic, he would have not belonged in MotoGP. And that is clearly not the case. So I say, if someone in the know sees a talented rider that they thing can have success at the GP level, then lets give them an opportunity.

So again, the idea is who do you think has talent enough but as of yet, perhaps unproven at the moment, can have success in MotoGP? Yes, its all a big guess, but we can speculate.
 
Anyone else Leon Camier?......coz I think he's a bloody good rider and is having a great season to date.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ May 29 2007, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>camier caught everybody out didn't he? he's on the radar now though.

I remember reading an article in racer mag about 10 months ago. There was an interview with the Europsort boys, and they tipped Camier as a good motogp rider.

Did he used to be in 250's/125's? Sure I heard him say something when he was commentating on WSB at the weekend
 

Similar threads

AnnoyingTwit
Predictions for 2025
Replies
36
Views
890
mikesbytes
mikesbytes
JPSLotus
2024 Round 14: Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna - Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
Replies
314
Views
6K
ApriliaRS250
ApriliaRS250
M
FIM Technical Director, Roland Berger, Speaks About 2027 Technical Regulations
Replies
16
Views
1K
mikesbytes
mikesbytes
JPSLotus
2024 MotoGP Round 9: Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland - Sachsenring
Replies
259
Views
6K
Barbedwirebikerr
Barbedwirebikerr
Segfault
Guidelines for Simon Crafar – Q & A
Replies
0
Views
509
Segfault
Segfault

Recent Discussions