Joined Oct 2015
329 Posts | 196+
UK
Van der Mark at Aragon
- Thread starter Deefer Dogg
- Start date
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
This is good news. Look forward on seeing him ride. I don't understand why riders substituting are not given an opportunity to ride the bike at a track day or something. Good luck to van DM. This is a big moment and a great honor. He's earned it.
If you live in a glass house don't throw rocks.
If you live in a glass house don't throw rocks.
Joined Jun 2016
642 Posts | 244+
Santa Cruz, Cal
I dunno. He has disappointed me in the past, so I am not very hopeful.Well, How will he do? Quite a few differences: Chassis, electronics, ohlins, brakes, team, oh, and TIRES. I say mediocre to malfeasance.
The issue would be organising an opportunity at relatively short notice so that it is relevant to the replacement ride itself and provides sufficient support for the test (ie. bike, techs, tyres, all associated technicians and access to a relevant track)
IMO only here but I reckon that each factory at the start of each seasons should have to nominate 2 riders (this can include their test rider) that may act as 'fill in' riders for the coming season and these riders are allowed to attend each and every GP or track/test day in order to familiarise themselves with the equipment (of course, their availability to do so may be restricted by their own careers but allow it to occur if possible).
These 2 riders then are the only riders allowed to contest GP races as a fill in rider however a test rider is still able to perform all testing as additional to the two nominated riders (in case the # of days testing is restricted to days, not riders)
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
Well, How will he do? Quite a few differences: Chassis, electronics, ohlins, brakes, team, oh, and TIRES. I say mediocre to malfeasance.
Figure this is a better place to reply to this pony. I'm with Theo Yamaha has a track record of putting under achievers on as replacement rider. I am not sure why, besides the obvious not wanting to show up the Crocktor. But then again what are they supposed to do? I don't see them taking on a tech 3 rider as they are contracted to Tech Twa. They have no problem swiping riders if they need one but they are always a set team no need to find talent, talent will come to them.
Joined Mar 2015
2K Posts | 337+
Chertsey, Surrey, UK
I do wonder why they chose Vinales, after all this chap on vastly inferior machinery won last year at Silverstone, and if they were looking for a long term replacement for Rossi then shouldn't that apply to the races when Rossi can't race. After all (This is what I see happening) Rossi won't race next year, his shelf life has expired and he knows it, the only way he could win a 10th title would be by making the rest crash.
I'm going to stick to my earlier prediction that he won't be at the away races, regardless of what he says publicly.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Horrible idea. I prefer to sub in active riders racing in other series. That's who we dream of seeing. They wouldn't know the rider's form in real time if they nominated them 4 months previous. Nah, Yamaha did good for once. This is a great opportunity to test a rider's mettle. It's a steep curve to throw them in the eye of a hurricane, but what an intriguing moment to put a guy in said situation.
And for the record, I disagree vDM is an underachiever. He performed well on the dinosaur posing as a Ten Kate Honda. He has done a reasonable job along side Alex Lowes at Pata Yamaha. Not to mention he's done his Japanese duty to win Sazuks 8 whores. I'm actually very enthusiastic to see him get this opportunity. He deserves it.
If you live in a glass house don't throw rocks.
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Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
I think Vinales was Rossi's choice. Who will replace Rossi will be another story. I hope you are right. It would be nice for Rossi to move on gracefully. Well I guess its already to late for that.
Joined Dec 2015
652 Posts | 567+
San Diego
Joined Oct 2012
3K Posts | 725+
Crab Key
Joined Mar 2015
2K Posts | 337+
Chertsey, Surrey, UK
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Rossi would never hand pick a rider faster than him. So, if Rossi picked Vinales, you would have to think his performance has been a total surprise. I'm guessing at this point in his career, he has little to no say in who he shares the garage with. Yamaha wised to that strategy years ago and are finally looking to the future. I just wish there was a prospect that was so hot, Yamaha would have no choice but to not offer Rossi an extension for 19-20. Of course it would be structured where Rossi would be allowed to announce his retirement instead of being tossed out. Speaking of 2019, Will Ducati offer Marquez the largest contract in history. With their current form he would have to at least consider it and Lorenzo would be the rider he replaces. That could lead to Lorenzo heading back to Yamaha and Honda looking to replace possibly both riders depending on how long they want to continue with Pedrosa.With him struggling the way he is on the Michelin maybe it's time to let him go no matter how much stability he brings to the table. If this played out, who would Honda go after. Take their lumps and go young, promote Crutchlow and hire a youngster or someone like Zarco, not young but a late bloomer. It could get very interesting
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
Good post. I think Vinalez test form was frightening to rossi but race wise Mav hasn't been much better than him. I still say he was the rider Rossi wanted as a teammate over any other possible candidates. I think Rossi and yamaha plan to have a close relationship in motogp after he retires so I think he is already making decisions. He is not going to pick riders that aren't good he's just going to make sure he likes or can work over err I mean work with his teammate.
As for hot commodity riders, it isn't their style to go after them. They want proven winners that are willing to come to them. IMO they think their bike is worth coming to ride. If they wanted those type of rider they would have went after marc, stoner, and would have taken a shot at Morbidelli. But they always have two riders that are capable of winning, and I have to think most riders think they could win races on that bike too. So they leave the talent chasing to honda and everyone else. They'll grab one when they need a rider. But Rossi's replacement will probably come from the VR46 camp and he will stay one board as team manager or something like that. He will never go away.
Joined Sep 2013
233 Posts | 92+
matlock
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
In all fairness, a hot commodity young rider is a proven winner or he wouldn't be a hot commodity. Honda has struck out recently with the grooming process as Miller and Quatararro have both failed so far to live up to what they hoped for. Right now, If Honda lost Marquez it would be catastrophic .
Joined Sep 2013
233 Posts | 92+
matlock
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
I don't feel thats new to honda. They groomed riders like Pedrosa. Honda has a lot more seats to play around with. Well not a lot but a few. Yamaha is two factory and tech 3 support whatever they are bikes. Honda is willing to add factory bikes for riders who seem to have potential like morbidelli next year Simonelli in the past. To me honda tends to search for the next best thing constantly, even when they have they best. Nothing wrong with that.
