Westy is badly underperforming. How patient will Kawasaki management be before they start to apply some pressure? Will his contract keep him in place all year, or will we see an early exit? Does anyone out there expect him to improve to a respectable standard?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 15 2008, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Westy is badly underperforming. How patient will Kawasaki management be before they start to apply some pressure? Will his contract keep him in place all year, or will we see an early exit? Does anyone out there expect him to improve to a respectable standard?
westy aint the only one under performing. i think a few seats may become available if some don't start pushing themselves a bit more.
westy aint the only one under performing. i think a few seats may become available if some don't start pushing themselves a bit more.
does anyone have that pic with Westy and hopper sitting on the bikes facing eachother.
Westy be looking a little chunky (bad Westy, no donut!)
Westy be looking a little chunky (bad Westy, no donut!)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 16 2008, 03:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Westy is badly underperforming. How patient will Kawasaki management be before they start to apply some pressure? Will his contract keep him in place all year, or will we see an early exit? Does anyone out there expect him to improve to a respectable standard?
I have no doubt Westy can ride a motorcycle,but i have to say he's doing it tough this season.
if the bike doesn't handle you cant ride it , of course its up to him and his team to sort it out.
Hopper's not doing too bad on the same machine, i hope he can get it sorted before the axe falls.
I have no doubt Westy can ride a motorcycle,but i have to say he's doing it tough this season.
if the bike doesn't handle you cant ride it , of course its up to him and his team to sort it out.
Hopper's not doing too bad on the same machine, i hope he can get it sorted before the axe falls.
Not sure really - if Hopper keeps going well, then maybe they'll keep West for the rest of the season. It depends what they paid him and what expectations they have I suppose.
Maybe West can turn it around and prove us all wrong, but he seems to be in the same place as Melandri - all at sea with no idea of how to improve on the bike. I suppose he's not dropping it all the time unlike De Puniet - so there's something to be happy about. Not much, but a little.
Maybe West can turn it around and prove us all wrong, but he seems to be in the same place as Melandri - all at sea with no idea of how to improve on the bike. I suppose he's not dropping it all the time unlike De Puniet - so there's something to be happy about. Not much, but a little.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Apr 15 2008, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Not sure really - if Hopper keeps going well, then maybe they'll keep West for the rest of the season. It depends what they paid him and what expectations they have I suppose.
Maybe West can turn it around and prove us all wrong, but he seems to be in the same place as Melandri - all at sea with no idea of how to improve on the bike. I suppose he's not dropping it all the time unlike De Puniet - so there's something to be happy about. Not much, but a little.
Yea, thing with Marco is that he is a proven race winner and championship contender and i think that will earn him a little more patience from the Bosses. Furthermore his underperformance is being compared to the current world champion who himself is struggling, West is over a second a lap slower than someone relatively un-acomplished.
I'd be surprised to see West get another job in motogp if he can't hold his own in this one.
Maybe West can turn it around and prove us all wrong, but he seems to be in the same place as Melandri - all at sea with no idea of how to improve on the bike. I suppose he's not dropping it all the time unlike De Puniet - so there's something to be happy about. Not much, but a little.
Yea, thing with Marco is that he is a proven race winner and championship contender and i think that will earn him a little more patience from the Bosses. Furthermore his underperformance is being compared to the current world champion who himself is struggling, West is over a second a lap slower than someone relatively un-acomplished.
I'd be surprised to see West get another job in motogp if he can't hold his own in this one.
Westy needs to improve significantly and very quickly ... you don't need to be a rocket scientist to read between these lines;
Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
"... I had hoped for a better result from Anthony. Normally he's able to turn it on in the race and improve on both his practice and qualifying performance, but it just didn't happen for him today. We need to find the root cause of his problems, and then come up with a solution, because the current situation isn't good for him and it isn't good for Kawasaki."
He is a very capable rider who needs to get his head together and improve his fitness (at least he seems to be doing something about this). I think he can/will improve but whether Kawasaki give him enough time to do so is another story!
BTW, I hope "Antfan" isn't ill. Haven't seen him around here for quite some time now!
Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
"... I had hoped for a better result from Anthony. Normally he's able to turn it on in the race and improve on both his practice and qualifying performance, but it just didn't happen for him today. We need to find the root cause of his problems, and then come up with a solution, because the current situation isn't good for him and it isn't good for Kawasaki."
He is a very capable rider who needs to get his head together and improve his fitness (at least he seems to be doing something about this). I think he can/will improve but whether Kawasaki give him enough time to do so is another story!
BTW, I hope "Antfan" isn't ill. Haven't seen him around here for quite some time now!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (projekZERO @ Apr 16 2008, 04:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>does anyone have that pic with Westy and hopper sitting on the bikes facing eachother.
Westy be looking a little chunky (bad Westy, no donut!)
Kawasaki pay West in donuts
West could turn it around, but I'd say 8th-10 is about the max he could achieve at his best on a dry track. The field is too damn strong and Kawasaki dont have a contender in West. Bartholemy is great, he doesn't mince his words, whenever Mamola speaks to him you can hear his disgust for poor results.
Westy is made for Supersport and probably Superbike racing. Just the way it is.
Westy be looking a little chunky (bad Westy, no donut!)
Kawasaki pay West in donuts
Westy is made for Supersport and probably Superbike racing. Just the way it is.
I believe that West is a good rider, an exceptional wet rider even, but not a MotoGP rider and his days are numbered.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced at some stage throughout the year if Kawasaki get desperate or an option becomes available, otherwise I fully expect him to be gone at the end of '08.
In many ways for me (as an Aussie) it will be a shame but he has now had two opportunities and has not been that successful at either. He may well return to another class (ie. Supersports) and kick ... just as he was doing in '07 as I do hope that he not fade into oblivion.
But who to replace him with is the question and it may well come down to dollars.
Garry
I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced at some stage throughout the year if Kawasaki get desperate or an option becomes available, otherwise I fully expect him to be gone at the end of '08.
In many ways for me (as an Aussie) it will be a shame but he has now had two opportunities and has not been that successful at either. He may well return to another class (ie. Supersports) and kick ... just as he was doing in '07 as I do hope that he not fade into oblivion.
But who to replace him with is the question and it may well come down to dollars.
Garry
Joined Jun 2007
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I think Westy got in on the "Wow ... where did Stoner come from?" factor last year I think Kawasaki were in a desperate position when Jacque got injured and had not enough money to buy a "big rider" so were working in the realms of lets find a "surprise rider" like Stoner.
He has't performed though ..... so I don't expect him to last ....
As the Prophet John ( Kocinski ) would suggest ... there are other riders out there waiting.
He has't performed though ..... so I don't expect him to last ....
As the Prophet John ( Kocinski ) would suggest ... there are other riders out there waiting.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Apr 16 2008, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I believe that West is a good rider, an exceptional wet rider even, but not a MotoGP rider and his days are numbered.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced at some stage throughout the year if Kawasaki get desperate or an option becomes available, otherwise I fully expect him to be gone at the end of '08.
In many ways for me (as an Aussie) it will be a shame but he has now had two opportunities and has not been that successful at either. He may well return to another class (ie. Supersports) and kick ... just as he was doing in '07 as I do hope that he not fade into oblivion.
But who to replace him with is the question and it may well come down to dollars.
Garry
Agreed. Hopefully West doesn't put too many team owners off with his Kawasaki results. He's still young(ish) and there are a few 'old' guys at the end of there career in WSBK and the AMA there are opportunities around, if his manager can con someone
I wouldn't be surprised to see him replaced at some stage throughout the year if Kawasaki get desperate or an option becomes available, otherwise I fully expect him to be gone at the end of '08.
In many ways for me (as an Aussie) it will be a shame but he has now had two opportunities and has not been that successful at either. He may well return to another class (ie. Supersports) and kick ... just as he was doing in '07 as I do hope that he not fade into oblivion.
But who to replace him with is the question and it may well come down to dollars.
Garry
Agreed. Hopefully West doesn't put too many team owners off with his Kawasaki results. He's still young(ish) and there are a few 'old' guys at the end of there career in WSBK and the AMA there are opportunities around, if his manager can con someone
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Living the dream in Scotland
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Apr 16 2008, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Westy got in on the "Wow ... where did Stoner come from?" factor last year I think Kawasaki were in a desperate position when Jacque got injured and had not enough money to buy a "big rider" so were working in the realms of lets find a "surprise rider" like Stoner.
He has't performed though ..... so I don't expect him to last ....
As the Prophet John ( Kocinski ) would suggest ... there are other riders out there waiting.
With the current team of Westy and Hopper, Kawaski will probably be looking at a revolving door policy until a proper rider comes along.
Pete
He has't performed though ..... so I don't expect him to last ....
As the Prophet John ( Kocinski ) would suggest ... there are other riders out there waiting.
With the current team of Westy and Hopper, Kawaski will probably be looking at a revolving door policy until a proper rider comes along.
Pete
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Apr 18 2008, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>With the current team of Westy and Hopper, Kawaski will probably be looking at a revolving door policy until a proper rider comes along.
Pete
they need the doc to get that thing sorted...
Pete
they need the doc to get that thing sorted...
His performances are miles below par and I don't expect him to see out the year @ Kawasaki.
A wet weather podium may save his bacon until then but it's only a matter of time.
A wet weather podium may save his bacon until then but it's only a matter of time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frizzle @ Apr 18 2008, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>A wet weather podium may save his bacon until then but it's only a matter of time.
nah... hes toast.
nah... hes toast.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 19 2008, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>they need the doc to get that thing sorted...
Do you really believe that Vale would want to go anywhere near the kawasaki?
I had high hopes for West when he got the ride last year and started with some very good results. To bad the kawasaki is a piece of pus - hopefully Westy will get a decent ride in supersports or superbikes. He's definately got some talent but for whatever reason it hasn't materialised in the motoGP class.
Pass the poison chalice to someone else Ant.
p.s. How's Hopper going on the kawaskai? At least he's making truckloads of cash to ride a shitheap.
Do you really believe that Vale would want to go anywhere near the kawasaki?
I had high hopes for West when he got the ride last year and started with some very good results. To bad the kawasaki is a piece of pus - hopefully Westy will get a decent ride in supersports or superbikes. He's definately got some talent but for whatever reason it hasn't materialised in the motoGP class.
Pass the poison chalice to someone else Ant.
p.s. How's Hopper going on the kawaskai? At least he's making truckloads of cash to ride a shitheap.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ May 5 2008, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Pass the poison chalice to someone else Ant.
and let's hope they don't pass it to another Aussie. Team "...." green has chewed up McCoy, Pitt and now Ant!
For a company that is as big as Kawasaki, they really are the joke of the paddock!
and let's hope they don't pass it to another Aussie. Team "...." green has chewed up McCoy, Pitt and now Ant!
For a company that is as big as Kawasaki, they really are the joke of the paddock!
I've had the call out on West since he came into MotoGP and it looks like i was right
Last season everybody was a little lost at times with the new bikes and Westy put in some decent shows but now every top rider is on it and hes at the back.
Last season everybody was a little lost at times with the new bikes and Westy put in some decent shows but now every top rider is on it and hes at the back.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ May 5 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've had the call out on West since he came into MotoGP and it looks like i was right
Last season everybody was a little lost at times with the new bikes and Westy put in some decent shows but now every top rider is on it and hes at the back.
Maybe Barros would like to get a ride for later if West ain't going to improve..
Last season everybody was a little lost at times with the new bikes and Westy put in some decent shows but now every top rider is on it and hes at the back.
Maybe Barros would like to get a ride for later if West ain't going to improve..
Westy is a talented rider, but I simply don't believe he is 'clicking' with the Kwak. Maybe he cannot develop the bike well enough to make it work for him? I believe in his talent, but maybe his development skills are letting him down.
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