which will be

as the first round of wsbk & the 06 season approaches... finally, which series do u think will be the most competitive, having the greatest number of potential championship challengers?

i cant say i've paid much attention if any to WSB to be honest.

i am definately looking forward to the GP season. finding out about all these new guys off the people on here has definately raised my expectations of the racing and hopefully we'll see a harder fought run in for the title

I think Bayliss has the edge, I don't know where Corser and the other favourites stand but I hope they give Bayliss a run for his money.

Although GPs are my priority it's been ages since the last race so I'm really looking forward to the first round of SBK.

125's are always the most competitive. Because experience levels and bikes are basically all equal. Not even Luthi has an edge really. He's definately a contender, But I would'nt put money on it.
Probably after that is 250, simply because there's no real single standout rider since Pedrosa left.
Then I'd say Supersport. Charpentier dominates the class, but he's not without rivals.
After that would be Superbike. I got a feeling Bayliss is going to run away with this championship, but you can't discount guys like Corser, Haga and Lanzi.
Sadly, I think motoGP will be last, thanks to everyone's favourite Doctor. Sure he's got new rivals, Like Melandri, who's skill seems to be increasing exponentially, as well as new kid Pedrosa and HRC's new main man Hayden, and a very fast Gibernau on a very fast Ducati. But I don't think any of these guys are either ready or capable to be consistently beating Rossi in a way that would bring them the championship

125s are always the most competitive so I won't count it. 250s it's hard to tell, it could be very close or someone like Seb Porto, Hector Barbera, Jorge Lorenzo or Alex de Angelis could run away with it. World Superbike will be very close. As much as I've said Bayliss will win it, he certainly won't be unopposed. Croser is a very formidable opponent, Lanzi is young and hungry and his speed increases everyday. This may be the best shot at a title Nori Haga has ever had with a well funded and well developed team. Ten Kate Honda is a top time with the riders being the question marks. If Muggas and JT can come good on the CBR1kRR early they could be a force. The return of Ruben Xaus will be interesting. Who know what Alex Barros will do, the same goes for guys like Roby Rolfo, Fonsi Nieto, Chris Walker, Regis Laconi. I think the WSB grid has the most potential winners. I look to that being the most highly contested championship of the year.

But don't underestimate the MotoGP field. Although Rossi has given us no reason to show his pace is off, his competition has improved considerably from last year. Marco Melandri and Nicky Hayden entered 2005 as huge question marks and ended the season as Rossi's main competition. Sete Gibernau is now in a lead rider situation with a much improved Ducati and has the potential to find 2003/04 form. And add Dani Pedrosa. This season will be perhaps the most competitive since Rossi has arrived.

I don't think Barros will make a big impact on a Superbike. It's a lot bigger than the GP stuff he's used to and with his late braking on a heavier bike that he dosen't know well.... He might have a few spills.
And you know what they say about teaching an old dog new tricks

i think barros will do ok, but whats ok? a couple of wins and a couple of pods?

Maybe, I dunno.
I wouldn't put money on him for a win though. By all means, it's possible. I'm just not really convinced.

if barros does win a race or 2, it'll be toward the end of the season me thinks. needs track time to get the bike sorted.

Need to see how he adapts to the big CBR before making any real predictions

Both series give me goosebumps watching.TWO excellent championships in 06

MotoGP I think because 125 you don't know who will win. 250 because anyone can win the tilte in 06. MotoGP everyone wants beat Valentino Rossi

Everyone wants to, but no-one can

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 3 2006, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Everyone wants to, but no-one can
good for my team!

Yeah, rub it in, Mr "My team dosen't depend on Honda at all!"

Good choise of riders

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 5 2006, 12:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, rub it in, Mr "My team dosen't depend on Honda at all!"


gotta go with ya gut brother!

Frosty I gotta go with my head. If I went with my gut I'd have a pizza instead of Melandri, a hotdog instead of Edwards, an eclair instead of Michelin, a bottle of port instead of D'antin and a bucket of puke instead of Bimota.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Mar 5 2006, 09:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Frosty I gotta go with my head. If I went with my gut I'd have a pizza instead of Melandri, a hotdog instead of Edwards, an eclair instead of Michelin, a bottle of port instead of D'antin and a bucket of puke instead of Bimota.
i can see yer point!