Who does Honda consider to be #1?

In Spain, this week’s issue of Solo Moto is reporting that Pedrosa was actually running a chassis modification in Jerez that Nicky’s RC212V still hadn’t yet received. Apparently the #26 bike sported a Showa shock with a different mounting system, whereas Hayden’s bike still used the same Pro-Link mounting system utilized at Qatar. The real news, however, is not so much about the specifics of the technical change, as it is about the fact that Pedrosa received it first. Rightly or wrongly, the Spaniards are treating this as evidence that Pedrosa is now being treated as the #1 rider at HRC—the digit on Nicky’s fairing notwithstanding
^^^Taken from "this week in your sport" from www.roadracerx.com

Maybe there is some bias towards Pedrosa after all. It doesnt seem quite fair does it. Yes Hayden is struggling to make friends with his new bike, but being the world champion has to give you a few perks in your own team doesnt it?

I also heard about this, but ultimately honda have to do whats best for honda. If they gave a new rear suspension link to nicky it'd be hard for him to test it successfuly because he hasnt got the bike sorted with a decent base setting. His feedback would be less valuable than Dani's, so dani gets the part.

The question of who is number 1 in the team i think is hard, Nicky is struggling and needs help, but Dani is the man who can take it to rossi. I think if hayden can get his act together he will be treated equally, but a few more races like we've had and dani will be a clear factory favorite

Dani was and is Honda's future and those who make the decisions know it.

SS

It is just strange to see how he has fallen from grace with them. There was a time when Hayden seemed to be their number 1 son. It is a fickle world indeed. I guess the old saying holds true "you are only as good as your last performance.

I dont think its any secret who Repsol considers #1.Im guessing for their 20+ million per year sponsorship, Honda will play along.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 1 2007, 08:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I also heard about this, but ultimately honda have to do whats best for honda. If they gave a new rear suspension link to nicky it'd be hard for him to test it successfuly because he hasnt got the bike sorted with a decent base setting. His feedback would be less valuable than Dani's, so dani gets the part.

The question of who is number 1 in the team i think is hard, Nicky is struggling and needs help, but Dani is the man who can take it to rossi. I think if hayden can get his act together he will be treated equally, but a few more races like we've had and dani will be a clear factory favorite
+1

HRC does not follow orders from their sponsors no matter how big they are. Repsol wanted Gibernau in Repsol Honda badly, Honda just said 'no'.

So HRC makes the call and says who is #1.

I don't think HRC has made that decision yet, but if in a couple of races Hayden has improved significantly, they will probably consider Dani as #1 since he is the only Honda rider at the top.

i think the mighty 'H' have always considered Dani to be the future of their factory team

No disrespect to Hayden (the useless Farmboy that he is ) but I think as far as Honda is concerned - last year is ancient history and if I was Nicky - i'd be more than a little pissed off about it.

Honda seemed to be doing everything possible to let Nicky let the title slip through his hands last year (by having him test new parts & giving him clutces made of cheese etc etc at the most critical point of the season) - what's all that about ?

Obviously I don't know what goes on at Honda but the impression I get is that they've found their golden boy and he will be assimilated

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Apr 1 2007, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>HRC does not follow orders from their sponsors no matter how big they are. Repsol wanted Gibernau in Repsol Honda badly, Honda just said 'no'.

gibernau did ride for repsol honda

so he did

I meant in 2005.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Apr 1 2007, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I meant in 2005.

stupid tom

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (baldylocks @ Apr 1 2007, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Obviously I don't know what goes on at Honda but the impression I get is that they've found their golden boy and he will be assimilated

What if ‘Golden boy’ gets injured… are the 'Big H' really putting all the eggs in one basket? Weren’t them the ones that always corroborate that it is the bike, not the rider! Enlighten me please! It all goes against any theory…

Yamaha put all their eggs in Rossi...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChemiKaze @ Apr 2 2007, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yamaha put all their eggs in Rossi...
He's one of a kind though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 1 2007, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The question of who is number 1 in the team i think is hard, Nicky is struggling and needs help, but Dani is the man who can take it to rossi. I think if hayden can get his act together he will be treated equally, but a few more races like we've had and dani will be a clear factory favorite
I think Dani is the better of the two, and obviously Honda knows it too. They know he can be a danger to Rossi. So therefore Pedrosa is their number one.
Of course that has to hurt if you're Hayden (after all, he did win the title last season). I hope Nicky will improve the next few races, but it's gonna be hard for sure...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Apr 2 2007, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Dani is the better of the two, and obviously Honda knows it too. They know he can be a danger to Rossi. So therefore Pedrosa is their number one.
Of course that has to hurt if you're Hayden (after all, he did win the title last season).
And so far without bike's breaking down or people crashing and being knocked off it shows why Hayden was champion last year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Apr 2 2007, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And so far without bike's breaking down or people crashing and being knocked off it shows why Hayden was champion last year.
Yeah..well in the end it doesn't matter how you do it I guess. Hayden was the one with the most points. I don't think he was the best last year, he just had the most points. I also don't think a lot people expect Nicky to fight for the title, Nicky himself probably realises it too!! He should be lucky to finish 4th. Don't see that happening...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChemiKaze @ Apr 2 2007, 02:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yamaha put all their eggs in Rossi...

Yes, but Yamaha's politics have been focused like that several times... and Honda's approach is supposed to be totaly 'the bike is what matters!'

Therefore, Honda putting all the eggs in one basket goes against theory…
Yamaha putting all the eggs in one basket goes with their philosophy…

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Apr 2 2007, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And so far without bike's breaking down or people crashing and being knocked off it shows why Hayden was champion last year.

Lets face it even fans of Nicky have acknowledged that without various bike failures on the Yamaha and crashes for the likes of Valentino, Loris and Melandri that Nicky would not be world champion. But he is and last season he did outperform Dani. I know it was Dani's first season but nonetheless Nicky did beat him. Dani is definitely the Honda No.1 this year though and this is probably partly due to the change from 990cc to 800cc benefiting him much more than Nicky due to their different racing backgrounds. Dani also is almost certain to be a future world champion.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChemiKaze @ Apr 2 2007, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yamaha put all their eggs in Rossi...

Firstly, Valentino is the best rider in the world.

Secondly, sorry to fans of Colin, but Edwards is hardly going to win the world title is he. Same applies to Tamada and Guintoli at Tech 3.

Thirdly, Valentino is on a very large salary and is a global icon so if he does well it will quite likely be beneficial for the Yamaha brand of road bikes.