Well done Max ,those double ups made a hell of a difference earlier on in the season.Bad luck Leon but even without the blow up I think the title wasn`t gonna be yours this year..........time to regroup and come back biting in 2011.BTW I`m tipping Max to take the 2011 title as well.
Was gutted for JR,he was just starting to hit the right notes.Another regroup job for 2011.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Which means absolutely nothing. If it shows anything, it shows that Crutchlow was given a championship bike, but only had enough concentration and race craft to put in quick q times and win a couple of home races. There are plenty of riders that can run quick laps, what separates the good ones from the great ones, is the inability to throw in 20 in a row, week in, week out.. I like Cal, and in normal circumstances, this would have been an excellent rookie campaign, but whoever is using lap times from another year to justify his move to GP is kidding himself. GP needs a Brit and he is the top Brit, period.
Yes it was excellent racing. Good on Eugene for trying when he had no choice but to try, its a shame it ended how it did but at the end of the day it only cost Kenan 1 point in the end
I agree that his promotion to GP is due to Dorna's encouragement to get a brit and Yamaha's willingness to bring superbike riders accross. There are brits on every brand in superbike, but Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Kawasaki (haha) aren't likely to do such a thing. However the report i read basically insinuated that the Yamaha has not really moved forward much from last year (hence their slip down the order) and that Cal's performance is comparible to Bens. I don't believe that Cal has quite the same quality as Spies, but i can believe that he's got the speed and the potential to make it work in the long run.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
I read the same report and to me, it seemed like Yamaha was searching for the answer to the questions that were sure to be asked. Like i said, i like Cal, and i dont blame Yamaha. They know he is not ready, but you do what your told. I would love to see what Herve was promised by Dorna to make this move.
Yamaha recommended Cal stay in superbike another year, he wanted to go. I think its best he moves on now before he gets too settled in superbikes anyway. He's either got it or he hasn't
congrats to max & aprilla...well done & well deserved. felt the pinch for leon... ashame really but the title was max's regaurdless methinks... look out next year with haslam on the beemer! tough break for rea... i want to see him win it next season!
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
congrats to max & aprilla...well done & well deserved. felt the pinch for leon... ashame really but the title was max's regaurdless methinks... look out next year with haslam on the beemer! tough break for rea... i want to see him win it next season!
Speaking of BMW, does anyone else feel like BMW's progress kind of stalled mid season. It appeared they were making strides in the first half of the season, then just went static for the rest of the year. I dont know if stats will back that up, it just feels that way to me.
Xaus never seemed to make much progress with the bike and I think Corser kinda stopped moving forward with the bike after his concussion.....he started having some crashes or low point earning races after that round at Brno.
Wonder how far Corser and Haslam can take the BMW next year.
I would hope he would be as fast as Spies or faster.....he has an upgraded R1 (I think I read/heard that it got a 15 hp bump from the 09 bike from the development Spies helped with) and he has much more track knowledge than Spies had coming into the series.
I don't think Crutchlow will have a big impact on MotoGP but I don't blame him for taking the opportunity to ride in the top class. Who knows, he may shine in GP and shock us all!! I would take a grid spot if it was ever offered and I have zero race experience.
on a side note....I thought it was interesting that Edwards ran a 1:48.717 in race 1 and Bayliss ran a 1:48.389 in race 2 (Edwards took pole in 1:49.021) at Imola in 2002 on 1000cc twins. For Imola 2010 Haslam ran a 1:48.966 in race 1 and Checa ran a 1:48.877....with more power, and traction control aids they were slower. Kinda wish Edwards and Balyiss showed up on their 2002 bikes and raced with them!!
That is interesting, but it is worth bearing in mind that the track is slightly different now, and the current track surface in Imola is widely considered to be crap.
very true...and it was not a spec tire series and Bayliss and Edwards both running Michelins, I am sure with plenty of GP technology.
Attachments
I believe Yamaha said they gained 8hp, but the big change was that Yamaha added a new carbon fiber fuel cell with greater capacity. More powerful, a bit lighter, and it carries enough fuel to go the distance.
Thats obviously a load of rubbish.
But i agree Cal is right to take this chance. It might not work out but its worth a shot.
Joined Oct 2006
3K Posts | 34+
Tar Heel State
It's great Crutchlow is headed to MotoGP, but I have to ask, is he the strongest Brit? I don't think he is, but I believe Dorna are desperate to get another Brit into the series and Crutchlow took the bait. I think Rea or Haslm would be stronger in MotoGP than Crutch based off this past season.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Plus the track was green from all the rain. The times were not really different from last years, actually a hair faster.
