My friend, it sounds to0 much like what is happening at Ducati, developing in circles. I don't have the patience for them to learn be usingHaslam as the test monkey. The dude isn't getting any younger, and when you're stuck developing, the fire burns out in your soul to win (just ask Edwards...hahaha, harsh I know). Honda GP has made a few leaps forward, and one was to go with Italian electronics. The Germans want to have the pleasure of saying they won with German produced gadgetry, but the Italians have been developing it more years and got the .... down packed. They hired an Italian to run the team and then they didn't like his style so they cleared house and kept the German development and frankly its seems to have gone down hill. But what can I say bro, I will have to hope for the best, but I'm not holding my breath. My favorite WSBK rider is being wasted on BMW while my favorite rider in GP is being wasted at Ducati. FML.
Its an interesting one this. I too think that at 29 years old, Leon should not be spending this time trying to develop this bike when in my opinion he could be a WSBK title challenger on one of the other factory rides ( Aprilia, Yamaha, Althea Duc etc ).
Perhaps BMW was the best option for Leon anyway. There was talk of some CRT rides, but that probably gonna be a career maker for many. Certainly not in it's first year when we really have no idea of how uncompetitive these bikes might be.
There was talk of Aprilia wanting him to replace Camier, but it was well documented at the time that none of the front runners wanted that seat because of the issues with Biaggi and Aprilia's insistence that Max would be their No.1 guy no matter who they signed.
Then there is the issues with Yamaha's withdrawl, Alstare possibly pulling out, Paul Bird getting the boot from Kawasaki. Perhaps Leon has taken a view that at least I am at a full factory team and one that has the money to put the issues right.
Second in the 2010 Championship on Alstare Suzuki was impressive for me. He was consistently winning or on the podium until round 9.
In 2008 he finished second in the BSB championship ( not bad, but not a title winner ). That said, racing that year was Crutchlow, Camier, Sykes, Byrne, Laverty, Ellison, Martin etc etc etc.
Its amazing the effect the electronics are having on these riders as a whole. Look at Johnny Rea. The availability of a new electronics package appears to have transformed that Honda pretty much overnight. The engine braking is under control and the bike is just more manageable in every aspect. Johnny said that he can now concentrate on corner entry and exit. Before the new package, he had to make sure the bike was settled under braking before even thinking about racing line etc. Before the new package, the bike was too powerful and aggressive.
Johnny now looks like he is the fastest guy out there on the evidence of the last weekend.
Leon is getting any younger, but nor is Checa. BMW may have been the best option for Haslam financially, for stability and perhaps because he thinks they may get it right.
