Puig's open letter to Schwantz
Discussion
Puig, Dani Pedrosa's manager, pens an open letter to Schwantz in response to comments the former 500cc champ made about Pedrosa. I enjoyed reading this:
Alberto Puig said:
"With regards to the statement made by Mr. Kevin Schwantz over the weekend of the Grand Prix in Texas, I feel I should share my opinion on the matter which refers directly to myself.
From the sporting point of view, I will limit myself solely to statistics and the archives, so we are talking about 100% fact as opposed to opinions or the thoughts of somebody who was here years ago.
Literally speaking, Mr. Schwantz commented that ‘Dani Pedrosa has not won anything in eight years’.
Well, let us analyse that. For starters, bear in mind that Pedrosa has three world titles to his name (one in 125s and two in 250s) to the one of Schwantz in 500s. I have no doubt whatsoever, having been a 500 rider myself, that one single 500 title is more important than those of the other categories – that is true. However what you cannot do is detract from the three titles Dani has won in the intermediate classes. Dani and all riders throughout history have achieved World Championship titles in those categories. They were all great champions, regardless of the engine displacement they did it with, and they all deserve respect.
To cite some data, we could say that Pedrosa has a total of 45 Grand Prix victories, while the Texan is on 25 (so it is almost double). Of those 45 victories for Dani, 22 have been in the top class; added to that is the fact that Pedrosa is credited with 113 podium finishes – 72 in the MotoGP class to Schwantz’s 51 – and 55 fastest laps (35 of those 55 in MotoGP) to Schwantz’s 26.
If we refer to this data - which is clearly in favour of Pedrosa – to say that Dani has not won anything in eight years is typical of someone who does not know what he is talking about and is very disrespectful.
Even so, Mr. Schwantz, Dani is still yet to win the title of titles – I will grant you that. But you also have to bear in mind the many adversities he has had to overcome during his career, not least in the way of injuries. I remind you that you were forced to pack up your career because of a very bad wrist injury; well, this particular rider has over time hurt most of his body, but is still giving it everything.
Mr. Schwantz, Dani has not yet won the title, but let me tell you something that you are not going to like but which does highlight your arrogance because this is how it happened. You have that title – which took you eight years since your first race in 1986 – but let me tell you that the reason is because Wayne Rainey crashed at Misano and had to stop competing that year, which meant you practically won the title by default. You were a great rider – super spectacular, too – but by looking just at the results, you always stood in the shadow of Eddie Lawson and then Wayne Rainey. So do not brag too much about being a champion because it is true that you only won it due to circumstances.
You also mention that Dani should have pursued his career without having anybody constantly by his side (notably, without having me in the way). May I remind you that - during the era of the 80s and 90s when a certain Mr. Schwantz competed - while most riders would usually travel around Europe with a friend or companion, he would never take a step without having his parents (and that is both of them) by his side. The truth is that it was unusual at that time to be working in such a way and it rather gave off the image of a boy who needed his parents close to him all day long. When you consider his recent words about me, does this not beg the question: had he not had his parents by his side all day long, protecting him, might he have won more titles? Reflect on that, Mr. Schwantz.
Aside from that, I would say to you that since I retired from racing I have worked very hard on the subject of promoting riders; usually with Dani Pedrosa, but I have also helped and directed at certain times the careers of riders like Casey Stoner, Toni Elias, Alvaro Bautista, Marc Marquez and Julian Simon. And all of them, all of them, have become World Champions.
You, Mr. Schwantz, have a riding school in Texas that for years has been offering help to upcoming riders. To this day, not one of them has managed to even qualify to come to race in Europe. Nothing at all. So, in that field, zero success.
Mr. Schwantz, you probably don’t remember this particular episode because you have experienced many others like it, but I remember it clearly:
In 1994, I was honoured to share the podium with you and Michael Doohan at Hockenheim – that original, fascinating and brutal circuit. Doohan got away a few laps from the end and I had the pleasure of fighting with you for second place on the podium. You beat me fair and square and you did it because you were so much better than I. But I remember that, at that race, my Honda was faster than your Suzuki and I thought I would be able to use your slipstream to pass on the long straights through the forest; that was until we reached the chicanes and the stadium section, under braking, when I was proven wrong. With just a few laps to go, I swore inside my helmet and then said to myself: ‘What a guy, he can brake so late!’ At the end of that race, on the podium, I felt a real respect and admiration for you – for a man who had just taught me how to brake right on the limit with a competition motorcycle.
I sadly feel, having now read your article which I think is full of disrespect towards a great champion like Dani Pedrosa and many others who have achieved titles in the intermediate categories, that the respect I had for you on that day at Hockenheim in 1994 has now completely disappeared.
Kevin, it was your moment and you won the 500 title, but even champions can be wrong and should know how to rectify things when they are required to."
From the sporting point of view, I will limit myself solely to statistics and the archives, so we are talking about 100% fact as opposed to opinions or the thoughts of somebody who was here years ago.
Literally speaking, Mr. Schwantz commented that ‘Dani Pedrosa has not won anything in eight years’.
Well, let us analyse that. For starters, bear in mind that Pedrosa has three world titles to his name (one in 125s and two in 250s) to the one of Schwantz in 500s. I have no doubt whatsoever, having been a 500 rider myself, that one single 500 title is more important than those of the other categories – that is true. However what you cannot do is detract from the three titles Dani has won in the intermediate classes. Dani and all riders throughout history have achieved World Championship titles in those categories. They were all great champions, regardless of the engine displacement they did it with, and they all deserve respect.
To cite some data, we could say that Pedrosa has a total of 45 Grand Prix victories, while the Texan is on 25 (so it is almost double). Of those 45 victories for Dani, 22 have been in the top class; added to that is the fact that Pedrosa is credited with 113 podium finishes – 72 in the MotoGP class to Schwantz’s 51 – and 55 fastest laps (35 of those 55 in MotoGP) to Schwantz’s 26.
If we refer to this data - which is clearly in favour of Pedrosa – to say that Dani has not won anything in eight years is typical of someone who does not know what he is talking about and is very disrespectful.
Even so, Mr. Schwantz, Dani is still yet to win the title of titles – I will grant you that. But you also have to bear in mind the many adversities he has had to overcome during his career, not least in the way of injuries. I remind you that you were forced to pack up your career because of a very bad wrist injury; well, this particular rider has over time hurt most of his body, but is still giving it everything.
Mr. Schwantz, Dani has not yet won the title, but let me tell you something that you are not going to like but which does highlight your arrogance because this is how it happened. You have that title – which took you eight years since your first race in 1986 – but let me tell you that the reason is because Wayne Rainey crashed at Misano and had to stop competing that year, which meant you practically won the title by default. You were a great rider – super spectacular, too – but by looking just at the results, you always stood in the shadow of Eddie Lawson and then Wayne Rainey. So do not brag too much about being a champion because it is true that you only won it due to circumstances.
You also mention that Dani should have pursued his career without having anybody constantly by his side (notably, without having me in the way). May I remind you that - during the era of the 80s and 90s when a certain Mr. Schwantz competed - while most riders would usually travel around Europe with a friend or companion, he would never take a step without having his parents (and that is both of them) by his side. The truth is that it was unusual at that time to be working in such a way and it rather gave off the image of a boy who needed his parents close to him all day long. When you consider his recent words about me, does this not beg the question: had he not had his parents by his side all day long, protecting him, might he have won more titles? Reflect on that, Mr. Schwantz.
Aside from that, I would say to you that since I retired from racing I have worked very hard on the subject of promoting riders; usually with Dani Pedrosa, but I have also helped and directed at certain times the careers of riders like Casey Stoner, Toni Elias, Alvaro Bautista, Marc Marquez and Julian Simon. And all of them, all of them, have become World Champions.
You, Mr. Schwantz, have a riding school in Texas that for years has been offering help to upcoming riders. To this day, not one of them has managed to even qualify to come to race in Europe. Nothing at all. So, in that field, zero success.
Mr. Schwantz, you probably don’t remember this particular episode because you have experienced many others like it, but I remember it clearly:
In 1994, I was honoured to share the podium with you and Michael Doohan at Hockenheim – that original, fascinating and brutal circuit. Doohan got away a few laps from the end and I had the pleasure of fighting with you for second place on the podium. You beat me fair and square and you did it because you were so much better than I. But I remember that, at that race, my Honda was faster than your Suzuki and I thought I would be able to use your slipstream to pass on the long straights through the forest; that was until we reached the chicanes and the stadium section, under braking, when I was proven wrong. With just a few laps to go, I swore inside my helmet and then said to myself: ‘What a guy, he can brake so late!’ At the end of that race, on the podium, I felt a real respect and admiration for you – for a man who had just taught me how to brake right on the limit with a competition motorcycle.
I sadly feel, having now read your article which I think is full of disrespect towards a great champion like Dani Pedrosa and many others who have achieved titles in the intermediate categories, that the respect I had for you on that day at Hockenheim in 1994 has now completely disappeared.
Kevin, it was your moment and you won the 500 title, but even champions can be wrong and should know how to rectify things when they are required to."
Funny if Schwantz goes & wins Suzuka 8 hrs this year.
Funnier still if Dani won MotoGP championship too
:
I do think that Pedrosa has, for the past few years, looked like the best rider to never be champ, especially last year when he had the best chance.
However, you have to give it to him, he is a trier & as Puig says, with a collection of injuries.
It does to to put Schwantz' career into perspective.
Funnier still if Dani won MotoGP championship too
:I do think that Pedrosa has, for the past few years, looked like the best rider to never be champ, especially last year when he had the best chance.
However, you have to give it to him, he is a trier & as Puig says, with a collection of injuries.
It does to to put Schwantz' career into perspective.
Ouch. I think Puig's right, but Dani does look like he'll be a nearly man.
It's a shame, because I think he deserves a title in the sense that he should be remembered alongside Lorenzo and Stoner as the guys that broke Rossi's dominance and if he doesn't get his championship he won't be.
It's a shame, because I think he deserves a title in the sense that he should be remembered alongside Lorenzo and Stoner as the guys that broke Rossi's dominance and if he doesn't get his championship he won't be.
sprinter1050 said:
I do think that Pedrosa has, for the past few years, looked like the best rider to never be champ, especially last year when he had the best chance.
I concur.I have no idea of the answer, but how do those stats stack up if you place them chronologically? In other words, how many years, for example, do Pedbot's wins span vs Schwantz's? And out of how many race starts?
To be clear, I'm not defending either party, I just wonder whether those stats are what they seem to be or whether they're short on analysis?
To be clear, I'm not defending either party, I just wonder whether those stats are what they seem to be or whether they're short on analysis?
Great letter. Surprising he brought up Schwantz winning his only title due to Rainey's injury... Bit close to the mark - a title is a title and injuries part of the game. Similar happened with Criville's title in the year that Doohan retired with injury.
You could argue that the best rider didn't win, but for various reasons that is often the case in Motorsport.
There are plenty of examples of 'inferior' riders winning world championships due to the luck, mechanical issues or injuries of a 'superior' rider they were competing against, but does that diminish their titles? Nicky Haydon, Alex Criville, Kenny Roberts Junior, to mention a few in recent times.
Will be interesting to see if Schwantz responds given how badly he seems to have put the boot in originally.
You could argue that the best rider didn't win, but for various reasons that is often the case in Motorsport.
There are plenty of examples of 'inferior' riders winning world championships due to the luck, mechanical issues or injuries of a 'superior' rider they were competing against, but does that diminish their titles? Nicky Haydon, Alex Criville, Kenny Roberts Junior, to mention a few in recent times.
Will be interesting to see if Schwantz responds given how badly he seems to have put the boot in originally.
graphene said:
CAPP0 said:
I have no idea of the answer, but how do those stats stack up if you place them chronologically? In other words, how many years, for example, do Pedbot's wins span vs Schwantz's? And out of how many race starts?
To be clear, I'm not defending either party, I just wonder whether those stats are what they seem to be or whether they're short on analysis?
He mentions it in the middle part: " You have that title – which took you eight years since your first race in 1986.."To be clear, I'm not defending either party, I just wonder whether those stats are what they seem to be or whether they're short on analysis?
Rawwr said:
Let's not forget that Schwantz spouted similar vitriol about Stoner before doing a massive u-turn and basically wanting to be bummed by him. Schwantz is a dick.
I forgive him. I loved the way he hung it all out and was so on the edge of control all of the time!He may be a Mansell?. Great in the car but total bellend out...
Randy Mamola, Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Alex Barros, Luca Cadalora, John Kosinski, Carlos Checa, Colin Edwards, Marco Melandri, Norick Abe, Sete Gibernau....... To name but a few... Have all at one time or another, been on factory bikes, but never won the premier class...
Do genuine fans think any less of them??? I doubt it
Do genuine fans think any less of them??? I doubt it
Rawwr said:
Let's not forget that Schwantz spouted similar vitriol about Stoner before doing a massive u-turn and basically wanting to be bummed by him. Schwantz is a dick.
This.Just look at all the issues surrounding the promotion of the GP at Austin, all linked to Schwant, who was promoting it etc . . Still onthe courts I think.
It is a shame that Schwantz seems to take a position of spouting what he thinks the fans want to hear. However the real fans of the sport don't take to his vitriol and comments well. Being a brash American is one thing, being a disrespectful, I'll informed loud yank is another.
Respect to achievements, but please shut up or say something far more respectful.
What is it with Americans that need their parents at race meetings, I know Cal's Ad does his pit oars, but it's de,finitely not the same relationship as Spies and Schwantz set up. I know 80% of them don't have passports, do they get scared, does mummy make them cheeseburgers while Dad plays the fiddle?
and i bet he never had his folks at all his races.Yazza54 said:
Wow. Owned.
Taken from MotoGP website. I would assume its real:http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/kevin+schwantz+...
MJDM said:
Yazza54 said:
Wow. Owned.
Taken from MotoGP website. I would assume its real:http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/kevin+schwantz+...
Interesting read. Certainly didn't pull any punches! Thanks for posting.
I thought the reference to their relative success since retiring from riding was a bit harsh. There isn't the same culture/fan base/market for GP riders in America so Schwantz is going to struggle to get the same hit rate from a school based there. Its easier for Europeans to come up.
I thought the reference to their relative success since retiring from riding was a bit harsh. There isn't the same culture/fan base/market for GP riders in America so Schwantz is going to struggle to get the same hit rate from a school based there. Its easier for Europeans to come up.
graphene said:
From the Motogp.com link above:
Schwantz:
“Dani lacks nothing, but he has too much – like Alberto Puig. Dani needs to reach another level by himself. He is like a child who cannot be freed because his parents are holding him back. I like Dani, but he’s a rider who has been with Honda for eight years and not won anything. I would like him to prove me wrong, but I don’t think that will happen.”
Pedrosa:
“I recommend that you check my career statistics and then maybe we can talk. I may never have won the MotoGP World Championship, but have achieved things many others have not.”
After reading the quotes above, Puig's retort seems somewhat pointless and long-winded, and makes more of drama out of it that is necessary. Schwantz is right, I feel, something needs to change for Pedrosa or there will be too many fast, experienced riders ready to take his seat next season.
Does no-one else read Schwantz's quote as Dani being with Honda for 8 years and not winning anything as solely talking about the MotoGP title rather than not winning ANYTHING EVER?Schwantz:
“Dani lacks nothing, but he has too much – like Alberto Puig. Dani needs to reach another level by himself. He is like a child who cannot be freed because his parents are holding him back. I like Dani, but he’s a rider who has been with Honda for eight years and not won anything. I would like him to prove me wrong, but I don’t think that will happen.”
Pedrosa:
“I recommend that you check my career statistics and then maybe we can talk. I may never have won the MotoGP World Championship, but have achieved things many others have not.”
After reading the quotes above, Puig's retort seems somewhat pointless and long-winded, and makes more of drama out of it that is necessary. Schwantz is right, I feel, something needs to change for Pedrosa or there will be too many fast, experienced riders ready to take his seat next season.
k up" and called a mamies boy just for good measure.
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