Le Mans MotoGP
Discussion
Interesting one this. Marquez not tested here before and already seems to be playing down his chances, meanwhile Rossi fancies his own chances of a good result. Rossi has said it's a Yamaha track (4 M1 winners in past 5 races there), hopefully that also bodes well for Cal - though I wouldn't rule out the Hondas!
Off track, Cal's boss has confirmed that Yamaha have spoken to Pol Espargaro over 2014;
"I do not know the depth of those conversations, whether something has been agreed, is almost agreed or whether there is still a lot to sort out. What I do know is that Yamaha has four bikes and, when Cal Crutchlow is the only rider who is contracted only for this year, some think Espargaro could take his place."
"I love Cal and will be keeping him informed of what I know, simply to allow him as much time as possible to remain attractive on the rider market - whether that will be to stay at Yamaha or to go somewhere else."
Cal obviously not impressed, but by the sounds of it he is the one who insisted on a one year deal, to allow him the flexibility to take on a factory seat. Seems barking that they'd get rid of him, surely there would be room for manoeuvre so that they could prise Smith off the other MotoGP machine and stick him on one of the Yamaha powered CRTs, while he continues his development? The lack of prototypes is a bit of a joke.
Off track, Cal's boss has confirmed that Yamaha have spoken to Pol Espargaro over 2014;
"I do not know the depth of those conversations, whether something has been agreed, is almost agreed or whether there is still a lot to sort out. What I do know is that Yamaha has four bikes and, when Cal Crutchlow is the only rider who is contracted only for this year, some think Espargaro could take his place."
"I love Cal and will be keeping him informed of what I know, simply to allow him as much time as possible to remain attractive on the rider market - whether that will be to stay at Yamaha or to go somewhere else."
Cal obviously not impressed, but by the sounds of it he is the one who insisted on a one year deal, to allow him the flexibility to take on a factory seat. Seems barking that they'd get rid of him, surely there would be room for manoeuvre so that they could prise Smith off the other MotoGP machine and stick him on one of the Yamaha powered CRTs, while he continues his development? The lack of prototypes is a bit of a joke.
My thoughts exactly - surely stick Pol on a Yama-CRT and see how he goes, or even ditch Smith before dropping Cal. Been seriously unimpressed with Smith, sadly, as many expected.
Why are they getting so excited about Pol any how? I've no doubt he'll be a good rider, but I'd look to his brother first; before thinking of dropping Crutchlow! I guess even at only 27, his age is going against him, considering the Tech 3 feeder team ethos.
Why are they getting so excited about Pol any how? I've no doubt he'll be a good rider, but I'd look to his brother first; before thinking of dropping Crutchlow! I guess even at only 27, his age is going against him, considering the Tech 3 feeder team ethos.
The rest of the Tech 3 bosses interview (On Crash) states that at the end of the day Cal would have left Tech 3 for the Ducati or any factory ride so there is not much loyalty between rider or team - Plus if you were Yamaha would you not just slightly get sick of him publicly moaning about non-factory this and that.......The writing was on the wall in my opinion.
Great rider just hope he now gets a decent seat......
Great rider just hope he now gets a decent seat......
We'll be there Sunday ...
Smith - too early. Doesn't matter as he did a 2yr deal which every rookie should. Personally I'm impressed, he's taking big chunks of time off his Friday to Saturday sessions and finishing races. If you measure him to Marquez you'll be dissapointed, why not measure him to Spies, Toseland or even Crutchlow in their first years.
Crutchlow has 4 years experience, Smith has 3 races on a MGP bike and everyones dissapointed, poor lad needs some time. No I don't think he's Marquez, but it's amazing that Herve Poncharral and Yamaha Aren't dissapointed after 3 races, but the British fans are.
Crutchlow - keeps shooting his mouth off, which is not making him friends at the factory I imagine, i also don't imagine he brings much money to the team and I don't think he'll ever get on a factory Yamaha unless someone leaves thru injury or he starts to get on the podium regularly.
Spies got there with performances and as the USA market is important to the Japanese manufacturers. The UK market is chicken feed in comparison. Why has Nicky Hayden kept a factory seat for so long? It's not thru results is it....
Espagaro - 2nd in Moto2 to Marquez. The only person to consistently take the fight to him last year and therefore if Yamaha don't take him, they may have to compete against him.
UK v Spain - after the football results in the UK it's the cricket, then F1, then snooker, then rugby, then tiddly winks, cheese flinging and feck knows what else.
In Spain, it's football and then motorcycle racing, particularly GP and not worlds. Then F1 but only because of Alonso.
F1 = 80k fans at race
MGP = 111k fans at race and they've more than one a year.
Crutchlow is fighting a losing battle, it's unfair, but its how it works and the money Espagaro can bring will have an influence as well, he's got the right passport and he's talented and he's young . . . Crutchlow hasn't delivered an more than is expected of a good satellite rider, brings no money and won't get much exposure.
Crutchlow has to perform so outstandingly well that the Yamaha factory, or any factory for that matter can not fail to ignore or fail to consider him. But he is not doing that yet.
The only 'factory' ride he'll get will be Suzuki. Perhaps a satellite Duc, or CRT Yamaha when they come in next year. There's obviously concern about Bradl's form, so maybe that's an opportunity, how many chances can Bautista have etc etc
The major's can only put 4 prototype bikes on the grid, so they all want younger riders who can develop to ride these bikes over a couple of years, plus an older hand .. Crutchlow's not in either camp when you look at who is else is on the grid for Yamaha. Older hand yes, never won a GP, wrong passport etc
I'll be in the in the paddock and a box above start/finish on Sunday, can't wait. Crutchlow needs to get it onto the podium this weekend.... My view is he needs to focus on beating Rossi over the course of the year . . .then he'll be taken really seriously.
Smith - too early. Doesn't matter as he did a 2yr deal which every rookie should. Personally I'm impressed, he's taking big chunks of time off his Friday to Saturday sessions and finishing races. If you measure him to Marquez you'll be dissapointed, why not measure him to Spies, Toseland or even Crutchlow in their first years.
Crutchlow has 4 years experience, Smith has 3 races on a MGP bike and everyones dissapointed, poor lad needs some time. No I don't think he's Marquez, but it's amazing that Herve Poncharral and Yamaha Aren't dissapointed after 3 races, but the British fans are.
Crutchlow - keeps shooting his mouth off, which is not making him friends at the factory I imagine, i also don't imagine he brings much money to the team and I don't think he'll ever get on a factory Yamaha unless someone leaves thru injury or he starts to get on the podium regularly.
Spies got there with performances and as the USA market is important to the Japanese manufacturers. The UK market is chicken feed in comparison. Why has Nicky Hayden kept a factory seat for so long? It's not thru results is it....
Espagaro - 2nd in Moto2 to Marquez. The only person to consistently take the fight to him last year and therefore if Yamaha don't take him, they may have to compete against him.
UK v Spain - after the football results in the UK it's the cricket, then F1, then snooker, then rugby, then tiddly winks, cheese flinging and feck knows what else.
In Spain, it's football and then motorcycle racing, particularly GP and not worlds. Then F1 but only because of Alonso.
F1 = 80k fans at race
MGP = 111k fans at race and they've more than one a year.
Crutchlow is fighting a losing battle, it's unfair, but its how it works and the money Espagaro can bring will have an influence as well, he's got the right passport and he's talented and he's young . . . Crutchlow hasn't delivered an more than is expected of a good satellite rider, brings no money and won't get much exposure.
Crutchlow has to perform so outstandingly well that the Yamaha factory, or any factory for that matter can not fail to ignore or fail to consider him. But he is not doing that yet.
The only 'factory' ride he'll get will be Suzuki. Perhaps a satellite Duc, or CRT Yamaha when they come in next year. There's obviously concern about Bradl's form, so maybe that's an opportunity, how many chances can Bautista have etc etc
The major's can only put 4 prototype bikes on the grid, so they all want younger riders who can develop to ride these bikes over a couple of years, plus an older hand .. Crutchlow's not in either camp when you look at who is else is on the grid for Yamaha. Older hand yes, never won a GP, wrong passport etc
I'll be in the in the paddock and a box above start/finish on Sunday, can't wait. Crutchlow needs to get it onto the podium this weekend.... My view is he needs to focus on beating Rossi over the course of the year . . .then he'll be taken really seriously.
Don't get me wrong, I genuinely hope Smith proves me wrong. I'll keep routing for him now doubt! I'm disappointed in the literal sense - I wanted him to do well.
But can anyone tell me when a rookie on a comparable package, taking into account the 'depth' of the field these days, that has had such results? Not being an arse here, genuinely - jog my memory please!
But can anyone tell me when a rookie on a comparable package, taking into account the 'depth' of the field these days, that has had such results? Not being an arse here, genuinely - jog my memory please!
J B L said:
Johno said:
The only 'factory' ride he'll get will be Suzuki.
Is it a sure thing that they are coming back?Dorna are playing hard ball with Suzuki, demanding they make a longer term commitment to the grid, Suzuki I imagine want to come and play, but if they're no where near they want to take their bike home. However Dora are trying to protect the grid size and encourage a competitive labdscape for slots, hence filling it with CRT bikes. I don't think it's certain they'll be back . . . far from it.
Testing with the other bikes after Catalan GP (June?). Wonder who will ride it?
I don't think there was a lot wrong with their last bike, seeing how well RDP went when testing it (and how Bautista has gone since on the Honda perhaps).
Seems ridiculous that Dorna would want to block teams entering the series. I saw a report that Marc VDS are evaluating MotoGP options for '14, including customer Honda bikes and Yamaha engines.
I don't think there was a lot wrong with their last bike, seeing how well RDP went when testing it (and how Bautista has gone since on the Honda perhaps).
Seems ridiculous that Dorna would want to block teams entering the series. I saw a report that Marc VDS are evaluating MotoGP options for '14, including customer Honda bikes and Yamaha engines.
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