Opinions on chris Walker
Discussion
He has always been, in my opinion, a strong contender, but nothing more. Maybe it is all about the timing but never seemed to be able to ride consistently at the front in the championships that matter most.
He was great in BSB and great to watch against Hodgson but I feel he never really made a mark on the International scene and ergo could have been marked on his school report as: Must try harder.
A very likeable guy by all accounts, but that doesn't win races.
I will compare him to JT who gave an excellent display of how a British Rider should ride in the face of International competition at Assen today.
He was great in BSB and great to watch against Hodgson but I feel he never really made a mark on the International scene and ergo could have been marked on his school report as: Must try harder.
A very likeable guy by all accounts, but that doesn't win races.
I will compare him to JT who gave an excellent display of how a British Rider should ride in the face of International competition at Assen today.
[quote=veetwin]He has always been, in my opinion, a strong contender, but nothing more.quote]
My thoughts exactly! Think hes had his time, he certainly wont win anymore championships. Maybe things would have been different if his Gixer didnt spill its guts in that amazing season against Hodgy?? Hes never been the same rider since.
My thoughts exactly! Think hes had his time, he certainly wont win anymore championships. Maybe things would have been different if his Gixer didnt spill its guts in that amazing season against Hodgy?? Hes never been the same rider since.
Farky said:
veetwin said:
He has always been, in my opinion, a strong contender, but nothing more.
My thoughts exactly! Think hes had his time, he certainly wont win anymore championships. Maybe things would have been different if his Gixer didnt spill its guts in that amazing season against Hodgy?? Hes never been the same rider since.
ditto
shame as i realy like himI agree he has not been spraying the champagne much recently....but for me he is still as strong & gutsy a racer as ever......a few points to ponder..
..the Suzuki is perhaps still not as good a package as the factory Honda`s or the Airwaves Ducati..even Byrne last year had his work cut out..
..T.C is a hard system to judge regarding how well the teams have their system set up..
..Lavilla,Kyanari or Jonnie Ray may clear off at the front but have you noticed how the director of the racing on ITV this year spends more time tracking Chris Walkers exploits up & down the field....it`s because he is just so exciting to watch racing and a hard fought 3rd etc caught on camera is what is keeping the BSB scene extra lively at the minute..
The pace is very hot this year...as always...but look at the talent down the field who are riding round getting nowhere near the front..
Jonothon Ray & Camier seem to be the new blood who are getting the job done...
Walker has never needed to win races in my eyes,his career is full of nearly`s...and thats what makes him so great to watch.. as long as he is on the limit in the top 4, the race has an extra excitment that would be missing if he were not there....I hope he gets a win soon & can put some consistancy back in his results...The sheer amount of work,talent,luck & racecraft needed to win in BSB now must be a massive task..
..the Suzuki is perhaps still not as good a package as the factory Honda`s or the Airwaves Ducati..even Byrne last year had his work cut out..
..T.C is a hard system to judge regarding how well the teams have their system set up..
..Lavilla,Kyanari or Jonnie Ray may clear off at the front but have you noticed how the director of the racing on ITV this year spends more time tracking Chris Walkers exploits up & down the field....it`s because he is just so exciting to watch racing and a hard fought 3rd etc caught on camera is what is keeping the BSB scene extra lively at the minute..
The pace is very hot this year...as always...but look at the talent down the field who are riding round getting nowhere near the front..
Jonothon Ray & Camier seem to be the new blood who are getting the job done...
Walker has never needed to win races in my eyes,his career is full of nearly`s...and thats what makes him so great to watch.. as long as he is on the limit in the top 4, the race has an extra excitment that would be missing if he were not there....I hope he gets a win soon & can put some consistancy back in his results...The sheer amount of work,talent,luck & racecraft needed to win in BSB now must be a massive task..
Edited by F.M on Sunday 29th April 21:15
I really like Chris Walker. He has a pretty agressive riding style and i always enjoy seeing him 'back-end' it into corners. However i wouldn't say that style always makes him the quickest..
I'm not sure.. sometimes i think he just tries too hard.
However i think the series would definitely be a worse place without him. And he is always the guy i keep my fingers crossed that he'll win..
I'm not sure.. sometimes i think he just tries too hard.
However i think the series would definitely be a worse place without him. And he is always the guy i keep my fingers crossed that he'll win..
Saw him up close today at a number of points on the circuit and he has the commitment and the speed at all the major corners, where he always seem to lose time was out of the two realy slow corners, is this Chris or TC ?
Outbraked himself a couple of times too, but I think this is Chris on the limit.
Cal none to shabby on the same bike was 1 sec a lap slower.... by my stop watch.
Wins by mid season I predict..
Outbraked himself a couple of times too, but I think this is Chris on the limit.
Cal none to shabby on the same bike was 1 sec a lap slower.... by my stop watch.
Wins by mid season I predict..
I agree - an almost man. Almost as in really close, but never quite made it for many reasons. still counts as one of the best British riders of recent times, but has never really had the breaks with the right bike.
As was said above - today at Silverstone he was really trying too hard, on what was (to me at least) a clearly less capable bike. It was scraping everywhere, when all of the others were having a deal easier.
Met him on a number of times and you couldn't hope to meet a nicer bloke. Really nice guy.
Still one of my favourites.
Now James Toseland - how much has he improved this year. The guy is riding awesomely. So much more aggressive than I have ever seen him. I was never a real fan, and thought that he lucked his world title, but riding like he is so far this season I think the world is his oyster.
Awesome racing today both at Silverstone and Assen. Wish I'd been at Assen though - Silverstone was bloody freezing....
As was said above - today at Silverstone he was really trying too hard, on what was (to me at least) a clearly less capable bike. It was scraping everywhere, when all of the others were having a deal easier.
Met him on a number of times and you couldn't hope to meet a nicer bloke. Really nice guy.
Still one of my favourites.
Now James Toseland - how much has he improved this year. The guy is riding awesomely. So much more aggressive than I have ever seen him. I was never a real fan, and thought that he lucked his world title, but riding like he is so far this season I think the world is his oyster.
Awesome racing today both at Silverstone and Assen. Wish I'd been at Assen though - Silverstone was bloody freezing....
I think it's too early to judge. I think the GSXR's not as competitive at WSB and without Denning on hand, the teams's not going to be the same either.
Walker's riding for me, unquestionable. Quick, brave and always hungry to prove himself. He kicked Nieto & Laconi's asses well & truly in WSB too, taking their only win on an uncompetitive ZX10.
The BSB seems to be really close to me, though HRC have had a very strong start. As already said, he's making Cal look average at the moment.
Wait until the second half of the season unfolds.
Walker's riding for me, unquestionable. Quick, brave and always hungry to prove himself. He kicked Nieto & Laconi's asses well & truly in WSB too, taking their only win on an uncompetitive ZX10.
The BSB seems to be really close to me, though HRC have had a very strong start. As already said, he's making Cal look average at the moment.
Wait until the second half of the season unfolds.
gsxr750steve said:
Wish I'd been at Assen though - Silverstone was bloody freezing....
Assen was gorgeous. 25 degrees
Fantastic racing although Corser (was cheering for him) fell off in race 1 and was limping like mad in between the races. Still put on a decent display in the 2nd race though. About Chris, I was always a big fan of his. Great bloke, nice to talk to and riding very agressively. Was close to tears when his Gixxer blew up in 2000.
I must be the only person who hates watching him ride!
I am full of admiration for the guy from when he was new on the superbike scene, through horrific knee injuries and all the other various afflictions he has had, but I just hate watching him ride. I enjoy watching the classy riders who just don't look fast, from Kocinski to Biaggi, Cadalora, Troy Corser on a qualifying lap, amongst many others. I also enjoy watching those riders who are fast, and look to be right on the edge in a controlled way, like Rossi, Bayliss, Melandri, and even as far as Elias. But Walker just does not seem to ultimately have the fine control over the bike that the above have - the corrections to slides and lean angles are always too pronounced, indicating he does not have the same sensitivity and quickness of reaction. So, I'm sorry to say, I was pleased when Hodgson pipped him, because I think the classier and better rider won. Having said all that, I would love to be able to ride like Walker or any of the above!
Re Toseland, I thought him overrated right up until last year, when I think he truly came of age on a bike that clearly wasn't the best.
I am full of admiration for the guy from when he was new on the superbike scene, through horrific knee injuries and all the other various afflictions he has had, but I just hate watching him ride. I enjoy watching the classy riders who just don't look fast, from Kocinski to Biaggi, Cadalora, Troy Corser on a qualifying lap, amongst many others. I also enjoy watching those riders who are fast, and look to be right on the edge in a controlled way, like Rossi, Bayliss, Melandri, and even as far as Elias. But Walker just does not seem to ultimately have the fine control over the bike that the above have - the corrections to slides and lean angles are always too pronounced, indicating he does not have the same sensitivity and quickness of reaction. So, I'm sorry to say, I was pleased when Hodgson pipped him, because I think the classier and better rider won. Having said all that, I would love to be able to ride like Walker or any of the above!
Re Toseland, I thought him overrated right up until last year, when I think he truly came of age on a bike that clearly wasn't the best.
NAS said:
Was close to tears when his Gixxer blew up in 2000.
I don't think you were the only one at the time either, I was a Hodgeson fan, but watching Walker walk past us on his way back to the pits, after his engine blew moved us all.
He's been around along time now, remember him walking out of the Old Spice Ducati team? Then he rode for Boost Yamaha, he did it for very little money & that was one of his FOUR runner up positions in the BSB Championship. I know that second place maybe the first loser to some, but I'd give him a lot of credit for his achievements.
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