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So what's been up with the Americans in MotoGP ? I watched the racing this morning and was a bit disappointed with both Spies and Hayden gaining early but waning in the latter laps.
It was nice to see veteran Colin Edwards gain some momentum and get his best finish of the season at 12th position.
Both the satellite Yamaha's beat Spies and then Crutchlow went wide giving Spies the 5th.
What do you folks think ? Is it the machine, form , both, attitude ???
Although I feel like Spies might break free in the next couple of races and get on the podium, he has been a bit unlucky at times.
Did you notice how Spies bike seemed to be loose but Lorenzo was dead solid.
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Definitely noticed that, that is what is so crazy, the satellite Yamaha's seem to pull faster in the corners too. Is there a conspiracy ????
Yeah it's getting frustrating to watch, especially since I think everyone had such high hopes for Spies. I wouldn't blame it on the bike at all.... just look at lorenzo. Unfortunately I think it boils down to a question of raw talent. I hope Spies has a breakthrough in the next few races and is able to land another factory ride next year and eventually compete for the title.... but every time he seems to be doing well, he goes and blows it.
Hayden had a great run, but I think it's all downhill from here. Same with Edwards.
Looks like we might need another young gun to step up and get it done.
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The tire issues are a bit disconcerting. Is it a QA issue with Bridgestone? Or is it a setup/riding style issue? (Both perhaps?)
Dovi had a better ride that Spies did today, certainly had better drive out of the corners that either Spies or Crutchlow. I didn't get a chance to see how Lorenzo looked since he was all alone all race, and there was minimal coverage of him.
I can definitely see circumstances leading to having no Americans in MotoGP next year. Colin Edwards moving on from the CRT experiment (WSBK perhaps?), Cal Crutchlow has been offered Hayden's seat, and Ben Spies isn't too convincing that he deserves his factory spot. So, if they don't get one of the few satellite rides left, and refuse to drop down to one of the CRT rides, they could both move on as well.
At this point, it comes down to Yamaha USA influencing the decision makers to keep an American on the factory bike, and whether or not that influence out-weighs the lack of results this season from Ben.
You realize the thread title is kind of a spoiler in itself, right?
Thread title edited
-Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
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The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650
I think spies is gun shy with respect to the tires after assen. Unfortunately if he doesn't shake this soon we will see his departure from MotoGP sooner rather than later. Reminds me of John Hopkins where so many factors came together that his talent just couldn't overcome
Do you think Spies general size has anything to do with it. The guy isn't small on that bike, maybe pushing it hard early to bee competitive and outrunning his tires in the long run?
Talent on those bikes is one thing, being wingo nuts is another. The aliens seem to skirt that fine line a lot closer than the mortals. Just looking at Stoner's style: his bike is moving ALL THE TIME. He's drifting and sliding in every corner it seems. Definitely looks like he's using the electronic to their full potential. Other riders look like they're more "conservative" and ride more graciously. Although Pedrobot took the victory the other day, (as much as I hate to say it since I don't like Picket Fence Stoner) Stoner probably could have taken him at the line. It's arguable that the rain caused him to crash since he's outridden the tires a few times earlier this year, but he and Lorenzo just see the finish line and manage the risks along the way. Marquez is a crude example of this too...but a bit of polishing to make his "risky" moves look intentionally smooth and he's gonna take the Premier class by storm.
On the topic of Spies, he doesn't have the setup so he doesn't have the confidence. A couple bad moments snowball into a dismal season. The guy can have all the talent in the world, but a loose bike with a fragil ego won't make him hang it all out there like Moaner. NH, well there's a reason the Ducs ALL finish last from the manufacturers. That guy rides his nuts off to finish what 6-7th most of the time?
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Probably not. Simoncelli was a tall lanky dude as well, just had to compensate by being more "active" on the bike.
How about Edwards...poor bastard on the crt suter(bmw) hopefully next season he will jump on something that works him..Speculation about ftr/honda
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At least as far as Spies is concerned, it seems like a lot of races for it to be blamed on tires when all the other Yamaha's are doing so well.
If it's in Spies head, then maybe he's not getting the bike setup as well as the others?
I think Spies has finally sorted out his issues and is riding where his talent level puts him, which is just off the front runners with a shot for an occasional podium. It is seeming like Spies has already reached the peak of his ability, but his competition just has more talent. Dovi has consistently been better no matter what he's riding and unlike Spies, Crutchlow has made more obvious progression.
Marketing strategy aside, unless Spies puts it on the box consistently for the remainder, Yamaha would be smart to dump him completely, give Crutchlow the factory ride, and try to get someone exciting like Iannone on the other tech 3 bike.
Dovi wants that Factory Yammy ride bad....and unfortunately, he has shown race after race he is faster than spies. hell, last year on the factory honda, dovi was quick. It's just tough when your teammates are Pedrobot and Stoner....Honestly, I expected more from Benny, but he just doesn't look as aggressive his rivals....
As for Hayden, I'm suprised how well he is doing considering the Ducati. If Vale can't sort the bike out, I don't think Hayden has a chance. He's giving it a go though...
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Crutchlow would be foolish to take the Duc, when he's got the best shot at a factory Yamaha slot (I think Yamaha would put him on it over Dovi; Crutchlow is young and has more of a future; Dovi is very good, but he isn't likely to get much better). And Ducati would be foolish to get rid of Hayden or Rossi; the riders aren't their problem (not to say they won't be foolish, but they need to fix the bike, not the riders).
Spies is in a tough spot -- a lot of his problems this year have been bad luck and weird events, but still results are what matter. I think he's got the talent to run near the top; he has to get his shit together and make good use of it, and right now, if he isn't going to go backwards. With Stoner retiring and Rossi on the Duc, there's effectively only two aliens left (unless and until Ducati builds a better bike), so mortals can contend for a podium spot again.
Edwards I think made a mistake voluntarily going to the CRTs; he can probably ride those forever if he feels like it, but as it stands they are a second class class and will stay that way unless Ezpeleta screws things up so badly that the factories all bail out (which could happen).
PhilB
"A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper." -- Ludwig von Mises
1993 Ducati Monster M900; 265,000 miles -- killed by minivan 30Oct17
Moto GP in general seems to have lost its shine, even though these bikes are mind-blowingly fast with the world's best riders.
The action in Moto 2, World Superbike, and even the AMA series offers more excitement IMO.
I agree 100%, the leaders in Moto GP seem to be running solo, usually end up watching the fight for 3rd or 4th.
SBK seems to be much more exciting with Biaggi,Melandri,Rea,Sykes,CC. Its a different set of guys on the podium every single time.
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soh..my bad![]()
Hayden's contract with Ducati expired lst month.![]()
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I agree with PhilB that it would be stupid as hell for Crutchlow to take the Duc. that's definitely a step backwards. I'd stay on a Yamaha if I was him even if its not the factory bike.
Moaner has been critical of Bridgestone saying they won't fix their issues over the past 3 or 4 seasons.
Hayden is really riding better than Rossi but either he gets tired or the tires go off and he can't keep up the pace riding beyond the bikes abilities for the entire race.
and PhilB, Edwards didn't really voluntarily go to the CRT bike. it was either that or try to find a ride in another series.
Basically I think the Factories are ruining the series with shit getting too expensive but I really can't blame them since they all want the fastest/best bike on the grid. its just the nature of things. And Ezpeleta is trying to counter them with this CRT shit just making crap worse. They need to go back to 500 2-strokes.
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hehehehhe
Get away to where? He isn't going to get a factory-supported ride from Honda or Yamaha at this point, and everything else in the whole world is still a step down from a Ducati in MotoGP. There's only 3 factories in MotoGP. The CRTs are way behind the Ducs. Other series are lesser. He's in the best place he can be (as, for exactly the same reasons, is Rossi).
PhilB
"A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper." -- Ludwig von Mises
1993 Ducati Monster M900; 265,000 miles -- killed by minivan 30Oct17
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-Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
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The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650
I have to say, that I think the press is coloring the ducati worse than it is. Hayden is likely 6th best out there, and that's where he's finishing. Rossi is just not getting along with the bike. Stoner was winning on it, and running 2nd/3rd in the series when he left. Now he's second in the series on the Honda. I'm not really seeing a huge disparity in ability vs. results here.
It does seem to be behind the others in terms of setup, but if they keep changing the damned thing so radically they will never catch up.
When you just look at finishing position, I think you're right, Paul... but if you look at how far back it is TIME wise, it puts a different perspective on it. If the MotoGP grids were as full, tight and competitive as other series', the Ducati would be much further back in the field.
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 07-10-12 at 06:20 AM.
-Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650