Phil Baker worked with
MotoGP world champion
Nicky Hayden (2004-10) and race winner
Chris Vermeulen (2007-10) before setting up his own company, SA 1 Management.
The US-based Brit then managed Factory Yamaha
MotoGP star Ben Spies and now works with reigning Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl, who is stepping up to
MotoGP this season with LCR Honda.
Got a question for Phil? Post your questions for the next installment of
Baker's Dozen within the comments section below...
1. Q:
What's your overall verdict on the opening European rounds of the year, at
Jerez and Estoril?
Phil Baker:
It appears that it is business as usual up at the front end of the action. Fortunately the Yamaha and Honda bikes appear closer in performance than last year and some riders clearly prefer the 1000 versus the 800.
In both GPs, Jorge was right behind Casey and got as close as 0.3 of a second before dropping back again. Given the closeness of performance I'm sure that we will see more overtaking as the season progresses.
2. Q:
Do you think the title will be decided by gaining the most race wins, or making the least mistakes?
Phil Baker:
Nicky Hayden won the championship back in 2006 by taking a podium 10 times in the first 11 races. He won two races throughout the season and still won the championship title. That tells you right there that consistency will decide the championship rather than number of wins.
3. Q:
Valentino Rossi's tough start has continued…
Phil Baker:
Everybody talks of Valentino's demise and only one podium since he has been with Ducati, but I know how hard the guys in red are working, and I believe that it will only be a matter of time before we see him breaking into the top five. I genuinely hope so, as we need him back up the front.
4. Q:
Yamaha Tech 3 riders Cal Crutchlow and
Andrea Dovizioso have been evenly matched just behind the top three. How do you see the contest between them developing?
Phil Baker:
The battle between the two is really refreshing for the championship. The resurgent Cal is like a breath of fresh air and great for the British fans. Dovi is a tough competitor and is going to be doing all he can to beat his team-mate, but seeing a Tech 3 bike back on the podium is only just around the corner. It would be a toss of a coin to guess which one of them it will be. That said, seeing a Brit back on the podium will be awesome.
5. Q:
It looks like Estoril might drop off the
MotoGP calendar next year. If so, will you be sad to see it go?
Phil Baker: