I would imagine that Suzuki are paying him to be in the series and you have the guy in your team as a condition of running factory bikes. He has been a disappointment compared with Haga and Kagayama and probably Rizla have moved him to get some real racers onboard. Seems like a sensible move to me and means that TAS probably get a free rider and some more factory parts
why have Ducati let Melandri ride the bike all season ? I would have put Melandri out of his misery mid season and got gibbers on the other bike - he couldn't of done any worse
I have no problem with this - Michelin looked to be on the way out - I am sure that the Yamaha and Honda factory teams would have seriously considered going to Bridgestone next year - I mean why a) split a garage down the middle running 2 different tyres and b)Bridgestone have the upper hand
Plus Motogp is not really going anywhere - where are the new teams - the impetus is with WSB - Motogp grids are short on bikes - probably why they have 3 on a grid row to spread the numbers out
You can only throw so much money at developing your son as a racing driver - much of the rest is down to being in the right team, having a good car, a good manager and mentor. There is a long queue of drivers waiting in the queue for seats and yet again if you dont perform there is always some young hot shot who will take your ride next year.
Perhaps he should try the IRL - lots of Brazilians make a living there !
could have won BSB in 2009 - all the main opposition would have gone to WSB. Sykes got the plumb ride because he raced at both Brands and Donners in WSB and finished well in both. Haslam wasn't at Brands......
hands up those who said that the planning permission was submitted late and it would take them years for the decision to be made - how little do they know about the planning process...........
Good luck next year Leon - never been a great fan but he seems to have got it together in the second half of this season.
As a replacement rider - what about the Aussie who is leading the European Superstock and won the British Superstock back in 2006 ? Isn't he too old to do another season in Superstock ????? Brendan ?
Just get on and make the announcement & avoid this speculation. Anyway why would a team like Ducati make a shock switch to Michelin - when the Michelin is considered not up to the standard of a Bridgestone.
Please find a decent American driver or 2 - neither Patrick or Andretti jr are road courses specialists - sorry they are not and they would be gobbled alive by the good drivers
I'm really pleased that Spies has taken the plunge and gone into WSB with a greater depth of talent and machinery than in the AMA. Ok he could have done a Mladin and stayed in AMA forever earning a good wedge - but I think he has shown balls to take this step. Looking forward to 2009.....
Agreed - I like the way Richards has stepped down to Superstock last year and won the title & then has done the same in supersport this year. Needs to be on a superbike next year.
Is he a team owner - feels like he does more than just ride the bike ?
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