WSBK » Kiyonari: The problem is the rider!

El Bigonio - man...that's some pathetic reaching from almost 20 years ago and those riders won on machinery that was light years ahead of the competition. Merkel's RC30 outclassed everything, Polen's Ducatis the same thing. WSBK back then was more of the old F1 series than what is now. I should have included Russell with Corser on former AMA champions who have won WSBK championships. So the revised stats are: 2 BSB & 2 AMA champs who have won the WSBK championship. Your post doesn't dispel the fact that winning your domestic championship doesn't guarantee domination or consistency on the WSBK circuit.

WSBK » Polita retained at Celani for season

Muggers should try to get a ride in WSS next year. That move has done wonders for Pitt and extended his expiration date by a couple of years. If Karl insists on staying in the SBK class I think that his career is done on the international stage. If he can have a good season in WSS he'll be able to extend his expiry date as well.

WSBK » Sykes: I know people want my ride

pp916 - yes that is absolutely correct that WSS riders have done squat once promoted to WSBK. You point out Rea being on the top step and while you are correct he joins a fraternity of 5 WSS graduate riders to stand on the top step in the last 10 years!!...Vermeulen, Pitt, Xaus, Fabrizio and himself. Case in point: Chambone: flop Fujiwara : flop Foret: flop Sofuoglo:flop Nannelli : decent rides here and there Muggeridge : flop and the list goes on and on.

WSBK » Sykes: I know people want my ride

While Mladin is a good (I said good...not great) rider, I think you're dreaming to think he would come over and that he and Spies would dominate WSBK. Mladin's success has only been on the Yosh Suzuki...a bike which has millions of $$$ thrown at it every year and makes the other bikes look like undeveloped garbage. His years on a Ducati weren't as successful for him. He's an unknown quantity on the world stage and has only dominated with one brand and team. Take him away from his team and that Yosh zook and we'll see the Mladin from his Cagiva and Fast by Feracci Ducati days.

WSBK » Sykes: I know people want my ride

I think Sykes will keep his seat. Camier, Crutchlow & Laverty are unknown quantities. WSS riders have done NOTHING on the SBK stage and Camier didn't shine at Donnington. One or two rostrums for Sykes will allow him to keep his ride.

WSBK » Kiyonari: The problem is the rider!

BSB champions who've gone on to win the WSBK championship: 2 - Hodgson - Bayliss AMA champions who've gone on to win the WSBK championship: 1 - Corser Just proves my earlier post that winning a domestic championship doesn't gurantee domination or any consistency on the world stage.

WSBK » Hacking eyeing permanent WSBK berth

If he comes with sponsors and some money he'll get a ride. If riders like Ayrton Badovini, Vittorio Iannuzzo, Tommy Hill, Matteo Baiocco, David Salom et al can get rides this old timer can too. He's no more of a gamble than any of the WSS riders.

WSBK » Polita retained at Celani for season

Life isn't fair. I love Muggers but he hasn't done sqat even when he had works bikes from Ten Kate. Just goes to prove what I and others have been saying. Success at WSS level means NOTHING when it comes to SBK.

WSBK » PSG-1 announce WSBK withdrawal

The Kawis have gone from bad to worse. Dismal showings in MotoGP and SBKs. The ZX10R is done as a team machine. No team in their right mind would want to lease a proven midpack runner.

WSBK » WSS: Laverty: I've had no WSBK offers yet

He's a great rider but you know why no SBK teams have approached him? You all know why. Success at the WSS level has NEVER translated to success at the SBK level. Name me one WSS champ that has had consistent SBK success other than Vermeulen. The talk here of him "deserving" a SBK ride or a MotoGP ride is just nationalism talking. The facts speak for themselves. Now before anyone disagrees, do so but then post a rebut and post some facts that prove the above wrong.