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Don-R

November 09, 2012 4:17 PM

MOTOGP » Crutchlow advises Smith to 'take it steady'


"He talked himeself in an out of the Ducati ride" It astonishes me that some people still buy into that internet myth, which has got nothing at all to do with reality. Ducati certainly didn't choose its 2013 riders based on what anybody said or didn't say on the internet or in a newspaper. Basically Crutchlow was approached as a team mate for Rossi, when it was assumed by Ducati that VR would be staying. Once they got wind that he was leaving, they hurriedly re-secured Hayden (whose contract had not been renewed), and looked for an ideal (preferably Italian) development rider to replace Rossi. Dovi was simply the more sensible choice given his experience, nationality, and results this year. Ducati's final line up was decided on the grounds of practicality and merit rather than anything else. No more to it than that.

Don-R

October 31, 2012 10:43 AM

MOTOGP » Excitement ahead of MotoGP debut


All that said, he is certainly a far better rider than the Mistral allows him to show, and should be capable on a Tech 3 10000 of running with Iannone, Hayden etc. on the Dukes. Whether he progresses beyond that nobody really knows yet. The consensus amongst most journos and commenters seems to be that Bradley will do a fair job, but that Espargaro (and to a lesser extent Redding) are the real talents from Moto2 right now, and that it seems unfair that they've being obliged to remain in that class for another year while Brad moves up. Personally I'd have to agree with that. Best of luck to BS nonetheless. Never any harm in going in as an underdog..

Don-R

October 31, 2012 10:42 AM

MOTOGP » Excitement ahead of MotoGP debut


A few objective points here: 1. Herve doesn't *always* get it right. Several of his signings in the past (including Toseland) didn't work out too great. Because the fact is nobody really knows for sure how a rider will perform when moving to the MotoGP class. Sometimes you have to take a risk. 2. Bradley was signed hastily because at the time Crutchlow was going through a run of horrible form, and it didn't look like he'd last more than his contracted 2nd year at Tech 3. And Herve needed to ensure that continuity of having a UK rider (nice Dorna cash) and Monster sponsorship (Bradley is personally sponsored by them). It was a very political signing. 3. Both Herve and Yamaha have since - allegedly - regretted that hastiness, and rumours of legal action to break the contract surfaced this year. So it hasn't necessarily been the happiest or smoothest of signings. And it does suggest a certain lack of confidence in Bradley's ultimate potential.

Don-R

October 29, 2012 12:02 AM

MOTOGP » 'Calm' Crutchlow toasts second podium


@ petrolbonce Actually I hate the term 'alien' but until a better euphemism comes along to describe those riders that consistently perform at a higher level we're stuck with it.. @ markg Info on relative bike spec has never been so readily available and accessible as it is now thanks to the Internet and the large amounts of info and quotes posted by riders, technical crew, journalists etc. When you have people like Ramon Forcada, Steve Blackburn (Tech 3 mechanic), Wilco Zeelenberg, Dennis Noyes, Neil Spalding et al happy to answer questions via social media, it's not that hard to find answers to certain questions relating to bike spec. Speaking only for myself, if I make a comment on that particular subject you can at least be sure that any claims are researched rather than invented.

Don-R

October 28, 2012 12:01 PM

MOTOGP » 'Calm' Crutchlow toasts second podium


Some people might choose to be uncharitable about the podium, (ALL podiums by non-aliens this year have been opportunistic ones to some extent), but what is indisputable is that Cal rode a clean and very fast race today and finished only 5s behind Jorge on a bike that's certainly a couple of specs down on motor and electronics. Rides like this one and the one at Brno are indicators of just how far he's progressed as a MotoGP rider since last year. Congrats to him & team.

Don-R

October 27, 2012 10:55 AM

MOTOGP » Dovizioso: I just didn't have a good feeling


2 falls over the last 2 weekends and seeing Stoner escape from him in the championship might just have detuned Dovi a bit. No doubt he'll be as opportunistic as ever if he does get the sniff of a podium, but with 4th in the championship locked down he's probably just keen to get these next 2 races over with then find out what mammoth task he's taken on with the Duke.


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