WSBK » Spies: I know what I want to do next year

Jimmy you're right I meant to type crutchlow - sorry it's been a long day - stepping away from the keyboard.....

" If you were Maio would you want James damaged goods Toseland who might or just as well might not excel on the R1 or would you rather pick a proven up and comer who already has come to grips with the R1??"

If I was a WSBK boss I think I would want a 2-time champion! Bayliss didn't look too damaged on his return to WSBK did he? And isn't "proven up and comer" some what of an oxymoron?

I have read that Dorna are very keen to keep a British rider in MotoGP so Toselands seat may not be as vacant as everyone seems to think. Herve Poncharal has already said that he would re-sign Colin Edwards in a heartbeat (although he didn't say why he couldn't).

As someone else mentioned before it can only be in Yamahas best interest right now to keep Spies in WSBK so that they can dominate both series.

The only possible upset I can see is that Repsol would probably pay a fortune to get Lorenzo since Mini-P has failed to deliver a Spanish champion and even though Lorenzo would be nuts to give up the Yamaha, coming in second to Vale every weekend is going to get to him eventually.

Do think Rossi will retire next year and go Rallying. Ben is now probably gonna be WSB champ and should move to GP for yamaha pronto. Edwards to Aprillia,the bikes fast so he would have a chance at the championship.Hope Cal is racing Elias next year.

Is WSB a pension top up scheme for ex GP riders.

I'd love (hope, wish, pay) to see all riders over 135lbs. in WSBK. Rossi, Edwards, Hayden... everyone, or at least enough to make it THE premier class. All on the same tires, and then shut off traction control.

If Spies gleaned anything from his time with Matt Mladin, and he learned plenty (including the art of the understated interview) it was/is not to stay too long lest he miss out on getting where he wants to be. Right about now, Ben gets what Ben wants. He wants MotoGP, any team will take him, which means Yamaha will either provide a factory spec bike or lose him to the competition. Easy decision. Once Rossi left for Yamaha, Giberneau was defacto lead Honda rider on a factory spec RCV despite riding for satellite Gresini, and Biaggi had factory support, and Repsol badges to go with it, when riding the Camel Honda. No reason Yamaha can't have a similiar arrangement with Tech3 and Spies.

Spies is going to sign with Ferrari F1 for next year since Rossi cant seem to make up his mind.

BTW, one of the main functions, if not 'the' main function, of the "rookie rule" is to encourage/force greater participation in the series--which is to say, put more bikes on the grid. With the rookie rule in play, the satellite teams become fully part of an active ladder system for the manufacturers. The satellites get hot new talent (rather than has-beens or never-were) and increased factory support which both aid their competitiveness and, consequently, their desire to stay in the series, and the factories are encouraged to generate and support satellite efforts as a means to ensure the future without sacrificing the present with regard to riding talent.

Stop with the Edwards to Aprilia WSBK rumor. That is not happening. The only credible rumor (fact) is JT is leaving MotoGP. BTW, Spies is staying in WSBK.