Spain will continue to dominate as long as they have the infrastructure they have. And although there will be others as described, the bulk of the field will continue to be spanish as its a larger talent pool and the sponsorship money better
What Spain has going for it: 1. A population that is in love with the internal combustion engine. Why? I have no idea, but they just adore cars and bikes. Especially bikes. Take your bike to Spain and be a hero in the eyes of the local populace. Compare attitude to the UK 2. Great weather. You might not get much practice riding in the wet, but you've got more months to practice riding than in the UK. 3. Great tracks. The Spanish only seem very good at one thing: building leisure infrastructure. Golf courses, hotels, racetracks. It seems to keep the entire economy afloat (or did). Compare to the run-down facilities in the UK. Take the ingredients and shake them up and you quickly understand why Spain produces more top class riders than pretty much anywhere else. You'd have thought that Italy could give them a run for their money, but they have been somewhat lacklustre of late. You only have to look at the average age of this forum (46 and a bit) to see just how out of touch with youth culture biking is. Racers are in their late teens, early 20s, not their 40s.
Tell that to Ghostie! lol they have lots of local clubs too woth tiny tots riding and being taught the best habits from before they can dress themselves in leathers
You'd have to say that the Huns are quite disappointing in bike racing. Britain has pretty much dominated WSBK, even if we aren't so hot in MotoGP et al (although this season is our best since about Barry Sheene). But the Germans? Apart from Bradl, there just hasn't really been anyone lately. And there are about 80 million of them.
Really ??? And how does that work ? We have had 25 WSB seasons 1998 - 2012 and have had the following: 9 won by Americans (6 different riders) 7 won by Brits (4 of those Foggy, 2 Toseland and 1 Hodgson) 5 won by Australians ( 3 Bayliss, 2 Corser) 2 won by an Italian (Biaggi) 1 French 1 Spanish So is your remark akin to those that bang on how England are still a footballing force ?? The last British WSB champion was Toseland in 07 ...... and since that point we have had 4 different nationalities win it !!! Time to pop the rose tints back in the spectacle case .........
Fair dos. But from a European perspective, we have dominated. Where are the French, Germans and Italians? Brits have almost double the titles of the rest of Europe put together. As for Britain being a force for anything much, you've got the wrong guy. I banged on so little about it I emigrated. (Though I still think the Brits are the funniest nation in the world - and that counts for quite a lot.)
Ah, sorry, wrong goal posts !!!!! The other Europeans have been busy winning MotoGP titles instead !!!! the other Euro countries have won 23 of the 64 MotoGP titles on offer ... the Aus / US have taken another 23 GB has taken 17, with the last being in 1976, about the same time the US got serious about things Rhodesia also nicked one !!! If we look at 88-2012 to compare the WSB window then its: 15 US / Aus 10 Italy / Spain So in effect .... while Britain has played in WSB and monstered its euro counterparts, in MotoGP the rest or europe has been busy making hay ..... In essence the UK have not been a force in WSB since Foggy or in MGP since Sheene ...... other than the odd flash, Toseland / Hodgson .... Or have i got the wrong goal posts again ????
Not the wrong goalposts no. You've got the wrong point I was making which was simply that you'd expect the Germans to have done better. I'm not arguing about Britain being successful. I was simply stating that they had been successful in WSBK (28% of titles), Germans 0% And apart from Bradl, Germans haven't been overly successful of late in the MotoGP and sub classes. But if you want to turn my comment into supposed flag-waving for GB, go ahead.
Although tbf the Brits have a lot of WSBK talent, same as the Spaniards in the GP classes, they just don't win as often ;-)
I think you've got a valid point, everytime we head to germany (normally each year) Im always taken back by the huge amount of motorcyclists out there (i dont mean the tourists) I know they have a lot of in country racing but theres literally 1000's of them who love bikes, its such a great country to ride in because of the road quality. It does suprise me theyve not had loads of talent floating through over the years, theyve always been in to motorsport and done amazing in F1 etc so surely bikes cant be far behind.
Seems someone had the "full" moto gp experience with Randy.. :S Spanish press said the pillion was taken away with a broken wrist!
