Couple of things. Firstly, if there's any truth in Yamaha signing Pol Espargaro, then they signed the wrong brother; Aleix is working miracles on the CRT machine while Pol hasn't really done anything of note (although I rate him as a rider). And secondly, if that whingeing aussie twunt returns to motogp next year, the Dorna/BT Sport deal can't come soon enough, cos that's the last person I want to see back on the grid.
Could possibly be the best thing for Cal, he won't get a factory Yam until at least 2015 if he stayed put anyway, if a satellite Honda ride... Bradl comes up this would be his best bet, as much as I'd like to see him on the Ducati until the bike improves he would be riding around in 7th place at best like the others so a mental step backwards for him and his career
I've gotta agree Aleix espargaro is on great form he deserves a good seat next year, if the best CRT riders aren't being moved up then what's the point in having the CRT's
Racing and top class engineering to make the best race machines on the planet is going to be what MotoGP's about, and will continue to be about, whether Casey Stoner's there or not. Racing motorbikes is about two things - improving your engineering and marketing your bikes. I don't think this year's racing would really have been improved with Stoner being there, and indeed it's not been worse without him. We've actually had three really exciting top class races this year. Where is the evidence that Stoner is getting bored with life in Australia? (I appreciate he may well have fed the journalist the story as manipulating the media is a skill a top class sportsperson must learn). Like figaro, I wouldn't like to see him back. As an aside, Barbera got 14 months community service for hitting his missus. Not great PR that...
Agreed, it would be interesting to see what Aleix Espagaro could do on a more sophisticated, more powerful motorcycle. Given the higher fuel limits and bigger engine allocations the CRT's have, I wonder if there's scope for Aprilia to turn up the gas a bit in the motor?
Agreed the engineering will continue whether Casey is there or not, but does anybody seriously think the spectacle wouldnt be improved with him in the mix, I think those that believe that need to go to specsavers if your hatred of him outweighs the racing outlook. There is to much analysis of racers attitudes by armchair pundits looking at the global marketing of motogp ,than there is of the thing that matters most (to me anyway) of putting your bike over the line before anyone else's.
PJ I do yes, I dont think it would be better becuase I dont think Stoner is a racer as defined ala Marquez, Rossi, Bautista, Bradl, Simoncelli. He's supremely talented, incredibly fast and exciing to watch...when he is riding alone. When in a scrap I'm not so sure
sad for cal ,as he is going well and i wonder if he was on a full works bike would he win some races?going to Ducati, on the chance that they will fix that shed could be his only option we need more bikes on the grid aprilia suzuki zawasaki triumph as at the moment its BORING
Thing is, if all the riders were much the same, where is the spectacle that is and should be Moto GP? I would love to see Stoner back on a Ducati. Lets get some fairings bashed again gibernau/rossi style etc. Stoner was only boring as usually he just fecked off into the distance. Lets have some shoulder to shoulder racing as its getting a bit stale in my eyes.....a bit too Formula 1 ish........
At last, someone who knows what they are talking about. Cranker, what a nice exposition there, well researched. Cal will need a shave to impress the Germans though. Preferably with a Braun sponsorship deal Casey - anytime. I think the guy is so much needed on a bike. Far from moaning he just says it as it is. Nowt wrong with that. Both are fighters and both are winners. As English (well almost ) speakers they are needed at or near the top in this game, something Toseland alas never really managed.
At least if Marquez uses him as a brake stoner will finally have a genuine reason to moan. The worst thing about stoner was when he won a race he still complained about the bike in the post race interview !
Maybe I'm forgetful, but cant remember Stoner going tow to toe with anyone thru his choice even when he wasn't winning
