posted Aug 2, 2007

Stuey - spot on!

I'd would have to say the Suzuka race has forced JT's choice. I find it hard to believe that he has choosen Tech 3 over Gresini, the sat Duke will be second best by some way (to main team) I'd imagine next year so I can see why he'd skip that.

I can only think that Tech 3 has some assurances of more factory support/feeds and a better tyre deal(M or B).

I hope he surprises us all as he is a quality rider and is tougher than most giv him credit for. Mid pack monotomy possibly but racing isn't all about the top 2.
Simon - with you on last points too.

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posted Aug 2, 2007

Just saw the announcement on DigitalSpy that 5 are showing games at 2pm on Sundays from Aug 26 for 34 wks. Ppl there are moaning on that forum that this means no big derbies etc on tv - but surely with no evening games anymore the big games will be at 2pm won't they???

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posted Aug 2, 2007

Edit: Dammit, wrong forum haha. Was trying to point out...

"Obviously not paying attention during the 90's young James, ever heard of a bloke called Fogarty??"

Yeah. He won 4 World Superbike titles. And only ever raced in ONE GP for Cagiva. Only people that should feel hard done by by that statement are Ron Haslam and Niall Mackenzie. Now where's that doh smilie?

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posted Aug 2, 2007

do you really consider that Haslam and Mackenzie were 'competitive'? I know Haslam lead quite few off the start and seem to remember Mackenzie leading at Donington one year for a bit (on the Marlboro Yamaha, can't remember the year), but neither won a race - hardly in the same league as Sheene

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posted Aug 2, 2007

Okay Mackenzie didn't win but I'm sure I recall him having a stonker of a race at Laguna Seca where he was certainly competitive.

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posted Aug 2, 2007

Mackenzie also finished 4th in the 500cc championship in 1990 behind Rainey, Schwantz and Doohan and ahead of Gardner, Lawson, et al - so not so shoddy methinks!

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posted Aug 2, 2007

Haslam did have a fair few podium finishes, while Mackenzie finished 4th in 1990 (I think). There havn't been any Brits since who've been given full factory backing (from Honda and Suzuki) like they were too.

At least in comparison to Hodgson, Emmett, Walker, Leon Haslam, Ellison, etc they were pretty competitive. And Fogarty, who just took every opportunity to slag off Doohan but never jumped ship.

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posted Aug 3, 2007

JT has done the right thing by getting into MotoGp while he is still young enough to adapt.

If you look at the riders that have moved to MotoGP from Superbikes, those that have youth on their side have prospered (Hayden, Vermulen and Hopkins).

Tech 3 might be at the wrong end of the grid, but nobody expected Stoner to do that well last year on a 5th string Honda, so if JT can grasp the opportunity and race the way he has this year then happy days!

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posted Aug 3, 2007

I rate JT as our best British hope since Fogarty chose NOT to step up to the top class. Of course he will be fighting in the midfield in '08, but that is no mean feat if he manages to top 10's. Some people on here need to wait until we see what machinery Yamaha turn out for him too. I very much doubt JT has accepted a sub-standard package!

Those who think he had any chance at Honda ride in '09, dream on the lad is 28 already and as for Ducati they don't deserve him the way they treated him after he won them the SBK title. JT will do the business, watch and enjoy!!!

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posted Aug 4, 2007

Never was a JT fan, he won the WSB title in the same fashion as Hayden in GP, by being consistent, but not really setting the world alight. However this year, I have seen a whole new kid on the block, focused, motivated and very exciting. I am a Troy/Ducati fan, always have been since BSB. I read certain comments about being a success and failing, but What defines failure and success? Winning the championship or finishing top 10? I think he will do well, but he does not have the background, backing or experience to be challenging for the title as some suggested, not to mention the fact non-factory squads do not win titles (that i remember) and he has the handicap of not coming up through the ranks,plus a series of new tracks. As good as JT is, he simply does not have that raw natural talent that makes you stand out compared with the likes of Lorenzo, Pedrosa, stoner, melandri etc Even with full factory backing and a dream engineering team, he will win races but never a title. He better protect his fingers, so he has a job to go to after GP as a pianist, my vote is on Bradley Smith being the next best british hope.

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