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Exclusive: Casey Stoner to test factory Honda in Japan
- Thread starter KUCIAR666
- Start date
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
I?d love it if he were to return to MotoGP in 2015 ? on an Audi-cati! :-0)
By then, Yamaha should have closed the gap to Honda and the sparks should be flying again between Valentino, Jorge and Dani ? all of whom will be trying to catch Marquez.
Chucking Stoner into the mix just might (and I stress the word,?might?) bring back a bit of excitement to relieve the boring processions that we?ve been mis-treated to ever since the single tyre rule was introduced into MotoGP. That was the first retrograde step they made ? the second was in allowing the proliferation of electronic aids to diminish the racing spectacle to state that it?s in today.
By 2015, maybe every bike will be using the same or very similar e-packages that will place more control back into the hands of the riders. And I do think it?s a better grid when Stoner?s on it. Competition is the name of the game, after all ? and the more quality competitors we have in the sport, the better the racing should become.
Stoner is genuinely fast - but he's not a "stayer" - he's never won consecutive championships. However, he's still young enough - and arrogant enough - and talented enough - to come back to MotoGP with a genuine chance of winning more titles.
Dunno whether he will or not - but I'd love to see him try!
...No... ...Really...! I would...! :-:
By then, Yamaha should have closed the gap to Honda and the sparks should be flying again between Valentino, Jorge and Dani ? all of whom will be trying to catch Marquez.
Chucking Stoner into the mix just might (and I stress the word,?might?) bring back a bit of excitement to relieve the boring processions that we?ve been mis-treated to ever since the single tyre rule was introduced into MotoGP. That was the first retrograde step they made ? the second was in allowing the proliferation of electronic aids to diminish the racing spectacle to state that it?s in today.
By 2015, maybe every bike will be using the same or very similar e-packages that will place more control back into the hands of the riders. And I do think it?s a better grid when Stoner?s on it. Competition is the name of the game, after all ? and the more quality competitors we have in the sport, the better the racing should become.
Stoner is genuinely fast - but he's not a "stayer" - he's never won consecutive championships. However, he's still young enough - and arrogant enough - and talented enough - to come back to MotoGP with a genuine chance of winning more titles.
Dunno whether he will or not - but I'd love to see him try!
...No... ...Really...! I would...! :-:
Judge Dredd
Registered User
He should crawl into the outback never to return. He might have been a good rider but all he ever did was whine about everything and everyone. The best thing he did was to feck off. :wank:
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
(He won 2 World Championships, fer fooks sake!)
(No, not everyone!)
(The best thing he did ?)
(Three incorrect of three?)
?Miss? says ?must do better?!
:-0)
Judge Dredd
Registered User
He's still a :wank::wank:
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
KUCIAR666
Registered User
MOTOGP: Crutchlow - No Choice But Ducati
Cal Crutchlow explains why he decided to take on the challenge of turning around Ducati's much-maligned Grand Prix program.
Whenever there's a GP bike which is "a bit of an animal" the riders that make the most of it's shortcomings and ride around the problems are generally either Yanks or Aussies....
Stoner, Bayliss, Roberts, Doohan, Mamola....the list stretches back...
European riders by and large can't seem to cope with a fast and loose bike in the same way. They ride the front whereas most Yanks/Aussies ride the rear...and we know that the Duck is not great when the front is pushed.
Crutchlow is more aggressive and copes better with a loose bike than most European riders so he's got an above average chance of making it work for him.
With access to the resources of Audi Motorsport engineering - the people who took TDI engines to Le Mans..and (despite much sniggering) won... who knows...
But I wish the guy luck. @tu*
Stoner, Bayliss, Roberts, Doohan, Mamola....the list stretches back...
European riders by and large can't seem to cope with a fast and loose bike in the same way. They ride the front whereas most Yanks/Aussies ride the rear...and we know that the Duck is not great when the front is pushed.
Crutchlow is more aggressive and copes better with a loose bike than most European riders so he's got an above average chance of making it work for him.
With access to the resources of Audi Motorsport engineering - the people who took TDI engines to Le Mans..and (despite much sniggering) won... who knows...
But I wish the guy luck. @tu*
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
Hmmm... Might be construed as a bit of a sweeping statement, that.
I think riding style has more than a bit to do with how a bike looks when it?s being ridden to its limits.
Mamola had a spectacular riding style that was just as likely to see him crash on the warm-down lap as in the race; Doohan had a style forced upon him by his injuries; Roberts was an out-and-out dirt-tracker who just happened to be insanely brave as well as fast, so he was never going to look particularly smooth - and Stoner looks bonkers on any bike he rode ? same as Marquez.
Bayliss? Certainly no more spectacular than the others ? but certainly a great rider, as they all are. European riders generally have a different, smoother style than the rest ? possibly because we?ve always had smoother, better maintained tracks than the Yanks and Aussies who have always had to bring their enormous talents ?over here? to prove themselves, rather than vice versa.
:-0)
I think riding style has more than a bit to do with how a bike looks when it?s being ridden to its limits.
Mamola had a spectacular riding style that was just as likely to see him crash on the warm-down lap as in the race; Doohan had a style forced upon him by his injuries; Roberts was an out-and-out dirt-tracker who just happened to be insanely brave as well as fast, so he was never going to look particularly smooth - and Stoner looks bonkers on any bike he rode ? same as Marquez.
Bayliss? Certainly no more spectacular than the others ? but certainly a great rider, as they all are. European riders generally have a different, smoother style than the rest ? possibly because we?ve always had smoother, better maintained tracks than the Yanks and Aussies who have always had to bring their enormous talents ?over here? to prove themselves, rather than vice versa.
:-0)
Sorry - Bit late replying....been over on the Island for the MGP for the last three weeks - marshaling and enjoying a lazy holiday.
That's why I put in such choice phrases as:
"are generally either Yanks or Aussies"
and
"European riders by and large"
Gives me a bail out option when a knowledgable git like you comes along.:-0)
"I think riding style has more than a bit to do with how a bike looks when it?s being ridden to its limits"
Slightly confused on that... bit of a sweeping statement there too, methinks, DA...!
Any rider on a race bike being ridden to the limits will look spectacular and skilled to us mere mortals. The real test of a racer who's a cut above the rest is if he (or she) can do it lap after lap to bring it home for a win or podium place...especially in the later stages of a race when tyres are well past their best.
And if that bike has inherent handling issues which said rider can deal with and still manage to bring home the bacon...and do it consistently...then above the norm skill (amongst bike racers) has to be a contributing factor.
It seems to me that Yank and Aussie racers seem to have had in the past (and continue to have) an edge in that regard.
Now if we could just persuade Ducati to stick Gary McCoy on the beast, that might prove whether I'm talking bollocks or not...:-0):-0)
That's why I put in such choice phrases as:
"are generally either Yanks or Aussies"
and
"European riders by and large"
Gives me a bail out option when a knowledgable git like you comes along.:-0)
"I think riding style has more than a bit to do with how a bike looks when it?s being ridden to its limits"
Slightly confused on that... bit of a sweeping statement there too, methinks, DA...!
Any rider on a race bike being ridden to the limits will look spectacular and skilled to us mere mortals. The real test of a racer who's a cut above the rest is if he (or she) can do it lap after lap to bring it home for a win or podium place...especially in the later stages of a race when tyres are well past their best.
And if that bike has inherent handling issues which said rider can deal with and still manage to bring home the bacon...and do it consistently...then above the norm skill (amongst bike racers) has to be a contributing factor.
It seems to me that Yank and Aussie racers seem to have had in the past (and continue to have) an edge in that regard.
Now if we could just persuade Ducati to stick Gary McCoy on the beast, that might prove whether I'm talking bollocks or not...:-0):-0)
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
Nice one! I hope you had a good rest after the marshaling!
I respect what you say, and maybe this is where we have to agree that we agree ? even though we might have differences?
When Lorenzo?s riding to the limits of his and the bike?s performance, he looks super-smooth. So does Rossi. Maybe this is how the Yamaha has been developed over the years ? to the point that a smooth riding style is required to bring out the best in the bike. Even Crutchlow looks smoother this year ? despite the crashes? And Stoner commented recently that if Cal thinks he?s crashing a lot now ? just wait till he gets on the Ducati!!
Compared to the Yamaha, the Honda seems like it needs to be bullied around the track ? and that?s borne out (I think) by the success of the Stoner/Marquez ?ragged edge? riding styles. Pedrosa seems more controlled ? but he?s the one who?s always having tyre/traction problems which suggests that he still hasn?t found a consistent way to man-handle the bike. He tends to get better towards the end of the season, so we could be in for a bit of a thriller as far as the championship is concerned.
No comment on the Ducati ? I think Stoner said it all when he walked away ? and that was reinforced when Rossi/Burgess ran away from what had obviously become a nightmare move from Yamaha?
Which brings me to the point that, as Rossi nears the end of his career; the Spanish riders have come to dominate MotoGP. I think it?s a cyclic thing: a bit like football ? remember when the Brazilians were ?unbeatable??
Hopefully, it will be the British riders next ? there?s a lot of talent out there and even more coming through on the heels of Crutchlow, Smith, Redding et al. As for Gary McCoy: at 41 (?)I think he?s much too wise even to contemplate getting on a Ducati. :-0)
Nice one! I hope you had a good rest after the marshaling!
First year marshaling (at Quarterbridge) and it was really enjoyable stuff. We've (wife & I) been going over to visit friends and watch the Manx for years but when we heard that they were short on marshals we signed up.
Gives you a totally different (and much closer) perspective on the racing. Picked a handful of bikes and riders up during practice and racing but no real injuries at Quarterbridge - more importantly no fatalities or life changing injuries during the whole fortnight.
When Lorenzo?s riding to the limits of his and the bike?s performance, he looks super-smooth. So does Rossi. Maybe this is how the Yamaha has been developed over the years ? to the point that a smooth riding style is required to bring out the best in the bike. Even Crutchlow looks smoother this year ? despite the crashes? And Stoner commented recently that if Cal thinks he?s crashing a lot now ? just wait till he gets on the Ducati!!
Compared to the Yamaha, the Honda seems like it needs to be bullied around the track ? and that?s borne out (I think) by the success of the Stoner/Marquez ?ragged edge? riding styles. Pedrosa seems more controlled ? but he?s the one who?s always having tyre/traction problems which suggests that he still hasn?t found a consistent way to man-handle the bike. He tends to get better towards the end of the season, so we could be in for a bit of a thriller as far as the championship is concerned.
Here's hoping..! It's definitely beginning to look like it'll end in a photo finish...
No comment on the Ducati ? I think Stoner said it all when he walked away ? and that was reinforced when Rossi/Burgess ran away from what had obviously become a nightmare move from Yamaha?
As a Rossi/Burgess fan it pains me to say it but I think there was an element of arrogance in the move and resulted in some well deserved egg/face interfacing.
Which brings me to the point that, as Rossi nears the end of his career; the Spanish riders have come to dominate MotoGP. I think it?s a cyclic thing: a bit like football ? remember when the Brazilians were ?unbeatable??
Yep. Remember those days well and I'm not a footie fan. I doubt that you'll see football played quite like that again.
Hopefully, it will be the British riders next ? there?s a lot of talent out there and even more coming through on the heels of Crutchlow, Smith, Redding et al.
It's certainly the best opportunity for us to see a relative glut of British riders in top flight bike racing since the 50's and 60's.
As for Gary McCoy: at 41 (?)I think he?s much too wise even to contemplate getting on a Ducati. :-0)
Oh I dunno... look at McWilliams...still giving ther young lads a fright...@tu*
First year marshaling (at Quarterbridge) and it was really enjoyable stuff. We've (wife & I) been going over to visit friends and watch the Manx for years but when we heard that they were short on marshals we signed up.
Gives you a totally different (and much closer) perspective on the racing. Picked a handful of bikes and riders up during practice and racing but no real injuries at Quarterbridge - more importantly no fatalities or life changing injuries during the whole fortnight.
When Lorenzo?s riding to the limits of his and the bike?s performance, he looks super-smooth. So does Rossi. Maybe this is how the Yamaha has been developed over the years ? to the point that a smooth riding style is required to bring out the best in the bike. Even Crutchlow looks smoother this year ? despite the crashes? And Stoner commented recently that if Cal thinks he?s crashing a lot now ? just wait till he gets on the Ducati!!
Compared to the Yamaha, the Honda seems like it needs to be bullied around the track ? and that?s borne out (I think) by the success of the Stoner/Marquez ?ragged edge? riding styles. Pedrosa seems more controlled ? but he?s the one who?s always having tyre/traction problems which suggests that he still hasn?t found a consistent way to man-handle the bike. He tends to get better towards the end of the season, so we could be in for a bit of a thriller as far as the championship is concerned.
Here's hoping..! It's definitely beginning to look like it'll end in a photo finish...
No comment on the Ducati ? I think Stoner said it all when he walked away ? and that was reinforced when Rossi/Burgess ran away from what had obviously become a nightmare move from Yamaha?
As a Rossi/Burgess fan it pains me to say it but I think there was an element of arrogance in the move and resulted in some well deserved egg/face interfacing.
Which brings me to the point that, as Rossi nears the end of his career; the Spanish riders have come to dominate MotoGP. I think it?s a cyclic thing: a bit like football ? remember when the Brazilians were ?unbeatable??
Yep. Remember those days well and I'm not a footie fan. I doubt that you'll see football played quite like that again.
Hopefully, it will be the British riders next ? there?s a lot of talent out there and even more coming through on the heels of Crutchlow, Smith, Redding et al.
It's certainly the best opportunity for us to see a relative glut of British riders in top flight bike racing since the 50's and 60's.
As for Gary McCoy: at 41 (?)I think he?s much too wise even to contemplate getting on a Ducati. :-0)
Oh I dunno... look at McWilliams...still giving ther young lads a fright...@tu*
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
Yes? Having seen how important they are to the sport (and having been rescued by them a few times), I?ve got a lot of time and respect for the marshals.
Agreed ? the equivalent of a bridge too far, methinks. He should have swallowed his pride and stayed with Yamaha ? it was a bad tactical move in terms of his career and a very poor strategic decision as far as winning a tenth GP title was concerned.
I fear for Crutchlow ? but at least there?s more to talk about and to look forward to now than there?s been for the last few seasons! @tu*
Just got back from a work trip to Morpeth - hence a bit slow to respond..
Nice article about the marshaling at Lydden Hill racing. I had to check that the large lady on the grid holding up the flag wasn't actually topless...! Might catch on...
The guys racing vintage and historic bikes at the Manx are something to behold... every bit as committed as those riders on modern stuff and in many cases the riders were cornering just as fast.
The way they were coming round Quarterbridge - thin tyres, drum brakes and the fairing bottoming out and scraping away. I take my hat off to them. And when you find that the riders are in their 50s, 60, even 70's --- shitty death...!!
Many of them were taking the corner so tight that they were scraping the bodywork twice...once on the road and also on the side where they had their knee out and over the kerb (One almost left the fairing behind doing that and had to be black flagged.)
I don't use the word "awesome" but in this case....:bow::bow::bow:
Nice article about the marshaling at Lydden Hill racing. I had to check that the large lady on the grid holding up the flag wasn't actually topless...! Might catch on...
The guys racing vintage and historic bikes at the Manx are something to behold... every bit as committed as those riders on modern stuff and in many cases the riders were cornering just as fast.
The way they were coming round Quarterbridge - thin tyres, drum brakes and the fairing bottoming out and scraping away. I take my hat off to them. And when you find that the riders are in their 50s, 60, even 70's --- shitty death...!!
Many of them were taking the corner so tight that they were scraping the bodywork twice...once on the road and also on the side where they had their knee out and over the kerb (One almost left the fairing behind doing that and had to be black flagged.)
I don't use the word "awesome" but in this case....:bow::bow::bow: