Firstly I have to say a massive thank you to you guys for
the great response to my small rant on the blog before last. I’m glad I got my
point across in the right way and didn’t offend anyone in the process – I also
have to say thanks as it was my most popular blog in terms of hits with upwards
of 900 views, proves I did something right I think!
It’s so nice to get the season underway properly; the only
thing we’re waiting for is for the start of the European MotoGP season next
weekend and then it’s all gravy, baby!
Qatar MotoGP always seems to be more of a ‘ceremonial’ start
to the season; maybe this is due to it being held under lights, without the
massed ranks of partisan fans and completely different to the bright sunshine (mostly!)
of the other 17 races. Hopefully the weather will be a little more clement in
southern Spain this time round as the race was an absolute lottery last year –
at one point looking like nobody actually wanted to win it!
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World Superbikes returned to Assen this weekend...what a
great circuit – visit it if you can for WSB, MotoGP or of course BSB in
September, it’s not as far as you think! As for WSB in general, my thoughts
have been covered elsewhere but I must give a big tip of the hat to Tom Sykes,
coming of age nicely this season and I couldn’t be happier for him...well that
was until I drafted him in to my MCN Fantasy Race Team! So I apologise for his
performance this weekend, none of which being of his own doing I must add!
Right, I think I’ve possibly found my issue with World
Superbikes...well, some of the British contingent therein...
In race one, Leon Haslam was lapping 3s per lap faster than
anyone else and at the rate he was going was going to win Race 2 before it had
even begun! So why then, with a wealth of experience on his shoulders did he
sling it up the road with certain victory in sight?! I fully appreciate the
conditions were just short of abysmal but really, should a rider of his 14
years experience have fared better?
Has Leon really got what it takes to win a Championship? I’m
not questioning his ability to race a motorcycle, which goes without saying for
ANY rider in ANY championship as far as I’m concerned, I just wonder how many
more chances he needs to deliver a title. He’s always come reasonably close, having
four consecutive top four finishes in BSB on top flight machinery and finishing
top 6 in the last three WSB seasons- including finishing second to the dominant,
rule-bending Aprilia of Max Biaggi in 2010.
Leon has had competitive machinery for the last eight
seasons and nothing to show for it – I’ve always wondered how good he really is
and where his level is...I think today showed he hasn’t quite got the
consistency or racecraft it takes to become a champion. He’s a good rider, but
for me not a great rider. You would be hard pressed to find a more determined
and hard rider this side of Cal Crutchlow but that alone doesn’t bring home
championships. I truly believe Leon has found his level in WSB, consistent top
five but not enough for top two again. I’m more than happy to see him prove me
wrong, I’d be happy for that to happen.
The other Leon, of the Camier variety, is another one that
flatters to deceive. A wholly dominant performance in BSB in 2009 saw the
former British Supersport Champion snapped up by the Factory Aprilia team on a two-season deal to propel him to world glory and become the next British Superbike World Champion. Unfortunately, for various reasons
including illness, Leon is another rider who hasn’t lived up to his potential
and again this season looks to be struggling with the level of competition.
Camier has proved in the past that he is capable of
delivering a title but I believe that again, just like Haslam, he has found his
level in WSB and I wonder if he’s got what it takes to get to the next level
that Fogarty, Hodgson and Toseland all achieved before him. Personally, I don’t
think so. Again I’m more than happy to be proven wrong but I don’t think I will
be.
It’s great to see Tom Sykes raising his game to compete
amongst the best Superbike riders in the world and looking like a genuine
contender for the 2012 title ahead of his more experienced countrymen.
In World Supersport I’m starting to have serious doubts
about Sam Lowes, or more importantly his race winning potential. I don’t know
if it’s team management that’s affecting him or if he’s trying too hard – but in
a full season and 2 races it’s disappointing not to see him on top of the
podium. He needs a big season in 2012, and in post-race interviews looked
visibly shaken after a potentially a huge rollocking from his team boss.
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In BSB we had what really was a false start to the season at
Brands Hatch over Easter weekend, dreadful weather most of the weekend put paid
to us fans getting a true idea of who will be up front for 2012, not to mention
all the shiny new liveries, leathers and lids all coming away looking decidedly
second hand!
Obviously it’s been well documented what happened during
race day and the cancellation of race two, but kudos to the riders themselves
they still put on a good show for race one but I guarantee that Top 3 wont be
repeated again this season!
Thruxton saw us return to the dry racing, if a little bit on
the chilly side. BSB’s governing body decided to introduce a new rule in light
of the Brands debacle – a rule that is enforced across the British racing scene
already except BSB – in that any rider crashing out of any session must be
checked over by a Medical Officer and the bike passed over by Technical Control
before rejoining the session, very difficult to do with the one bike rule so I
expect less crashes for the rest of the season already...and Thruxton, one of
the fastest tracks on the calendar was testament to this!
The racing in Hampshire was fast and frantic as you would
expect, great to see the pre-season favourites getting back in to the
groove...apart from Michael Laverty, oh dear not the start he wanted, some
serious questions being asked in Louth as I type but expect him to be back up
front at Oulton Park...I hope!
There were awesome results for the Batley Brigade of Padgetts Racing at Thruxton, a
great win for the somewhat under-rated Ian lowry, who will no doubt emerge as a
genuine challenger this season, and a strong debut for his more experienced team-mate
Luca Scassa who showed glimpses of his class in both races at a circuit he’s
never seen before.
Also it was nice to see the main protagonists getting in to their
stride, two good second places for Tommy Hill after his Brands Hatch nightmare
and good results for Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton. I really can’t wait for better
weather at the next round at the fantastic Oulton Park – where again close
racing is almost guaranteed!
As always these are just my opinions, but most importantly –
thanks for reading.