Weekend Thoughts....and are they good enough to win a title?

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.