Ant West

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxu05

Being an Aussie (living in China at the moment), I have always barracked for Ant West, but, after the coments he made I have lost a lot of respect for the guy to be honest. I can accept his comments about getting a factory ride, as I believe he has shown so much talent and determination on the track. The comment he made about needing better machanics, could have only brought morale in the team to a low. Now, his comment to the media is all we heard. If he said that on the air, what does he say within the team that we don't get to hear ? I think I am starting to understand why he doesn't have a factory ride. I think Anthony should take a leaf out of Pasini's book, as that was the a great moment in motorcycle racing history IMO, when he hugged his mechanic in the pit garage after what must have been the most frustrating situation, 4 pole positions and only a 10th place to show for it. How unlucky could the guy be ? I think Westy should go to WSS, but, I think he should not expect to get everything he wants NOW. By the way, I didn't hear too much whining from KRJr at Suzuki for all those years riding that total dog box, he just got on with it and kept on trying. Shinya Nakano at Kawasaki didn't whine about the bike, and I bet he won't whine about his current ride on the Minolta Honda ride, he will just keep on giving his best I'm sure. A great champ is not just the fastest rider, he must be a diplomat, a salesman and a good communicator. Sponsors want a rider that goes fast, can promote a good image for their product, and not attract unwanted publicity. If Ant West was on TV promoting a product after those comments he made after the race, I am sure that quite a lot of people would not buy the product, just for the fact that they think Ant West is a total prat. So, Westy, don't go down the Max Biaggi Highway, get it together and show some diplomacy, and look after your mechanics and team, then they will look after you.

---

Thats a very good post John and I agree with a lot of it. I also struggle to keep my level of enthusiam up for Ant after comments like that but then, given that Anthony Gobert is still my favourite rider, I guess I have a lot of patience!
Just a couple of things though, on what he said about the mechanics in public, I couldn't care if they had a fist fight within the team, so long as it remained within the team and they all knew where they stood. At least the mechanics have a comeback at him in that situation.
As for KRJr not grizzling, I think you have a short memory. He whinged plenty and if I remember rightly, he pulled out of races because of a lack of competitiveness. Shinya had a factory bike and is currently on good machinery, capable of better than he is taking it. And I'm sure neither of them have ridden for teams without getting paid.
And finally on the champion part, Carl Fogarty doesn't fit those criteria you mention yet I would class him as a great superbike champion. He's just not a very well liked one! :D

Winner! :D Gooo Ant, stick it up em! ;)

That's better Ant. Keep it up, and secure a WSS/WSBK ride for next year. Just remember to be diplomatic, and you will be a champ for sure.

when I was watching the race I made a plan for the Kawasaki MotoGP team..

pick up West, and you'll win a race when wet!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Corny

when I was watching the race I made a plan for the Kawasaki MotoGP team..

pick up West, and you'll win a race when wet!

---

He did come third in the dry two weeks before remember? He's a talented rider no matter what the conditions, so long as he has the machinery. He'll be in WSS next year, then maybe WSBK and hopefully try and make another go for MotoGP after that, its a sideways step but its one that needs to be made methinks.

Great ride by West at Silverstone. Aussies are all over the podiums in MotoGP, WSB and WSS!

He's a very poor post-race interview though, and that definitely has some impact with potential sponsors.

westy is the man. it will be good for his psyche to leave the ltrapolitical motogp arena and head to wss. i think he will be a champion in that series and also in wsbk (if he gets the right machine--which is less complex in wsbk than motogp).

Going to WSBK sure did a lot for Max, but he had a year off to cool down and think about things. I hope Ant does get over to WSS/WSBK, as I think it will kick start his career. If you get the gig Ant, keep your head down, work hard, and don't get all stroppy when things don't go your way and you will be fine.

It would be great to see Ant get in with a manufacturer, Yamaha for example, and have a crack at WSS which I have no doubt he could win. Then hopefully get the opportunity to step up to WSB with the same marque and if successful there, hopefully have the opportunity to step into MotoGP through the back door.
His certainly isn't the most charismatic rider on the planet but a lot of that is because he has a droney voice (not his fault). As for that affecting his sponsorship potential, his nationality plays more part in that in my opinion (Dani Pedrosa is hardly a riveting interview but I don't see him struggling for sponsorship) and a lack of results as well, which is a viscious cycle - no money = poor equipment, poor equipment = poor results, poor results = no sponsorship, etc. If he becomes a frequent winner, the sponsors will follow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tha_jackal

He did come third in the dry two weeks before remember? He's a talented rider no matter what the conditions, so long as he has the machinery. He'll be in WSS next year, then maybe WSBK and hopefully try and make another go for MotoGP after that, its a sideways step but its one that needs to be made methinks.

---

Sure he's a talented driver, but I think that guy can win a race in MotoGP when it rains.. That's exactly what Kawasaki needs, they haven't got the bike to win on a dry track..