Ant West

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-D

i was watching "Faster" the other day and remember how highly praised Hopkins was when he came into motogp. he was hailed as a future champion.

does anyone believe he will ever win a championship on a kawasaki?

---

Question on Hopkins is does anyone believe he would be a champion on the Yamaha or Honda? Kwak have no chance if he wouldn't.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by patnicholls

I think I've put this forward before, but you could argue that Suzuki and Kawasaki were somewhat flattered last year by the majority of Honda and Yamaha riders struggling - certainly compared to how they're doing this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Gr..._racing_season

Tech 3 were backmarkers last year with Sylvain and Makoto Tamada, and now with Michelins and Colin and JT on board they're consistent top 6 contenders.

Jorge Lorenzo has scored three-quarters as many points in 2008 so far as Colin did in the whole of last year on the second factory bike, even including a DNF and a DNS.

Two of the satellite Hondas in 2007, Nakano for JiR (now the Dovi bike, doing well in 2008) and Checa for LCR - still struggling with Randy de P - had a woeful time throughout 2007. Nicky struggled massively in 2007 until Assen - more so than this year arguably. Toni Elias had a bunch of crashes and injuries for Fousto Gresini's team which ruled him out of any contention.

All of that left only Valentino, Dani and Marco doing it for Honda and Yamaha in 07 and chances for Suzuki, Kawasaki and D'Antin to do quite well. In 2008 there are three more fast Yamahas at the front and a couple more Hondas near the pace, which will have knocked the Suzukis and Kawasakis back about four spots in the order, even if their time gap to the top has stayed constant. Loris is riding pretty well but is at the lower end of the top ten, and Chris V hasn't suddenly started riding badly (in 11th this year vs 6th overall last year). That would seem to bear out that things have got more difficult for the smaller teams.

With the best will in the world, I don't think the Kawasaki was a potential winner last year - it hasn't been at any stage since they re-entered in 2002. With Hopkins on board, it's still about as close on pace as Randy was this time last year (although both were/are not consistently on the pace) - the problem being that Westy is now a fair bit slower by comparison which seems to be down to confidence and not being able to get a satisfactory setup. It's the age-old 'thin line between clever and stupid' thing (see also M. Melandri & Ducati).

There's probably a point to this post, but I don't know what it is... :p

---

I don't think Kawasaki and Suzuki were flattered last year, they did a good job to become more competitive against Honda and Yamaha who didn't live up to expectation. The difference this year is that both Yam and Rhonda have got things sorted and Zook and team green haven't improved more to get on terms with them.
I think the problem for both Kawasaki and Suzuki is that they are too small on the grid and suffer from not enough bikes. Like Ryan and John said, satellite teams (with factory support) I think would help. At the moment, Kawasaki have West who simply cannot get along with the bike (I have a suspicion that this years Ninja is more designed for Hopkins but it completely doesn't suit Ant's style) and Hopkins seems to be in a constant state of injury whilst Suzuki have Capirossi performing reasonably solidly and Vermeulen having an 'anything that could go wrong is going wrong' type of season. With only 2 riders, it means there is much narrower margin for error. Yamaha last year is a good example. If Rossi didn't do well, they were pretty much nowhere. This year the load has been spread much further and if one does bad, there are others to pick up the slack. They also have 4 very good riders which is also quite critical to good performance (obviously). It would be great to see a Pons Kawasaki team and an Aspar or Schwantz Suzuki satellite teams to fill out the grid a bit.

From the MotoGP website.

Quote:

---

Donington visit provides litmus tests for Kawasaki duo
Tuesday, 17 June 2008

For John Hopkins and Anthony West, this weekend´s visit to Britain will be something of a moment of truth.


The bwin.com British Grand Prix will provide resolution to two pending issues for the Kawasaki Racing team, particular to riders John Hopkins and Anthony West. The former will find out just how much his back injury –suffered in a crash at the last round in Catalunya- has healed, whilst the latter will discover if a testing trip to Japan has helped to resolve his rear grip problems with the Ninja ZX-RR.

`In the lead up to the last two races I had been training very hard so thankfully I haven´t lost any fitness, which is always a problem when carrying injuries, and I've had the chance to rest to help the healing process,´ says Hopkins ahead of the Donington date. The Anglo-American gritted his teeth through a one day post-race test in Barcelona, with a view to a positive result at this latest race.

` I´m still very stiff and sore, but Donington Park is like a home away from home, and it's a track I definitely enjoy. For me the British race is one of the biggest races of the season, with many members of my family coming to support me, and regardless of my injury I´ll be looking to gain a strong result aboard the Kawasaki.´

Under pressure to perform one year on from his Kawasaki debut, West is riding for his future at every round of the 2008 season. The rain may, as it did last year, play into the Australian´s hands at Donington Park, and his visit to the land of the rising sun last week was devised with the purpose of preparing him for this and future outings.

`After Catalunya I flew to Japan to complete two days of intensive testing. Unfortunately the first day was rained off, but we managed to get quite a few laps in on day two and the results were positive. We focussed particularly on changing the engine settings to improve the overall handling of the machine and we found a set-up direction that's very different from what I´m used to,´ says an optimistic West.

`The bike felt really good, but the track had a lot more grip in comparison to those we race on in MotoGP, so the real test for the changes we´ve made will be this weekend at Donington Park. Last year we gained a strong result during my first outing on the Ninja ZX-RR and I hope that with the work we´ve done in the last week, we can be back where we belong in the top ten.´

---

And after first practice, Westy's Japan test seems to be bearing fruit finishing 13th, slightly under 1.5 seconds behind fastest man, Stoner. Not where he'd like to be but something to hopefully build on.

Fingers crossed for him

as shown so far this weekend, when the bike is right, west can fight.

hey, i like that. i might trademark it even... :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-D

as shown so far this weekend, when the bike is right, west can fight.

hey, i like that. i might trademark it even... :)

---

You're a poet and you didn't know it!

West is officially on the improve with 2 'good' practice sessions in a row. Now begins the fightback. :up:

Go Westy :up:

At the world superbikes at the island, I bought my little sister a Kawasaki bear, she named it Westy! :) His fanbase is growing by the minute! :D

"Ant's" comments after day 1 Donington

`Finally I can say that we´ve managed to make a real step forward with the rear traction problems we have suffered with for so long. The recent test in Japan was positive and this has been proven on the track today, as we´re not so far off the pace. The setting we have found does mean the bike now wheelies more, however this is much easier to deal with than not being able to exit the turns. We still need to improve the first part of corner exit, but the rear is gripping much better and driving forward out of the turns rather than spinning so much, which means it feels a lot more controllable and stable than previously. I hope that this improvement can be reflected on qualifying rubber tomorrow, and although there is still a lot of work to do, I feel confident that we are heading in the right direction.´

Bravo Ant!

FP3 and Westy is on fire!!!

Westy tops the charts!!! He has that confidence back!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NinjaMaster

At the world superbikes at the island, I bought my little sister a Kawasaki bear, she named it Westy! :) His fanbase is growing by the minute! :D

---

Great name for the little bear!! I didn't see them..I must look out at motoGP for one!!

Great result from FP3.

What was the weather doing?

4th in FP3 - can't complain with that (though when he was in front I hoped it would last :) ). Hoping it's a wet race now! :devil:

Great work by Ant, as well as Dovi, and Guintoli. If it rains tomorrow, it will be a real interesting race.

The sun has started to come out!!

The BBC says rain today and for the race!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NinjaMaster

4th in FP3 - can't complain with that (though when he was in front I hoped it would last :) ). Hoping it's a wet race now! :devil:

---

Here's hoping that FP3 has given Ant a much needed confidence boost..

Towards the end there he was 1st 2 nd and then 4th!! And is ahead of Casey and Chris..and his team mate, He's got to be happy with that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roby44

The BBC says rain today and for the race!!

---

Don't trust the BBC, it was so sunny yesterday.

I think West has done a step forwards this weekend, first time in the top 10 in qualifying and race.

Yep, 10th yesterday for Westy - much more like it.

He is showing that he is capable, and taking small steps to get back in the fight. Good effort IMO.

This weekend proved 2 things.

1) Ant found something in Japan this past week.
2) Ant needs to work on his dry qualifying. He's proved that if he can start further up the grid he's not just going to fade to the back. He's been riding at the back because he's been starting at the back.

I often don't give Ant that much credit, but this weekend he's proved that his season is not over just yet and he hasn't given up so perhaps we (me) shouldn't give up on him (just yet).

You would make a fine politician Ryan :laugh:

Like My Roby, Ant gives his all each and every time he takes to the track..

So I'll keep on supporting Roby and Ant no matter what happens or where they might be on the grid or leaderboard..

I know they both have it in them to WIN and one day they will !! ;)

That's the spirit :)

Have to say, well chuffed to see Ant happy after a race.. Hope he keeps progressing at a track he loves, in Assen.. ;) Goooo Ant :D

I thought you would be pleased Jake, just hope the lad can give us more of the same, or better, :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxu05

That's the spirit :)

---

The Famous Aussie Spirit!! ;)

Famous Aussie Spirit ? That would be Bundy :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxu05

Famous Aussie Spirit ? That would be Bundy :)

---

And they say I have a problem!! ;) :)

:) :beer: :)

That darn Bear "won" last night!! :dozey:

Published: 28 Jun 2008
After the disappointment of the qualifying crash that sidelined John Hopkins, the Kawasaki Racing Team were dealt a double blow at Assen today when Anthony West crashed out of the Dutch TT just 7 laps into the race.

The 26-year-old Kawasaki pilot got a good start from the sixth row of the grid, but lost contact with the group ahead of him after losing time avoiding Alex De Angelis, who highsided himself out the race on the opening lap, right in front of West's Ninja ZX-RR.

With his head down and his lap times the same as the riders battling for fourth place, West fought his way back to 11th position and was starting to close the gap to the group ahead of him. Another top ten finish looked a distinct possibility for the Kawasaki pilot, until he lost the front under braking for the right-hand corner at Stekkenwal and crashed out of the race.

With Hopkins already on his way back to America for further medical treatment by the time West lined up to start the 26-lap race, the Australian's premature exit marks the first time this season that a Kawasaki has not made it all the way to the chequered flag.

While obviously disappointed with today's result, West remains confident that the recent engine upgrades to his Ninja ZX-RR will allow him to make amends in the next race in Sachsenring, which takes place in just two weeks time.

Whether Kawasaki teammate Hopkins will be riding alongside West in Germany remains to be seen. The 25-year-old Anglo-American will undergo a bone scan in Los Angeles next week that should reveal more about his two tibia fractures and the crack in the lateral malleolus bone of his ankle, sustained when he collided with the tyre wall on the outside of the ultra-fast Ramshoek corner.

Only once the full extent of Hopkins' injuries are known will a decision be made as to whether he will rejoin West for the German Grand Prix in Sachsenring.

Anthony West: #13 - DNF
"I got a good start to the race, although it was difficult from so far back on the grid because the first turn is quite tight. I had made up a few places when Alex de Angelis highsided in front of me and I had to almost stop the machine to avoid hitting him. The bike was feeling good and in the next few laps I managed to pass a few people into 11th place. I was sure I could catch the group ahead of me and be well within the top ten, but we were lapping at a similar pace and with the incident at the start, I had to push just that little bit harder. Unfortunately I lost the front of the bike and crashed out, which is a real disappointment because we were quite strong today. The new engine upgrades have made a difference and we still have more grip than previously, despite struggling a little bit in places with cornering. We just need some luck on our side and, hopefully, we'll be fighting for good positions next time out at Sachsenring."

Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
"We've made a lot of improvements this weekend, so it is quite disheartening to come away with no points. John's injuries from the crash yesterday ruled him out of the race, so all of our hopes were on Anthony, who I felt sure was capable of repeating his top-ten Donington success. The incident at turn one left him quite a long way back, but he rode hard to pass a few people into 11th place, and was catching the group ahead of him. His lap times were consistently fast and it's a real frustration because with the upgrades we've made this weekend, he was very capable of achieving a good result. We now have to focus on taking advantage of the developments we've made at the next round."

Fantastic result considering his injury.... Guts personified....This is what Ant is really all about. Mind you the other two Aussies did OK also. hehe

Anthony West – tenth

`I´m disappointed because it was possible for me to finish much higher than tenth today. I got a good start and made up lots of places in the opening laps, eventually closing onto the back of Chris Vermeulen and Alex De Angelis, who were battling for fifth place. I was pushing hard to stay with them when I lost the front under braking for the final turn. It was a stupid mistake to make, but luckily the bike wasn´t too badly damaged and I was able to rejoin the race quite quickly. From then it was just a case of getting my head down and trying to retake as many places as possible. It was quite hard, because my injured back was really sore and I couldn´t push on the left foot peg, as most of it was snapped off in the crash. ( Ant doesnt mention here but his gear lever was also only half its normal length) This is only my second top ten finish of the season but that´s no consolation when I know, but for a stupid mistake, I could have finished much higher today.´

Wonder if we will hear all about how well Ant is doing with a fractured vertebrae like we did with Hopper.......... :)

I almost took up religion to get it to rain knowing that all of the Aussie's would do well in those conditions, especially Ant West who could have done with a good placing to show his wares. Regardless, good recovery considering the matters referred to in Pantah Jack's post.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pantah Jack

Fantastic result considering his injury.... Guts personified....This is what Ant is really all about.

Wonder if we will hear all about how well Ant is doing with a fractured vertebrae like we did with Hopper.......... :)

---

You mean when Hopper beat Ant even when riding with a broken vertebrae?

Your right, they are both tough!

Hmmmmm..... unfortunately i still think Ant is looking at the finish line of his MotoGP career....

Sachsenring was a perfect perfect opportunity to grab a bucketful of points and he blew it.... and management were not happy apparently.

I'd love to see him retain his ride, but geez i think he's out of time :(

Yep Yep Yep

Roll on the silly season.........

@ Jack... Do you know something!! :eek:

I still think Ant might get one more change in GP, at least with a Sattelite team.. I sure hope.. If not, a top WSBK ride shouldnt be out of the question.. As the Pantah says, bring it on!!