Ant West

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15th August 2007, 08:41
tha_jackal

If he gets a gig in GP next year, watch out!! ;)

On that very subject:-

West vs DePuniet

Several sources suggest that Kawasaki will almost certainly be running two bikes again next year (not the rumoured upgrade to three.) They are due to announce their plans (as far as machinery/sponsorship goes) some time this weekend and Brno. One thing that won't be decided until the latter end of the year (according to crash.net) is who will partner Hopper at team green in 2008.

MCN revealed that West has emerged as favorite after his highly impressive performance at Laguna (being his first time at the track and finishing just behind Randy) and overall impressive learning curve over his first four races in the premier class..

Personally, well I think you know what my preference is, but I think Randy will get the gig just because he's the 'safer' of the options, so to speak.. What do you guys want/think will be the outcome of Kawasaki's lineup for 2008 and where will the rider that misses out end up..

Cheers!
15th August 2007, 09:31
maxu05

After 11 races, Randy has managed to finish 6 times in the points, for a total of 50 points and 12th in the championship. Westy has raced in only 4 races,finished in the points on all 4 occasions, for 29 points and 16th in the championship.
Randy = 4.5 points per race on average.
Westy = 7.25 points per race. The other plus for Westy is he is less likely to throw it down the road. If I was picking the rider, I would have to go with Westy.
15th August 2007, 11:09
osg

Quote:

Originally Posted by tha_jackal

If he gets a gig in GP next year, watch out!! ;)

On that very subject:-

West vs DePuniet

Several sources suggest that Kawasaki will almost certainly be running two bikes again next year (not the rumoured upgrade to three.) They are due to announce their plans (as far as machinery/sponsorship goes) some time this weekend and Brno. One thing that won't be decided until the latter end of the year (according to crash.net) is who will partner Hopper at team green in 2008.

MCN revealed that West has emerged as favorite after his highly impressive performance at Laguna (being his first time at the track and finishing just behind Randy) and overall impressive learning curve over his first four races in the premier class..

Personally, well I think you know what my preference is, but I think Randy will get the gig just because he's the 'safer' of the options, so to speak.. What do you guys want/think will be the outcome of Kawasaki's lineup for 2008 and where will the rider that misses out end up..

Cheers!

to further that discussion jackal.......

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~152879.htm

de Puniet, West fight for 2008 seat.

Tuesday, 14th August 2007

With John Hopkins already confirmed at Kawasaki for 2008, but a second big name signing yet to materialise, existing riders Randy de Puniet and Anthony West are facing a seven race showdown to join the Anglo-American next season.

de Puniet is entering the second half of his second season with Kawasaki, while West was hired at June's British Grand Prix to replace the under performing Olivier Jacque for the rest of the year.

The fast but somewhat mistake prone de Puniet had looked a safe bet to stay for next season, but Kawasaki's determination to put proven riders on its highly rated ZX-RR next year - combined with West's impressive learning curve - mean that the Frenchman's seat is far from secure.

The good news for de Puniet and West is that Loris Capirossi looks set to join Suzuki, rather than accept a Kawasaki offer, but the possibility of a third 'Ninja' on the 2008 grid seems to have gone quiet - indicating that at least one rider will leave at the end of the year and making every remaining race, starting this weekend in Brno, vital.

"I feel very fit and ready for the rest of the season," declared de Puniet. "Also, I like Brno. I won there in 2003, got a second in 2004 and had many top ten finishes there, when I was riding in the 250cc world championship. I think the Ninja ZX-RR is going to perform well there, too, with good power for the straights and plenty of acceleration. I'm looking forward to it."

"I wasn't expecting to get such a good result in Laguna but figure if I can do that on a track I don't know, then hopefully I can keep on improving when I'm back on a track I do know," warned West, seventh and one place behind de Puniet at the US GP. "I'm more familiar with the bike now, too. I'm looking forward to seeing the team again and working together and I'm having a lot of fun on this bike so yes, Brno should be good."

If i were Kawasaki....... West would be on the 2nd bike... De Puniet is obviously not learning from his mistakes.
15th August 2007, 11:37
Mach24

and again...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Aug/e/n070814d.htm

There is considerable curiosity over how the Kawasaki MotoGP team will fill their 2008 seats.

Kawasaki have stated they think their bike is capable of winning races and they want top riders on board next season. The team already signed John Hopkins to a big money deal, but the list of top riders is shrinking. Loris Capirossi likely will sign with Suzuki. Dani Pedrosa is unlikely to leave Honda. Colin Edwards probably has a home with Yamaha in some capacity.

The partner or partners to John Hopkins on the ZX-RR for next season are open. Remember, Kawasaki has stated they want to field a third bike for next season, if there is a proper budget.

Randy De Puniet and Ant West currently race the bike. Both have shown flashes this year. Maybe not race winning flashes, but both are younger riders who may continue to improve.

Another rider possibly in the mix is Roger Hayden. The factory pilot currently racing in America in the Supersport and Superbike classes rode impressively as a wild card last month at Laguna Seca. He also has a tie-in with Monster energy drinks, as does John Hopkins. Could Monster (who sponsors the American Kawasaki roadracing and motocross teams) extend their deal to MotoGP next season?

So keep your eyes peeled to see how West and De Puniet perform the rest of the season. And if Hayden tests the bike again or rides more wild cards this year.
15th August 2007, 12:30
tha_jackal

What a crappy article! Honestly, American biased drivel :laugh: Ant 'may' continue to improve? He's had four races FFS, of course he's going to improve, enough to overthrow Randy eventually, im sure..

Realistically, RLH doesnt have much of a chance, if a third bike is run (Monster energy needed to jump on board $$$) then he'll be considered, however that is looking extremely unlikely at this point in time.. The most likely choices are Capirossi,(Suzuki bound?) DePuniet and West, period.. Also, how dare they mention Edwards as a 'top' signing, hes on the way out and only ever been a GP support act at best :lol: .. the cheek!
18th August 2007, 11:00
jim mcglinchey

Whats this about West slagging off Chris Vermeulen in the Aus press, saying that he regularly kicked Chris's arse when they were teens. Was it a throwaway comment or is anyone taking it seriously?
18th August 2007, 11:49
tha_jackal

Was a comment made in jest in the MCN article .. He was just saying, back in their dirt tracking days (remember that they were only kids, barely teenagers) Ant would kick CV's arse and at lunchtime (after the first two race wins to Ant) CV would crack the ****s and go home while Ant went on to win the third race of the day heheh.. Just a joke, no malice intended im sure..
19th August 2007, 01:15

West v Vermeulen

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim mcglinchey

Whats this about West slagging off Chris Vermeulen in the Aus press, saying that he regularly kicked Chris's arse when they were teens. Was it a throwaway comment or is anyone taking it seriously?

Jim........Both of these guys are from South East Queensland and have enviable riding records from when they were kids and going head-to-head. However, Australia's the driest country in the world therefore it follows that they were inflicted with the endemically arid sense of humour which results in we Australians continually taking the p... out of each other. The Kiwis are affected likewise. As unbelievable as it may sound, we have occasionally been known to take the p... out of the poms, Irish, yanks, Europeans and most others. Call it a friendly ragging said in jest rather than a slagging.

Time for my medication...Regards from me and the other inpatients. :D
19th August 2007, 04:21
Mach24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod Richardson

Jim........Both of these guys are from South East Queensland and have enviable riding records from when they were kids and going head-to-head. However, Australia's the driest country in the world therefore it follows that they were inflicted with the endemically arid sense of humour which results in we Australians continually taking the p... out of each other. The Kiwis are affected likewise. As unbelievable as it may sound, we have occasionally been known to take the p... out of the poms, Irish, yanks, Europeans and most others. Call it a friendly ragging said in jest rather than a slagging.

Time for my medication...Regards from me and the other inpatients. :D

Love your work RR, can you share that medication around?
20th August 2007, 01:23
tha_jackal

Good Ant West video on motogp.com for those that have a subscription.. Worth a look..

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