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Bayliss used #12 when his WSBK #21 was used by Hopkins for Valencia... maybe Ant could use #41 in the same vain...
Regardless, racing numbers are unimportant. I hope he gets a good result in Donington to secure his place for the time being and hopefully into the future. :up:
Who does DePuniet think he is stealing Ant's number anyway! :D I think Ant'll go for #41 also, but Ninja makes a good argument.. Maybe he'll go for #28, 14x2 :D Anyway, as Malllen eluded to, it really is meaningless, but itll be nice to find out.. Ive also heard he's had a new set of leathers and a helmet designed for the rest of the year, they should be interesting to see also!Quote:
Originally Posted by Malllen
Haha, bit of a waste getting his new Yamaha leathers last week! :laugh:
geez thats a great post :up:Quote:
Originally Posted by kymando
Look, i guess all we can hope for for Anthony is that he settles in well, and garners some solid top 10 placings for the remainder of the season. Anything more is a big bonus. If it rains......... well, Vermuelen, Stoner and Melandri will have their hands full :p :
They wouldnt want it any other way!Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
Don't do something for nothing... especially if it's life threatening! : ) There's huge amounts of money in this sport even with the minnows like Kawasaki, Westy will be paid alright.Quote:
Do you think he'd be getting paid for his contract? Or would it be voluntary? My gut feeling is the latter...
Looking forward to seeing that too. So what's with the helmet he was using in WSS, isn't that an older Charpentier rep?Quote:
Ive also heard he's had a new set of leathers and a helmet designed for the rest of the year, they should be interesting to see also!
Now we have the cat amongst the pigeons we will all have some fun, except maybe for some of those motogp dudes who have been hangin' around for way too long.
As for the number go 13 haha
Well Jake, West would want to get paid pretty well based on this article from Eurosport.Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
British GP - West secures MotoGP ride
Eurosport - Wed, 20 Jun 21:32:00 2007
British GP - Australian Anthony West has switched to MotoGP after Yamaha allowed him to buy out his contract to race for them in the World Supersport series.
The 250cc grand prix race winner tested for Kawasaki in Barcelona last week and has been tipped to replace injured Frenchman Olivier Jacque for the remainder of the season.
Confirmation was expected at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park on Thursday, before the first practice session on Friday.
"I feel I've got my career back on track," West, 25, said in a Yamaha statement, without naming his new employers.
"To leave Yamaha now is sad but it's such a great chance for me to follow my dream to go to MotoGP.
"The financial compensation I've got to pay is severe but I've got the chance to show what I can do on a MotoGP bike and I hope it's worth it."
West last competed in the top category in 2001, when he rode a privately-entered 500cc Honda.
Maybe Ants feedback and team communication isnt so bad after all! .. According to Kawasaki spokesman Ian Wheeler ..
Story Here
A quote for all you lazy sods:-
"The internal discussion took place straight after he tested the bike but still working on the whole thing up until Sunday afternoon and that’s when it was finalized," added Wheeler.
“He turned up on Monday at Catalunya and there were no expectations on our part and his whole approach to the test was completely professional.
His times were promising but really it all came down to what he managed to communicate to the team and the assessment of his technical ability in the bike.
It was then really that the possibility of him being a replacement started to be considered more seriously."
Well, the big chance you've all been waiting for arrives!
Kawasaki have revamped their efforts this year; said that now they've got the bike, just need the riders. Westy has been saying he can do the job for years, after three races showing he definitely can do it on a Supersport bike now comes his full-on big MotoGP opportunity.
I think realistically, spend a couple of races settling into the machinery and getting to the flag with no silly DNFs, then look at moving forwards. Personally, I think Randy de Puniet's got the pace on the Kwaka but lacks a bit of consistency and also luck. The other thing Westy needs to is keep his head down and stay quiet while he gets into things. He needs to give himself a fair run without saying anything silly. Although I hadn't realised he's still only 25.
But seriously, good luck to him.
Well, well, well.......he's done it.......Full points to Kawasaki for providing this opportunity for AW. I'd reckon that he's chosen the #13 as a "middle-finger" to the superstitious.
Moto GP 2007 is already a thrill-a-minute and now the cat is really among the pigeons. He would no doubt benefit from progressing in the class as suggested by Pat Nic.
However, this is West we're talking about.....It'd be akin to expecting a bull-rider to take it easy after he jumps on "Chainsaw" and the gate opens.
I'd expect a lot of other riders to get a view of his backside early on. .....Sit back and buckle up!
Hey spot on with the number choice Jackster! :D Whats the chances of Kawasaki running a three rider team next year, DePuniet, West and Hopper? Thatd be Niiiiice :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Pantah Jack
While it's going to be great to see what Ant and team green can pull out of their sleeves over the rest of the season. I can't help but feel a little sad that OJ is announcing his retirement from racing.
Big props to OJ. He hasn't impressed much over the first half of this year, but over his entire career he has been an impressive rider and person.
Big props.
Yeah, your right.Quote:
Originally Posted by fatman
Through the euphoria for Ant the end of OJ should not simply slide by.
A great competitor and a champion! All the best in retirement OJ.
I'm sorry i just can't agree there..... i'll never, ever forgive him for how he stole the 250 World Title from Shinya.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
So you don't wish him well?Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
What, stole it by winning it fair and square?Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
Top 10 in first practise would indicate he at least has the speed for the job. What were the conditions?
cool and wet and the forecast for the weekend isnt great either.
sorry mach.... left a bit out of the post....Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
i wish him well in retirement, but the bloke was a snake in the grass as a rider. Dirty dirty rider tactically.
Westy already giving Rossi the hurry-up! :D
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image...ngton/1/3a.jpg
On OJ, I remember his reputation in 250 as a hard charger who had a tendency to ride past the limit. Which is probably why I found it so ammusing in '98 (I think) when he accused Bayliss of riding too hard when Troy had a wildcard ride on an uncompetitive Suzuki 250 at the Island.
Westy already giving Rossi the hurry-up!
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image...ngton/1/3a.jpg
On OJ, I remember his reputation in 250 as a hard charger who had a tendency to ride past the limit. Which is probably why I found it so ammusing in '98 (I think) when he accused Bayliss of riding too hard when Troy had a wildcard ride on an uncompetitive Suzuki 250 at the Island.
God i love the leather and helmet design that Ant has going!!!!!!!!!!! Wicked :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by NinjaMaster
Yer i agree, looking good with the aussie green and gold on his lid.. :up:Quote:
Originally Posted by osg
I gotta say I am just a bit disappointed in Ant's performance first time out. I know its only his second time on the bike and blah blah blah but I did expect just a tad more.
Hope he can find some consistent pace for the race and stay upright.
I guess I need to re-evaluate my expectations........
bit harsh Mach.......... first time ever on quali tyres, intermittent weather etc etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach24
Lets see how he goes with race pace.
I am sure Ant's expectations are even greater than mine.
He may well be right on the money in race trim but struggling in quali.
Time will tell and Ant has a few races up his sleeve. However if he wants this ride in 08' he can not warm up for too long. Something tells me Capirossi, Melandri and Co are now very keen to be on the Green machine.
For sure its a tad dissapointing to be down the lower end of the sheets but realistically this has been the WORST possible weekend for Ant. Rain on day one then complete dry for day two. That would mean he had to learn the track in the dry on the new bike (second time riding in the dry) and re-do the entire setup. Honestly, its about what i expected..
I think this sums it up pretty well though:-
West Crew Chief
“Yesterday we found a good wet set up but today we had to start again in the dry and it’s very difficult to jump on a bike for the first time and then experience such differing conditions. Anthony did very well indeed: it’s the first time he’s used a qualifying tyre and that isn’t easy. Our target is for him to finish the race and he was very consistent on race tyres. We will keep taking it step by step and I think he’s going to improve quickly. We just need a little time.”
He'll only get better and he always races better than he qualifies... Gooo Ant..
I watched the Qualifying live on Motogp.com, and Mark Bracks interviewed Westy's team manager. Bracks asked his manager what he expects from Ant, and he said " Just to go out and enjoy riding the bike." I think that sums it up. His team is putting no pressure on him, I think, as they know Ant is already motivated enough to want to do well. I think they know what he can do, but it will take a few races to get up to speed. Go Westy :up:
"Wee-a want eem to gain a-pleasuure from rideeng this-a machine." :DQuote:
Originally Posted by maxu05
- Direct quote from Michael Bartholemly ( spelling? :confused: )
He's topped morning warmup! Nice!
i jinxed him by picking him for a wet podium. next time 'ill shut up. :laugh:
If he didnt make that mistake he would have been on the podium im sure.. Either way, he did well in my book, on and off the track. Was happy and chatty in his interviews before and after the race and really gutsed it out to come home in 11th and score some points ( more than OJ has this year, yes ill remind you again! :D ) Bring on Assen and bring on the next 10 races .. CANI! P.S One reason Ant might of been slighty unhappy with his 250 team is the fact that they never paid him ... and still havnt.. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by T-D
He was doing great and the wet can do these things to you. I think the potential shown in the early laps were enough to keep his new employers happy.Quote:
Originally Posted by tha_jackal
That was a pity he has to ride motogp without his trademark on the 14 number.
Congrats that finally West has the chance riding motogp, and makes Rossi surprised on the first wet race.
Shame for Ant running off track, and wasn't he dark on himself when he returned to track........... i agree, a podium for sure was on the cards, but lets put it down to a learning experience.... great fight back to get 11th.
Another great pic : )
Courtesy of mcnews.com.au (g'day Trev)
http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleR...08_3816_AN.jpg
West really impressed me this weekend. Obviously I had heard good things about him but didn't really know much about him. To get onto a MotoGP bike and ride it as well as he did is very impressive. Even after he fell off (before which he was flying) he still kept on going and looked mightily quick flying past the riders further back. At the end it seemed as though his tyres were going off but it didn't dampen a great performance. Sadly he (and everyone else) is left to ponder 'what if?'
Only till the next race! : )Quote:
Originally Posted by Miguel Sanchez
Looks like a good chance of rain across the weekend @ Assen too, but honestly, i want to see him get up there in the dry... :up:Quote:
Originally Posted by The Phantom