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batholomew already blew it by publicly mentioning that they were recruiting dovi for 2009. i know that professional riders are supposed to be super mentally strong, but that bit of news 2 races into the season would crush anyone's confidence.
i think it's al between the ears for ant. no way a rider of Ant's caliber performs WORSE after an entire offseason of testing than he did with almost no testing.
Ant needs a
Aussie Aussie Aussie
Oi Oi Oi
To show him that we are all behind him come what may...
If I remember rightly, Bartholemy said that Rossi would be their number 1 target to recruit for next year followed by Dovi and Bautista. Whilst he didn't say any of these guys was a definate to ride for them next year, you're right in saying it can't be good for Ant's morale to know that they're already looking at other riders for next year. Having said that though, he also mentioned that they were expecting to run 3 bikes next year so all I assume is that their plans were/are to run Westy on the 3rd bike as the riders listed as targets weren't mentioned as though they would land a few of 'em. At the end of the day, West's goal is quite simple. Ride fast and make it irresistable for KRT to re-sign him.Quote:
Originally Posted by T-D
Perhaps he needs an Ant, Ant, Ant - Oi, Oi, Oi! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Roby44
MotGP meets MXGP
Check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXWXK...=press&id=1132
Jack
14 May 2008
WEST CONQUERS CÔTE DE LA REDOUTE
Kawasaki's Anthony West completed one of the hardest physical challenges he's ever faced on Sunday 11th May, when he cycled the 137km Tilff-Bastogne-Tilff sportive route.
The sportive ride follows the route of "La Doyenne", the oldest classic race on the Pro-Tour cycling calendar, which was won this year by Spaniard Alejandro Valverde. And while the full route is more than 230km in length, the 137km covered by Ant on Sunday took in all of the major climbs that regularly feature in the Pro-Tour race, including the infamous Côte de la Redoute, which reaches a maximum gradient of 20% at it's steepest point.
It was an impressive performance from West, who covered more miles on this one outing than he's ridden since taking up road cycling just three weeks ago. The 26-year-old Aussie completed the course in a time of six hours, which for a novice cyclist was pretty exceptional.
"I only intended to do the 68km route originally, but I thought I might as well carry on after I passed the turn-off for the shorter loop," said West. "I was feeling good on the outward leg of the longer loop, but on the return leg the hills started to take their toll."
"I couldn't believe how steep some of them were, or how long. The Col du Rosier seemed to go on forever, certainly longer than the 4500 metres it mentioned on the route map. But the big one was definitely the Côte de la Redoute, which just appears out of nowhere after 121km. When I turned the corner onto the main part of the climb it was like looking up at a wall!"
Once over the Côte de la Redoute, West had just over five kilometres of downhill in which to recover, before rolling into the picturesque town of Tilff to complete his epic journey.
"At the end I was completely exhausted, but it was a good feeling to actually finish. I guess I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd do it again, although some of the team are threatening to sign me up for the full 237km route next year! It's hard to believe that the majority of the people riding the event were doing it for fun," concluded Kawasaki's answer to Lance Armstrong.
West's PA, Ben Skepper, and Kawasaki's Communications Manager, Ian Wheeler, also completed the event, but both opted for the shorter 68km route.
"I did the longer route last year, but I'd been training for it for months, and I still found it incredibly hard," declared Wheeler. "It's pretty impressive that Ant, who hadn't done more than 100km in total on a road bike before this event, managed to complete the course in such a quick time. I guess it just goes to show that you need a good level of base fitness to ride a MotoGP bike week in, week out."
Completing the Kawasaki line-up at the Tilff-Bastogne-Tilff sportive was the team's sticker and print guru, Dany Haag, who was accompanied on the 137km route by four members of the Helowa Cycling Club, who are based in Eupen, Belgium - where Anthony West now lives during the racing season.
He sure does put in the effort doesn't he??
Great effort Ant, but, keep it up. If you need some inspiration, just look at Bayliss. I hope this gets him fired up and boosts his confidence.
Ant should give up cycling, its too dangerous.
Bayliss was injured at Assen because he crashed while cycling, Rolfo crashed on his mountain-bike while training and missed Monza, and Broc Parkes was injured at Monza because he crashed his bicycle.
Funny when you think that these guys ride 2 wheel monsters for a living that they crash while riding push-bikes
Seems it's a dangerous pasttime. Team Kawasaki Australia rider has missed races in the last few years and the recent tests because of crashing his treadlie. His teammate also missed the test because of a jet-ski incident. I think perhaps they should stick to the excerise bikes.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisS
I think one of the commentators last week in Superbikes was saying that too.
It is hard to imagine though isn't it? They spend so much time out there on the track at break neck speeds and "mostly" nothing happens. But put them on pushbikes and .. :confused: