yes. the yamaha is a proven winner in wsbk and wss. the kwack has been a complete failure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roby44
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yes. the yamaha is a proven winner in wsbk and wss. the kwack has been a complete failure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roby44
Not all doom and gloom for Ant.... Kawasaki seem to want to look after him..
Kawasaki close in on Melandri deal and third bike for 2009
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Kawasaki´s Michael Bartholemy has provided an update on the proposed recruitment of Italian MotoGP rider Marco Melandri.
Following Marco Melandri´s comments on Tuesday, on the final day of testing at Brno, that he is set to join Kawasaki at the end of this year, the Japanese manufacturer´s MotoGP Competition Manager Michael Bartholemy has confirmed that a deal is on the table – with final confirmation from Japan currently being awaited.
Bartholemy told motogp.com on Wednesday that the stamp of approval from his own bosses at Kawasaki Heavy Industries was still required, commenting, `We have reached an agreement with Marco Melandri meaning that he would join us for the next two years, but the deal still has to be approved by Kawasaki in Japan.´
Explaining what Melandri´s arrival would mean for current Kawasaki rider Anthony West, Bartholemy declared, `With regard to Anthony he will not be part of the main Kawasaki MotoGP team next season but we want to offer him a contract to remain as a Kawasaki factory rider, because we have invested a lot in him to bring him up a level since he joined us last year. That could mean that Anthony rides for us in another World Championship series.´
Meanwhile, Bartholemy is also still finalising plans to bring a third Kawasaki machine onto the MotoGP grid on a permanent basis next season and is positive about such a project taking place. For West that could mean a chance to remain in the premier class of motorcycle competition depending on sponsorship demands.
As Bartholemy explained, `If we do run a third bike it would be up to the sponsors and the management who the rider is, but Anthony West could be part of the package that we offer. In Misano we should be able to confirm that Melandri has joined us and we should be able to clarify the situation with the third bike.´
Even if he goes to WSS/WSBK, he can still get back into GP one day.. After he wins the championship that is :P Fingers crossed for a stay in GP's!!
Silly season in full swing!
Looks a bit brighter for Westy although it will be interesting to see whether the sponsors support him.
I don't think too much of Bartholomy's alleged comment that ".....we have invested a lot in him to bring him up a level since he joined us last year" given that it appears obvious that their bikes have not yet been developed to the point whereby they are potential race-winners and even Hopkins has been having his share of problems with the handling and getting the power down.
Personally, the more I read comments from Bartholemy the more I start to think of him as a total up himself prat.
IMO (and as mentioned in earlier posts) the comment 'because we have invested a lot in him to bring him up a level since he joined us last year' really does (to me at least) smack of high arrogance.
IMO, West has riding talent and this has been shown at times on the Kawasaki but was (again IMO) best displayed on the Yamaha in WSS. To me, West has not risen a level in MGP but rather remained stagnant or perhaps even dropped slightly and personally I read the comment more as a 'nice' way to say he (West) isn't good enough.
To me it appears obvious that more money is coming into the team from somewhere if they are now to afford Melandri as well as put in place a third bike (irrespective of the rider).
IMO as others have said, West would be best served at another manufacturer in terms of longer term future prospects, but staying another year with Kawasaki may earn some brownie points as well. Tough call time.
Garry
Perhaps statement about having invested a lot in someone is measured from amount of time, money spent to reflect that the team was attentive to the riders, whether or not the bike and the riders suffice it to say success developing their strength.
Usually every investment is expected to trigger benefit for the team. Therefore they will not let go someone whom they have invested in for the better result unless they gain considerable amount of feedback from the investment.
As stoked as I am for Kawasaki to snare Melandri, I'm disappointed for Ant whose MotoGP dream appears over just as it begins. I really hope that for the rest of the year he can really show his full wares and snag the (if there is one) third Kwak GP bike or a top factory WSB ride.
I'm glad to hear Kawasaki's support for him and that they want to keep him with the factory. His endeavours have obviously left a positive imprint given they want to continue having him in some capacity. I read Bartholemy's comments to include last year where they brought him into MotoGP and I think they've done a lot to try make him competitive. If he does race WSB or WSS (on the new ZX6R) I would hope the factory would do him justice and throw a lot of support behind the project.
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you know what, 13th is not much, but westy is now faster than hopkins the last 2 races, and that's a nice feather in the cap.
West to LCR.. you heard it hear first ....
Wishful thinking perhaps :D But he'd be SO much cheaper than DePuniet (pretty much ZERO crashing) and he might get on perfectly with the Honda.. Strap some Bridgestones on and im sure he'd achieve equivelant results with far less of a damage bill..
Come on Lucio! Give another Aussie a go :D
Geez Louise!!! :eek: I read that and thought GREAT!! Westy stays in MotoGP.
Hopefully LCR and Lucio read this forum and get the message.....