Ant West

LOL, yeah, I know his history. When you think he's actually raced 500's too, as well as that Shell Advance 250 he was on.
Sure it must be hard for him, but somehow comments more like "I'm grateful for the engine parts that have come my way, and the chance to use a better tyre. Hopefully we can get a few more parts from the factory and some more of the good tyres and try and improve, etc etc"

Not "Jeez, I've had a enough of this, if I don't get a factory bike I'm not going to stay here," and moaning about his mechanics like he did.

Ant might have talent, but so do a lot of other riders. Ants problem is that he is not a team player. He rides for himself and himself only. He is digging his own grave by being a hot head. He only needs to look at Max Biaggi as an example. With so many young guns to pick from why would a team want someone who clearly doesn't know the meaning of the word teamwork.

You need to stick with your team and at least present a unified front even if behind the scenes you're working on trying to get a new ride.

The first page of Mike Nicks' column at crash.net examples why Ants' attitude isn't the marking of a champion.

see: http://www.crash.net/news_View~cid~6~id~148319.htm

When people on your team make bad decisions which make winning or even scoring decent points impossible the last thing you do is trash your team. You admit defeat and rally to keep fighting.

Hes talking about Rossi's attitude, Rossi, whose never had bad maninery or a bad mechanic in his life! Put Rossi on the bikes Ant's had over the years and see how his attitude changes!

If Ant was Spanish or Italian he would of had a factory ride his entire career because of his riding ability, im sure theres plenty of European riders that have a worse attitude than Ant's but still get the right stuff because of their marketability aka nationality.

Also, alot of other riders arent interviewed straight after the race, from another forum:-

"If he had have had time to gather his thoughts after the race he might have phrased it better, but after watching him race his arse off to stay ahead of factory riders hats of to him. Rossi has always had the best machines and mechanics (thanks to dad) since day one,and he's been a winner so why would he whinge. After the WSS race Westy was happy as,because he had the good stuff . Frustration brings out the worst in everyone if he was Italian or Spanish he would get what he wants because he can ride,look how pissed off they get but they still get rides because sponsors love to see their logo on TV wheather the rider is an arsehole or not."

Surely people can understand his frustration?

If if if if!!! Fact is that as we've seen, Rossi is a better team player and that is a definite trait of World Champions. Noones going to be interested in offering you a ride if you blame your team, likewise if you prove that you aren't level headed then thats also a winning trait that you don't have.

I'm sure every one can sense his frustration, but how frustrated do you think Pasini, the 125 bloke is feeling? You see his reaction when he walked into the garage? Those guys are going to bend over backwards to help that guy. Westy, I'm sorry is giving Aussie riders a bad name. You never heard Gardner, Magee, Doohan, Beattie, Corser, Bayliss etc carrying on like that. Even Mat Mladin isnt a fan favourite in the States, but he tells it like it is. Don't forget I'm sure there a plenty of riders in that 250 class who are on worse machinary than West has got this year. Whats the state of the bike that young Thai rider Wilarott is on? He looks to be going OK?

None of the other riders mentioned have had to try for the past 8 years (or therabouts) to get a competitive ride without success so comparing them and Ant's situation isn't entirely fair. I can understand West's frustration and believe he has made some poor career choices but he has also been led up the garden path on a few ride offers that weren't what was promised. His main problem is a complete lack of tact. I didn't have a problem with his statement about leaving 250 next year if he couldn't get a factory bike. My problem was his public criticism of his team. That will get him nowhere. Had he complained about his situation on behalf of himself and his team then things would be different but too often he comes across as selfish. As Jake said, perhaps he is best to wait til a little later before allowing himself to be interviewed if he isn't feeling particularly happy so he can be a little more diplomatic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NinjaMaster

None of the other riders mentioned have had to try for the past 8 years (or therabouts) to get a competitive ride without success so comparing them and Ant's situation isn't entirely fair. I can understand West's frustration and believe he has made some poor career choices but he has also been led up the garden path on a few ride offers that weren't what was promised. His main problem is a complete lack of tact. I didn't have a problem with his statement about leaving 250 next year if he couldn't get a factory bike. My problem was his public criticism of his team. That will get him nowhere. Had he complained about his situation on behalf of himself and his team then things would be different but too often he comes across as selfish. As Jake said, perhaps he is best to wait til a little later before allowing himself to be interviewed if he isn't feeling particularly happy so he can be a little more diplomatic.

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Spot on ;) If West had a ride like Pasini's in the 250s then he'd be happy as larry.. Hes just NEVER gotten one, even though he's more than deserved it.. He got away with an outburst last year, i just hope he gets away with it again.. He has to much talent to go to waste..

edit: I also get the feeling a WSS ride for 08 may be pretty well settled for Ant, hence the outburst..

Being an Aussie (living in China at the moment), I have always barracked for Ant West, but, after the coments he made I have lost a lot of respect for the guy to be honest. I can accept his comments about getting a factory ride, as I believe he has shown so much talent and determination on the track. The comment he made about needing better machanics, could have only brought morale in the team to a low. Now, his comment to the media is all we heard. If he said that on the air, what does he say within the team that we don't get to hear ? I think I am starting to understand why he doesn't have a factory ride. I think Anthony should take a leaf out of Pasini's book, as that was the a great moment in motorcycle racing history IMO, when he hugged his mechanic in the pit garage after what must have been the most frustrating situation, 4 pole positions and only a 10th place to show for it. How unlucky could the guy be ? I think Westy should go to WSS, but, I think he should not expect to get everything he wants NOW. By the way, I didn't hear too much whining from KRJr at Suzuki for all those years riding that total dog box, he just got on with it and kept on trying. Shinya Nakano at Kawasaki didn't whine about the bike, and I bet he won't whine about his current ride on the Minolta Honda ride, he will just keep on giving his best I'm sure. A great champ is not just the fastest rider, he must be a diplomat, a salesman and a good communicator. Sponsors want a rider that goes fast, can promote a good image for their product, and not attract unwanted publicity. If Ant West was on TV promoting a product after those comments he made after the race, I am sure that quite a lot of people would not buy the product, just for the fact that they think Ant West is a total prat. So, Westy, don't go down the Max Biaggi Highway, get it together and show some diplomacy, and look after your mechanics and team, then they will look after you.

Well said John. While it's great to see Ant ride when things are working for him. I don't think he deserves the fanatical support he gets from his fans. He just keeps coming off more and more as a selfish prat. I want to give him the benefit of doubt, but there are soo many other riders just as skilled and just as deserving of better rides.