With the second US Grand Prix coming up this weekend, the American web sites and magazines are busy talking up the chances of there being an American victory at “The Brickyard”.
I can tell them what chance there is. NONE. Zip, nada, nil. Despite the fact the American riders only seem to ever ride really well at “home” even this will not be enough to get any of them on the top step of the podium. Let’s look at the form.
1. Spies. Despite the Yanks wetting their pants over him being in the factory team this year, his performances this year haven’t really warranted it. He has qualified well on occasions (on the front row last time out) but then has drifted quickly back into the pack where he has remained mired until mid-race distance where he seems to get a burst of energy and he starts fighting again. By this time the leaders are long gone and we are left with the standard American media-speak, “Ben did well to finish where he did while learning this new track/Ben had rear grip issues/Ben had a problem with his helmet visor/yada, yada, yada…” Expect the status quo to be continued this weekend.
2. Hayden. My thoughts on Hayden are well documented. He lucked his way into the title in 2006 and has done nothing since to indicate that he is deserving of a “works” ride. 3 wins in 150 MotoGP starts shows just how poor a candidate he is. He will have moments of brilliance this weekend before settling back into 5th or 6th place. Anything higher than that will be as a result of attrition in front, not forceful gaining of placings. Hayden is, of course, condemned to yet more oblivion with Rossi signing for the team next year.
3. Edwards. CE is drawing wages on false pretences and has been doing so for a number of years. Will place at the bottom end of the top ten. Colin should retire and allow a younger, hungrier rider to have his spot.
As far as the Moto2 contingent is concerned, Kenny Noyes should do well, having had patches of racing at the front this season. RLH, despite the might of American Honda behind him, won’t trouble the scorers.
Superbikeplanet this morning is beating up the Spies/Lorenzo combination next year, pretending that the frosty relationship that exists between Rossi and Lorenzo will be replaced by a more friendly, co-operative one when Spies joins the team. Again, they are living in la-la land. “The Wall” will stay up and Lorenzo will treat the new boy with all the contempt he can, as he is entitled to do. He will be World Champion, on a vastly increased salary and should feel no obligation at all to help his team mate get a foothold in the class and possibly threaten his hegemony. Don’t expect peace to break out in the Yamaha garage any time soon.
Apologies if my post seems a bit negative this morning. I try to avoid this sort of tone, but I am wearying a little of media-speak and being told that I should believe something just because someone important says it when the evidence in front of me points to exactly the opposite conclusion. Feel free to disagree, and to say so if you wish.
In news away from Indianapolis, gpone.com is reporting this morning that Marco Melandri is 99% certain of being at BMW WSBK next season in the place of Rueben Xaus. Should this happen, it would relieve Honda of the need to find funding for a third bike in their MotoGP team. Dovizioso would head off to Gresini with “factory” support, leaving Stoner and Pedrobot in Repsol colours.
