First the real news and then we’ll move on to the unreal.
Hector Barbera (above) has been ruled out of the next 3 Grands Prix after breaking two bones in his leg in a “training” accident. Quite what sort of training he was doing riding a 100cc trail bike is anyone’s guess, but it’s going to cost him dearly as he will miss Laguna Seca, Indianapolis and Brno. In his place, PRAMAC have drafted in former rider Tony Elias, sacked from the Apsar team during the week for poor performances.
In WSBK, Sylvain Guintoli has been sacked from the Liberty team after his mechanics walked out over non-payment. Te team promptly issued a Press Release saying that Guintoli had been sacked for poor performance also, but, given that he has been by far the best rider in the 4-bike squad, that explanation doesn’t hold water at all. Guintoli has issued a rebuttal but the damage has already been done. Guintoli has since signed with the PATA team (also fielding Ducatis) so he will still be seen at the top level.
Now for the silly news.
1. Valentino Rossi to Yamaha next year, funded by Marlboro (Ducati’s long-time sponsor) and replacing Ben Spies who will be shown the door. Spies has added to the speculation with a vague and silly tweet on his Twitter site that could mean just about anything.
2. Hayden out at Ducati next year with the team starting with a brand new roster of Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Iannone. The suggestion of the British rider’s name has provoked a fascinating and quite ludicrous outburst from former 500cc world champion, Kevin Schwantz. Schwantz, proving what I have always said that ex-riders should keep their helmets on and visors down and not comment on what’s happening in the sport now, fulminated that Crutchlow shouldn’t even be considered given that he hasn’t even stood on the podium yet. It seems to have totally escaped KS34’s notice that Crutchlow is ahead of Hayden in the points score and should comfortably beat him in the overall standings by the end of the season. 🙂
3. Andrea Dovizioso is stirring the pot also, suggesting in an Italian interview that he is best placed to replace Spies at “works” Yamaha, but, if that doesn’t happen, he has “other options” Quite what they are, he didn’t elaborate.
Marco Melandri’s “double” on the weekend illustrates again what a yawning difference there is in talent levels between the best WSBK riders and MotoGp pilots. Is it any wonder that WSBK is seen by most as the place where over-the-hill MotoGp riders go when they have served their time in the top echelon. It also points out again that the UPWARD path is a nonsense with even the best WSBK riders failing to cut it at the highest level (leaving out “one-off” performances like TB21’s farewell ride a couple of years ago)
On a more prosaic note, I have delivered my Rod Tingate carbon muffler to the excellent Chris Dowde of the business of the same name and expect to be able to fit it to the VFR in the next coupe of weeks. A few kilos saved and a much nicer note is what I am expecting.
gearsau says
Phil,
Well said.
Nicky Hayden dserves the boot. He has done nothing in MotoGP. He may be an ex World Champion, but, he isnt a Champion to me.
3 wins in 10 years ? 2 wins in the year he won the championship…Thats not a champion in my line of thinking.
Spies has achieved nothing as well in MotoGP..1 win in 2.5 seasons …Doesnt deserve a ride..
Phil Hall says
Harsh, but the stats don’t lie. My comments this morning add some more to the argument.