Analysis: talentless MotoGP?
While there’s been plenty of talk of the lack of teams on the MotoGP grid, it’s probably time to look at just who the contenders are in those teams and whether the championship is suffering from a lack of talent. We’ve talked of the end of the Valentino Rossi era and while it’s not here yet, it’s imminent. In the twilight of his career, one of the greatest champions the world has ever seen, who will he leave behind?
David Emmett writes on MotoMatters about the next one-year contract between Colin Edwards and Yamaha Tech3, saying that it was no surprise that Edwards signed again. Not that this is what’s important, but that looking back on the difficulty of finding a replacement for Valentino Rossi when he was injured, and Edwards and Crutchlow both turning down the opportunity to put themselves in the seat, it seems that if Yamaha Tech3 wanted to keep two bikes on the grid it had to renew with Edwards because pretty much, there was no-one else to take his spot.
The one-year deal indicates it will probably be Edwards’ last season in MotoGP and while hardly a competitor for top spot, he’s proved a fast and consistent rider. As noted by Edwards himself, part of his job next season will probably be to show Crutchlow the ropes. Future contenders for the crown of the championship, though, at this stage are the usual suspects: Casey Stoner, who already has a championship under his belt, Jorge Lorenzo who has had a remarkable season and will be hoping it doesn’t fall apart towards the end, Dani Pedrosa who’s proved Honda is competitive and co.
Who are the new guys coming through though? Good rookie riders like Ben Spies are few and far between and with him and Cal Crutchlow coming across from Superbike, you might well wonder if Moto2 is doing its job as a breeding ground for new MotoGP riders. Given the sport is probably not in the healthiest of financial situations at the moment, it’s also difficult to say how much investment will occur to bring on new riders. Clearly it’s not a disaster at the moment, and some of the riders are certainly promising, Spies especially, but recent events show that the future for young riders in MotoGP is hardly guaranteed.
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Brakefluid
22 Sep 2010 - 10:10 - #1Surely there are plenty of rich Italians and Spaniards desperate for a shot at the premier class. Simon and Iannone are probably gunning for a seat. However, as you say, it depends on whether they can deliver the goods or not. Give a Moto2 a chance, if not, bring the two strokes back!
faster1
22 Sep 2010 - 17:35 - #2,, I think that most will be humbled and surprised when Edwards, once again, competes successfully for “best of the satellite” riders next year. He will find his fast ways again. But he might actually need a new crew though, or some new approach to set-up.
F0ul
22 Sep 2010 - 22:20 - #3I think you are being very unfair!
There are plenty of talented riders in MotoGP - what you are not talking about is the other side of getting a contract - the sponsorship and the politics.
Edwards gets MotoGP coverage in the US. That is something no other rider at the moment can do as well. Spies is his natural replacement, but he needs a little more time to build his rep.
As for Moto2 - that isn’t really the place to look at the moment because its a new series. It takes a while for the real champions to be spotted over the technical expertise of the teams but for instance politics will make sure that Scot Redding will get a MotoGP seat in a few years - not sure if that’s healthy, but that is the reality of world class motor racing.
Other than that - I love this blog - its a must read!!
Hugh dunit
23 Sep 2010 - 01:10 - #4I really think the point here rests with the nature of the bikes development, which is in a direction away from other championship of bikes going around in circles. The result of such developments are so focussed and honed in the incubator of motogp and not experienced elsewhere(or trickling) to other classes or championships, and thus not providing experience that is relative or able to be called upon/adapted.
The main areas are the extreme grip levels of the tyres and thus lean angles and controlling the power at such lean. This has created a different way of riding and a different mind set of going fast. This isn’t bad its just different from the feeding classes or rival championships and therefor takes time to adapt.
Its this extreme time to adapt! that has changed a wild card or replacement ride from the opportunity of a life time, into playing hot potato with a ticking time bomb. This has two problematic points 1) Riders, no one in their right mind or with career prospects would go from fighting for the championship or running at the front, accept a one or two race GP ride. Why… because you will finish at the back while learning that the bike leans further and leaving you looking like a one trick pony or king of kids at the kids dinner table when this really isn’t true. It just takes time and a developmental/analytical mind(s). 2) Sponsors, who would want to fund and invest in a rider to learn for a season, develop for another, crash the next and then come good. Within this economic climate the money and patience just isnt as expendable unless in special circumstances like Spies, Crutchlow and Simonchelli