[rsheidler]

Re: AND 2003 TESTING BEGINS...

Per Roadracing world's post, Barros was riding Biaggi's old bike and Biaggi was riding Barros'

Interesting that Barros is already down to his last weekend qualifying time on the RCV, while Biaggi is 3/10s slower than Alex.

This suggests that the M1 must be at least the equal of the RCV and also that Barros is one hell of an adaptable rider -- look at how quick he got up to speed on the RCV, and now the M1. Possibly the best rider in the world at this moment?

 

[rsheidler]

Unfortunately we will have to wait all winter to find out for sure!

Yeah, that really sucks!

 

[rsheidler]

Re: best rider in the world?

I agree that testing times should be taken somewhat with a grain of salt -- my real point was the same one you made -- that Barros was able to adapt to the RCV and win the first time out, and now appears to have gotten up to speed on the M1 very quickly.

When Yamaha let Colin slip away a few weeks back, I thought they were crazy, but now I see their reasoning.

Damn, I can't wait for next season!

 

[rsheidler]

Re: best rider in the world?

>>Barros has always been an acomplished 4 stroke rider<<

I am curious where he got that 4-stroke experience -- his race bio (at least the ones I found on-line) show him coming up from mopeds to 50s to 80s to 250 to 500gp. Perhaps he trains on a 4-stroke (as I understand Checa has done in the past)?

I can't dispute your characterization of Alex's career to date, and I agree that it is too soon to proclaim him as best in the world (I feel that Rossi most deserves that description). However, looking only at the the late season, after the swithch to 4-strokes, I would say that he has been every bit the equal of Rossi, and clearly better than Biaggi.

Of all the riders who switched to 4-strokes late in the season, only Barros and Kato were able to quickly become competitive -- the others were pretty unimpressive. For that matter, Biaggi was not all that impressive on the M1 early in the season -- and that is not all due to the Bike not being competitive, as Checa was often better. This may simply be that Barros and Kato are quicker at adapting to new bikes, rather than necessarily being better overall. For that, we must wait and see.

I'll stick my neck out and predict that Barros finishes ahead of Biaggi in the 2003 world championship -- not ready to say he will beat Rossi.

So when does the new season start?