[rsheidler]

For most of last season, and particulary since he got the 4-stroke, Alex has just been in the best form of his career. I have always liked him but he somehow never seemed to have what it takes to move into the very top ranks. Of course, he also has been on less than first rate equipment much of this time.



Still, equipment can't explain how he was so impressive on the 2-stroke in 2002. It seems that maybe he realized that he is getting late in his professional career, and it he ever wants to get a shot at the top rankings, it was time to show what he was capable of.



The think that I have been really inpressed with is how quickly he got up to speed on the M1 -- I think on the first day, still using Max's setup, he was, I believe, quicker than he was on the RCV. He has only gotten quicker with time, and has almost always been the fastest each day at each test venue. Reportedly, he has been consistantly fast over race distances -- not just the occassional fast time.



In interviews, he has stated that the M1 handles and brakes better than the RCV, but might be a little down on power. Given his reputation as king of the late brakers, if true, look at him to make Honda look pretty effin stupid for letting him get away.



The other thing I think he as going for him is that he may be the best one our there at tire management (Rossi is also damn good) and/or at still riding very well even after the tires are crap. This is why I think some of the other fast guys (eg Biaggi, Capirossi, etc) who are also very fast in testing and qualifying, will find it more difficult to get to the top of the podium.



Note that I have become more impressed with Checa recently. He has been testing at times very close to Alex. If he can keep his concentration, he could be a contender this year as well.



If anyone has a shot at unseating Rossi in 2003, I think it will be Barros.



Just my $0.02 worth.



Bob

 

[rsheidler]

I think you are right on track. I can't believe that Honda let both Edwards and Barros get away, so they could pick up who? Sete? Nicky? Tomada? I am not knocking these guys (I think Nicky will eventually be very good, but a year in World Superbike, where he could ride familiar machinery while he learned to read the foreign menus, would have been a better way to spend 2003, IMHO), but I just can't believe they chose any of em over Colin and Alex.



I have the feeling that both Colin and Alex will be doing their damnedest to make Honda sorry.



Bob

 

[rsheidler]

>>Biaggi got off the Yamaha for a reason<<



Biaggi got off the Yamaha because Yamaha declined to renew his contract. He was in discussions with Ducati, but they chose Capirossi over him (reportedly because Biaggi has a reputation of being difficult to work with).



At Valencia immediately after the end of the season, Barros on last year's M1 was as fast as Rossi on last year's RCV. Both the M1 and RCV will be faster in 2003, though.



Rossi on the RCV is still the safest bet, but if anybody can take him down in 2003, I think it is Barros.



Rossi seems to be able to mess with Biaggi's head, but he doesn't seem to be able to do so to Barros. If anything, the reverse. After one race last year, Rossi was quoted as saying "every time I fight with Alex, he f#cks me!" From interviews I have seen, it appears that the riders Rossi fears and respects the most are Capirossi and Barros. With good reason, IMHO.



Cheers

Bob

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Psychological weakness

I think Biaggi will be lucky to be #3 among Honda riders at the end of the season. If he doesn't start off well and falls into his pattern of blaming his equipment (he doesn't automatically get the latest factory stuff -- if he proves himself, he may later in the season), I see one or both of of the Japanese riders (who do get full factory support) outperforming him. Kato has gotten in quite a bit of wet practice in the off season, which addresses his main weakness. He certainly has the potential to be right up there, plus he weigh about 50lbs less than Max (I don't know just what he does weigh, but he is a little squirt).

I am willing to make a small wager that Barros outpoints Biaggi in 2003.

Bob

 

[rsheidler]

How About Colin Edwards

Colin Edwards may still have to prove to the doubters that he really belongs in MotoGP, but he certainly has proven himself in Superbike, as we all know.

He apparently has proven himself a champ in another area, or at least if any other riders have beaten him, they are not stepping up to claim the title.

This from his web site (www.ceracing.com) on the reader forum:

First someone had posted a reference to an interview that Colin and his wife Aly had given for Motorcycle Racer magazine. In it, two of the questions were, "What are your best points?" and "what are your worst points?" To which the answer was, "I'm persistent, hard working, blah blah blah" and the second answer was "I've got a temper.......and I'm a three pump chump".

In response Colin posted the following:

Author: Colin Edwards II (---.txucom.net)

Date: 02-10-03 09:38

OK, OK

I've got another funny story. As you could imagine through the course of a relationship you do some weird things. This is one of them. Aly and I were just about to get down to business one night in the motorhome when I had a thought. I'm fast on the race track, but how fast am I in the bedroom. So I pull my trusty stopwatch out to have a go. "beep"-----------------37 seconds later-----BOOM!!!!! So until you guys can beat 37 seconds I'm still the champ. So there you are, a night in bed with the Edwards. LOL

Colin

Someone else pointed out that, fortunately for Aly, WSB runs a two race format!

So, until Val, Max, ALex etc can step up with something faster than 37 seconds, Colin is still the champ!

Cheers

Bob

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Psychological weakness

How about $50? I am not really a betting man, but about if the loser pays to a charity of the winner's choice?

If you are serious, contact me at [email protected].

Cheers

Bob

 

[rsheidler]

I have a great deal of respect for Sito, but I believe that Alex had ridden for him for at least a couple of years, with relatively unspectacular results.



Sito seems to be a class act -- he lost both his riders to rival teams (and rival marques) but was a real gentleman in publically wishing them well, and smoothing over contractual issues to let them test for their new teams while still under contract to him.



Max had better hope that Sito is the one responsible!



Cheers

Bob