Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “Well, without a doubt. In some things, without a doubt. I am convinced that the bikes a few years ago were more spectacular and much more difficult to set up and to ride. The latest technology makes everything evolve, but at the same time everything is easier. Therefore I think that it does ruin the spectacle a little.”
Alex Crivillé: “Yes a little. If you refer to traction control, I think that in this aspect we have advanced with the technology, but we have taken a small step backwards concerning the spectacle. Perhaps it is here where they will have to make a move backwards a little bit.”
Emilio Alzamora: “I think that depends on where we look from. Because it is clear that on the one side, all this electronics and technology makes the riding more equal, and with the change in displacement the makes are also more equal. On the one hand this is good because there are more bikes setting the same type of times and more riders in with a chance of winning the championship. But it is also true that the riding skill is less and less important. The rider is always what counts on a motorbike, but there are many aids available now, above all for the traction, with all this new technology.”
Sito Pons: “I do not think so. I think that the races are just as spectacular as they were before. Perthaps they have lost a little of the emotion regarding the slides we saw before. But basically the races, if we compare them to any other motorsport, motorbike races are more spectacular, entertaining and exciting than anything else in the motoring world.”
¿800cc, 990cc or 500cc? Why?
Ángel Nieto: “I think that the actual 800cc is great, because it is not the 990cc we saw in the last few years. It seems to be a very good size. It is amazing to watch these bikes, both the Ducati as well as the Honda. I have the sensation that the technical side has its evolution and has to be there, just like riders evolve.
Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “I think that it is not a problem of displacement. I think that it is a problem of technology. The evolution from last year to this year is incredible with the 800cc. They are really fast. I do not think that it is a problem of size but one of rules, concerning traction control and other similar things, and not the displacement.”
Alex Crivillé: “For me the 800cc category is the right one, but as I said before I think that traction control should be eliminated. This bike can be great fun I think.”
Emili Alzamora: “At the moment in all the categoríes there is a good spectacle. At the level of the final spectacle, I think that 800cc is what is making the championship more equal, which in the end is what the public wants. That there are more riders fighting for the lead and for it to be more equal.”
Sito Pons: “I think that this depends a little on the era and how the technology is developing and evolving. In its time the two stroke 500cc bikes were the most advanced bikes technologically speaking; then came the 990cc and the four strokes. Now what is happening is that four stroke engines with a smaller displacement are being used, without forgetting that all these technological advances are being mounted on standard street bikes.”
Do you think that this year is going to be a turning point for the new generation in MotoGP?
Ángel Nieto: “I think that the new generation is here. We have riders like Dani Pedrosa, 21, Stoner also 21... There are very young riders on the way, and it seems that Valentino is now very old, but he is only 28. Moreover, Valentino is a rider who has not really been affected by injuries very much, he in that sense is not running on borrowed time. So when we speak of a new generation it seems that he is not part of it because he is four or five years older. The generational change has been here for some time.”
Jorge Martínez “Aspar”: “Without a doubt because it started last year and I think it is getting the final touch this year. It is logical and natural. This is life. That is why the new generations are arriving.”
Alex Crivillé: “It is likely, but it is still not clear to me whether riders like Capirossi and Barros are going to continue. I think so, they want to carry on and they are the old generation. Perhaps next year is too soon, but riders like Lorenzo will arrive, and we already have Pedrosa. All these are the new generation, where at the moment the king is Stoner. Rossi is also there, although it is not clear whether he is still at the top of his form or he is losing a little of his edge. We will see.”
Emilio Alzamora: “In my opinion Rossi is a tough man to beat, so I think that it is not. I think that Valentino Rossi, if he has no problems will win the championship. What is in fact true is that there is a change of generation in the displacement, with young talented riders moving into it, like Pedrosa, Stoner and others who will arrive. There is a new generation, but what happens is that if things turn out like they have to I still think that Rossi is still one step ahead of the rest. Although Stoner has things in his favour, he has a guaranteed chance of winning.”
Sito Pons: “I think that the change of generation in MotoGP started last year, in 2006 and what is happening this year is that this new generation is establishing itself, and this will be even more noticeable in 2008 with the arrival of more youngsters. That will be the definitive moment, which on the other hand is what happens in real life.”
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Originally Posted by k14
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