MotoGP 2013

[cmoore]

it is sad that Schwantz isn't there...I don't know what the history is but i can guess it won't make sense....

[tail_end_charlie]

it is sad that Schwantz isn't there...I don't know what the history is but i can guess it won't make sense....

A new development on that particular subject.

Edit:
Motomatters have a little more in depth look and a few links to interviews with Kevin Schwantz that I've also included here:

Cycle World

Cycle News

[tail_end_charlie]

agree...does beg the question..how did smith get the monster ride??......

Maybe he got Herve drunk during that original contract negotiation.............

Too true!

And is Smith the biggest waste of space in Moto GP or what?

A lot of people (Soup, DE, and others I can't remember right now) seem to be saying that Smith is on track with Bradle in his rookie year. He has qualified ahead of Iannone in both races so far this year. Have to see where he actually finishes this race though.....

[cmoore]

it all sounds a bit stupid...he wants money, so at the end of the day it is all about how much...regardless they are dumb not to allow him at the track

[Crasherfromwayback]

A lot of people (Soup, DE, and others I can't remember right now) seem to be saying that Smith is on track with Bradle in his rookie year. He has qualified ahead of Iannone in both races so far this year.

Maybe so. But which bike would you rather be riding?

[tail_end_charlie]

Maybe so. But which bike would you rather be riding?

That, sir, is a very good counter argument.

Personally however, I will give Smith the benefit of the doubt until about mid-season. If he isn't hot on the heels of the other satellite bikes at that point, then I'll start slinging shit. Not much good it'll do though, he's got a contract through 2014.

[cmoore]

a quick read of the post 80's legends in motogp shows that no one has been a champion by "working their way up from 13th" the best have arrived at the top and been there or there abouts all year....Marky Mark being the latest to continue that theory...

[cmoore]

All of which doesn't have anything to do with Smith...but whilst i am sure he is dissapointed with himself...he is not near crutchlow....he is not a future partner for Jorge....so why have him there now?...what has he done??

[tail_end_charlie]

The Qualifying press conference photo's with Scott Redding are freakin' hilarious. The top of Dani's head is about even with Scott's shoulder, and the others arn't much taller.

Seeing just how much bigger Scott is than the others gives you an impression of how hard is must be for him fighting all these midgets on a prototype Supersport bike.

[Crasherfromwayback]

All of which doesn't have anything to do with Smith...but whilst i am sure he is dissapointed with himself...he is not near crutchlow....he is not a future partner for Jorge....so why have him there now?...what has he done??

Just answered all of your own questions!

[cmoore]

true...sort of typing aloud.......

nice to know there at least two Kiwis involved with MotoGP...one on the right side the other on the dark side...

[Mental Trousers]

Too true!

And is Smith the biggest waste of space in Moto GP or what?

A lot of people (Soup, DE, and others I can't remember right now) seem to be saying that Smith is on track with Bradle in his rookie year. He has qualified ahead of Iannone in both races so far this year. Have to see where he actually finishes this race though.....

He's actually impressing quite a few people that know a thing or two (ie they don't post in forums). I'm not a fan but I'm definitely going to wait and see what he does before I write him off.

However, it sounds like there might be two satellite Honda's up for grabs at the end of this season. Bautista has to win at least one and Bradl has to get some podiums and front row starts or they'll both be unemployed.

[Crasherfromwayback]

He's actually impressing quite a few people that know a thing or two (ie they don't post in forums). .

Oh you old bitch!

Make your predictions for the race!

[Mental Trousers]

Oh you old bitch!

Make your predictions for the race!

Pedro
Lorenzo
Rossi
Crutchlow

Marquez upside down somewhere between turn 12 and turn 18

[slowpoke]

All of which doesn't have anything to do with Smith...but whilst i am sure he is dissapointed with himself...he is not near crutchlow....he is not a future partner for Jorge....so why have him there now?...what has he done??

Mate, you picked the wrong guy to compare him too. What did Crutchlow do to deserve a MotoGP ride? 5th in WSBK was nothing to write home about, especially seeing he was on the same bike that Spies was in a different league on, at tracks he'd never seen. Crutchlow had ridden all of them in WSS. I didn't think that was anywhere near good enough for a MotoGP ride.

Crutchlow was 12th in his first MotoGP year, again very lucky to stay in MotoGP. His first MotoGP race at Losail he qualified in 8th and finished some 34 seconds behind Stoner, in 11th.

It's only last year that he's showed the sort of form that justifies his position, so to criticise Smith at this stage is pretty unfair. I'm not saying he's going to do great things, but he's certainly no worse than Crutchlow in his first year, and he's come from a 140hp Moto2 bike not a 220hp Superbike.