MotoGP 2015

[pritch]

Seriously? Come on mate...

Seriously. Smith is fifth in the championship behind only Rossi, Lorenzo, Marquez and Iannone. That means there are six factory bikes behind him, OK four of those are Suzuki and Aprilia, but the other two are Dovizioso and Pedrosa. He is the highest placed satellite bike. At season's end the Championship result will just list the names in order, it won't mention arm pump or whatever.

Yamaha apparently considered Smith's team mate Espagero a potential Marquez beater based on their history in Moto2, but Smith is consistently beating Espagero.

I don't think Mamola, Crafar, McCoy etc are relevant - different era. The Stoner comparison is more appropriate and he was hardly a stellar performer on his satellite Honda as I recall, finishing eighth in 2006. So Smith is doing better than Stoner against arguably stronger opposition. For Smith to get on the podium some of the factory riders will have to have had misadventures and/or excursions which is likely what happened most times other satellite riders have placed that high.

There is an impression that some people let Smiths baby face and funny accent colour their opinion of his ablilities. I don't know if he's a potential world champion but Smith is doing everything that could reasonably be expected of him at this stage. Here's hoping Yamaha realise that, even if some of us may not.

Peace.

[roogazza]

Exactly. Dorna are well aware that attendances are up when there's a rider from the nation that's hosting a race. They need to keep a couple of Brits involved to keep the British public involved and keep the money flowing.

The biggest problem they have at the moment is the total lack of any Americans coming through. The previous promoter for AMA should be shot for pretty much destroying that series. But it's great to see MotoAmerica getting in there and returning the series to a world class competition.

I've never been a fan of Indy as a Motogp venue.
60,000 attendance is not what Dorna want to see and I'm not surprised this is maybe the last ????/ is it ?
My brotherinlaw goes to see the Nascar (he's a Hillybilly). He said they get 200,000 in the stands for that.

[Mental Trousers]

I've never been a fan of Indy as a Motogp venue.

It's not the greatest that's for sure, but it's way better than it was. Indianapolis is a motor racing city and they're an unusually well informed audience so it's a great place to take the MotoGP show, even if the track isn't the greatest.

60,000 attendance is not what Dorna want to see and I'm not surprised this is maybe the last ????/ is it ?
My brotherinlaw goes to see the Nascar (he's a Hillybilly). He said they get 200,000 in the stands for that.

That's what they're up against in America, the lowest common denominator. There's only Nicky Hayden left in the series and he's well past it now (don't get me wrong I love the guy and he's one of my favourite racers ever but he's nowhere near the front anymore).

Americans aren't interested in something they aren't the best at, it's that simple.

[James Deuce]

I'll bet you 5 internet reputation points he stacks it.

May I have my points please?

[McWild]

May I have my points please?

I'll just get started on my words...

[pritch]

Both are available here: http://www.bikeme.tv/

[george formby]

I've never been a fan of Indy as a Motogp venue.
60,000 attendance is not what Dorna want to see and I'm not surprised this is maybe the last ????/ is it ?
My brotherinlaw goes to see the Nascar (he's a Hillybilly). He said they get 200,000 in the stands for that.

Pretty sure I heard mentioned in the commentary that the stands on the banking do not have a view of the bike circuit.
Still, looked pretty empty compared to a Euro round.

[steveyb]

I can't see Suzuki being very happy with the TV producers this past weekend.
I didn't watch all of the sessions, only most (LOL) but I only recall seeing Mav a couple of times and Aleix almost none at all.

[Mental Trousers]

Pretty sure I heard mentioned in the commentary that the stands on the banking do not have a view of the bike circuit.
Still, looked pretty empty compared to a Euro round.

The place is enormous. There's seating for 250,000+ and it can go out to 400,000 if needed. I'm not surprised it looked empty with 67,000.

[James Deuce]

I'm not surprised it looked empty with 67,000.

Which is 66,700 more than you'll see at any bike meeting in NZ except Paeroa and Whanganui. Pretty darn good attendance for the second US race if you ask me.

[Mental Trousers]

I can't see Suzuki being very happy with the TV producers this past weekend.
I didn't watch all of the sessions, only most (LOL) but I only recall seeing Mav a couple of times and Aleix almost none at all.

We caught a brief glimpse of Vinales during qualifying and I pointed out the paint job to the wife, then I don't remember seeing it on screen again. I guess the tv producers like the gay blue instead of the retro commemorative paintjob.

[GD66]

The Stoner comparison is more appropriate and he was hardly a stellar performer on his satellite Honda as I recall, finishing eighth in 2006. So Smith is doing better than Stoner against arguably stronger opposition.

Don't wish to derail a civilised discussion, but Stoner in his first MotoGP season had a close second place which could have been a win, and three fourth place finishes on a satellite bike with B grade-spec tyres, and his frequent crashes were largely a result of him refusing to accept that he couldn't be on the pace despite the limitations of his equipment. Hardly stellar doesn't cover it, really

[James Deuce]

Yes, but, we are arguing about a guy who has largely spanked his team mate all year but hasn't been re-signed. It's a bit mystifying, but stranger things have happened.

I, personally, struggle with the level of support Pedrosa gets from Honda.

[GD66]

After his results to mid-season and the 8 Hour win, you would have thought Smith had done enough. The ensuing radio silence from the factory, and the news of Pol's signing, are normally not good signs. But Poncharal is no drama queen, and he has backed Smith before when others have bagged him, so we shall see. I found it surprising to see Smith running in fourth in Texas, and he has put in a good season so far. Worth another go.

[merv]

Don't wish to derail a civilised discussion, but Stoner in his first MotoGP season had a close second place which could have been a win, and three fourth place finishes on a satellite bike with B grade-spec tyres, and his frequent crashes were largely a result of him refusing to accept that he couldn't be on the pace despite the limitations of his equipment. Hardly stellar doesn't cover it, really

... and one year later Stoner became the 2007 champion. How many years has Smith been trying now? That's right he is in his third year of MotoGP already.