Is it Spies or the bike?

[Ohmygewd]

Wonder if Nori is regretting his move to Ducati now? The Duke doesn't seem to be top all round package any more as the Yamaha gets off the corners equally as well and the Aprilia is faster in a straight line and looks really strong on the brakes.

He probably is but when you get the offer of riding the most successful bike and team in WSBK history, it's probably something you wouldn't say no to?

Anyway, with all this talk that Haga is struggling, he has 82 pts at this stage of the year whilst Bayliss had 85pts at the same time last year..what does that tell me? If Haga has one consistent year where he is in the points rather than crashing, then it's his too loose.

Ben and the bike are at a perfect harmony atm, thats the reason why he will figure will challenge so long as he is consistent and keeps nipping at Haga's heels.

[Powerful Pierre]

On the world level, yes. Riders of the same caliber makes for better racing. There are guys far more deserving of a ride in WSBK then a guy that has only won three races. I think everyone is liking the racing this year. It is (so far) much closer then it has been. Granted WSBK has been better then MotoGP for a few years but it is closer right now and exciting.

I have not said anyone has made a comment about Spies not being a high caliber racer. I do find it hard to believe that some want to give so much credit to the bike. Let me tell you, there is more than one bike on that grid that is capable of being a championship winning bike. You need a rider that is capable of extracting that from the bike. Before the season started many thought Haga was almost guaranteed the championship with the switch to Ducati.

Crazy Horse, you strike me as a guy who likes to argue just for the sake of it!

The Yamaha team chose Sykes as their second rider, I assume because they can see the potential in him.....why you want to put the guy down when you clearly know nothing about him is a mystery......nobody here is dissing Spies, quite the contrary, and the purpose of this thread was to stimulate discussion/debate, that's all.

Sykes may or may not realise his potential at this level, but at least he's been given the chance rather than some burnt out ex-champ....its healthy for the sport in my book that young, relatively inexperienced riders are given the chance, irrespective of their nationality.

He is clearly the 2nd rider in the team, over the 2 meetings he has already shown a substancial improvement, and he's probably contributing to Spies wages just for the privilege of being there ie he may well have had to pay for the ride! Give the guy a break will ya!

[Ohmygewd]

And the likes of Sykes, Haslam, Byrne, Hill and Rea are all important for the marketing side of this series as Pommyland is a massive market for the manufacturers.

I'm a massive fan of Tommy Hill who, if healthy, IMO is on par with the talent that Rea possess.

Then again, l'm a convict so go Brendan Roberts

[Crazy Horse]

Crazy Horse, you strike me as a guy who likes to argue just for the sake of it!

The Yamaha team chose Sykes as their second rider, I assume because they can see the potential in him.....why you want to put the guy down when you clearly know nothing about him is a mystery......nobody here is dissing Spies, quite the contrary, and the purpose of this thread was to stimulate discussion/debate, that's all.

Sykes may or may not realise his potential at this level, but at least he's been given the chance rather than some burnt out ex-champ....its healthy for the sport in my book that young, relatively inexperienced riders are given the chance, irrespective of their nationality.

He is clearly the 2nd rider in the team, over the 2 meetings he has already shown a substancial improvement, and he's probably contributing to Spies wages just for the privilege of being there ie he may well have had to pay for the ride! Give the guy a break will ya!

Well thank you for feeling the need to set me straight on how things are.

How am I putting Sykes down? I said he is not the same caliber racer that Spies is and there are other guys that are more deserving of his ride. I firmly believe on the world level the highest quality racers should be competing against each other, sorry if you do not feel this way.

[Powerful Pierre]

Well thank you for feeling the need to set me straight on how things are.

How am I putting Sykes down? I said he is not the same caliber racer that Spies is and there are other guys that are more deserving of his ride. I firmly believe on the world level the highest quality racers should be competing against each other, sorry if you do not feel this way.

Maybe the Yamaha team think differently??

Anyway, this is

Lets agree to differ........

[Bill in OKC]

Its gotta be the shoes

[FNG]

I have to go with Spies over the bike....I'm also getting sick of hearing about Sykes in the same sentences (with Ben). Let's see some results first.

[azboy]

Well thank you for feeling the need to set me straight on how things are.

How am I putting Sykes down? I said he is not the same caliber racer that Spies is and there are other guys that are more deserving of his ride. I firmly believe on the world level the highest quality racers should be competing against each other, sorry if you do not feel this way.

I just like the teasing of the guys from the UK! Don't worry my fine UK friends, James Toseland will be back in WSBK shortly......good on ya Crazy Horse!

[FORREALQUICK]

It is Spies. He can ride anything anywhere.

[Powerful Pierre]

I just like the teasing of the guys from the UK! Don't worry my fine UK friends, James Toseland will be back in WSBK shortly......good on ya Crazy Horse!

If you want to start a piss taking, wind-up war with Brits you're going to lose sunshine, believe me!!

Now that's one thing we are good at.....

But I've been trying to keep this 'discussion' lively but friendly rather than prodding the old bear with a stick.....

On you go.........

[RobC]

anyway, what's this about Spies being a Texan? I thought I heard he was from Tennessee, but the media keep describing him as Texan.

[azboy]

If you want to start a piss taking, wind-up war with Brits you're going to lose sunshine, believe me!!

Now that's one thing we are good at.....

But I've been trying to keep this 'discussion' lively but friendly rather than prodding the old bear with a stick.....

On you go.........

Something just bit me on the ankle........

[R1Frank]

It's Spies. The best bike helps, but it doesn't assure anything. Anyone who doubts this should go out and buy themself the best new 600 on the market, modify it any way you want, then sign up and win a CCS or WERA race with it. Anyone who has done any racing, even on an amateur level knows that the bullshit ends when the green flag drops.

[CBar]

anyway, what's this about Spies being a Texan? I thought I heard he was from Tennessee, but the media keep describing him as Texan.

Longview Texas.

[Powerful Pierre]

Something just bit me on the ankle........

Nasty, I should get that looked at........maybe stay out of the long grass...