Has Ben Spies signed a deal with BMW WSBK?

WsBK is where he should be lets face it. Superbike riders just cant do GP that well it seems.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 03:13

if this is true(and i think it probably is) then moto gp needs to do something to save itself because the ammount of nails in its coffin seem to be growing on a weekly basis.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 04:11

I think its a done deal bye bye MotoGP enjoy a slow and painful death WSBK is the place to be.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 09:59

There's no think about it. This is a done deal.

Best of luck Ben.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 10:17

I disagree that WSBK riders can't cut it in GP. This year has been Ben's only bad year so far, otherwise I feel he's done a good job. He did beat Simoncelli to rookie of the year and he was a 250GP champ.

A lot of riders have commented that being in GP is like working in an office, where as WSBK is like one big family. (I can't remember who said this).

With the CRT bikes threatening to take over the prototypes, a ban on carbon brakes, and budget restrictions, really what will be the difference between GP and WSBK? Half the Superbike field are ex-GP riders.

I know which I'd rather do. (Assuming I had the skill and was given the opportunity!)

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 10:57

Sorry

anyone who thinks the racing is better in WSBK simply isnt watching

the level of skill to ride motogp at the front is head and shoulders above WSBK

and the proof is in the pudding...spies with be fighting for wins in WSBK where as he just plain struggles in WSBK

watch stoner push his RCV round a track and show me someone who does that in WSBK ?

and lorenzo is on a different planet to spies

i know the action can be more equal in WSBK but the sheer spectacle of skill in motogp outweighs it every time

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 11:01

oh i totally agree mr evil

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 11:12

I agree Ken that the standard of riding is higher in GP, however the racing is much closer and more competitive (between riders and teams) in WSBK. Melandri and Sykes last week were amazing!

You can't really compare the likes of Stoner and Lorenzo to anyone else. Out of all the riders in the world those guys are the best of the top 1% of racers in the world. It's like trying to compare Hendrix to other guitarists.

The problem for me is that the spectacle of GP is being diluted, and now there isn't much appeal for riders to stay (Stoner being a prime example). For me it's all about WSBK this year. I haven't watched Laguna yet and I'm not that bothered about it as there is no Moto2 or Moto3.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 13:27

I enjoy watching racing more than a couple of uys going really fast with massive gaps between. For me thats not a spectacle its a sad state of dying class.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 13:27

Cal seems to be making a damn good go of it. i think he will make it so long as he gets a capable bike. He could do a lot worse than stay with Tech 3.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 15:53

Cal is getting beat by his team mate, he started off well on a bike he was used to, now Dovizioso is beating him, this is bad news for Cal, people on this board have slated Dovizioso, but he is beat Cal, what does that tell you about Cal.

Look at the winners in WSBK, people who has not won MotoGP, no question the top riders in MotoGP are the best there are, but the races are not interesting, WSBK are, I prefer to watch WSBK, Moto1 & Moto2 any day of the week.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 16:29

doesn't Dovi's bike have some brakes that Cals doesn't? Cal runs with him but loses out on brakes, if he does go by he has gapped Dovi a few times. Both doing really good on satalite bikes.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 16:37

As much as I enjoy watching Stoner sliding out of corners, it's no fun watching a race that is more like a time trial. Moto3, Moto2, and WSBK have provided the most action this year for me.

BraveCat - Apparently Dovi has a factory spec master cylinder. Although I'm not certain how much of a difference this would make, Dovi has always been good on the brakes.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 16:58

I think the sentiment is pretty clear from all the posts. Racing isn't that exciting without any real battles. Riders are getting frustrated. Fans are hemorrhaging. I have even seen a couple of statements from journalists stating the GP is now boring! You like watching one guy ride his motorcycle around? Maybe you should ask him on a date.

Posted: 03/08/2012 at 17:20

Personally, I like different forms of racing for different reasons. MotoGP and F1 can show you what the the few really top talents can do with the pinnacle of wheeled technology. Moto3 demonstrates what a herd of young bucks will do to prepare themselves to be first to the doe as their antlers are only just beginning to sprout. WSB puts riders of very nearly the top talent in the world on machinery which is relatively closely matched in performance yet varied in layout and even somewhat accessible. The 24 hour races add an entirely new set of factors to the equation involving technology, strategy, consistency, reliability, and luck.

For me it's not so much which is "better," but which matches my viewing mood and interest at the moment. I'd not be happy having to do totally without any of them.

Posted: 08/08/2012 at 01:27

I think its partly the expectation of the fans. If Ben Spies didnt come over as AMA and rookie WSB champ with all the hype he would be looking pretty good, other then this season. We just expect them since they won on completely different bikes to get to MotoGP and automatically win.

Of course Moto3 and Moto2 riders are going to perform better initially. They have been riding the tracks for years, know the teams, and are just better prepared for the MotoGp way.

A rider moves over from WSB and we give them 2-3 years and write them off.

With that said MotoGP has become excruciatingly boring. Its not even as if its a good battle between the 2-3 "top dogs" most of the time. Its usually a fairly decisive chase for most of the race with one of the top riders pulling away pretty cleanly in the last few laps with not a whole lot of battling in between. Its like watching a qualifying session. Its not a good sign when the "battle for 6th" is one of the main hightlights of a broadcast. Not to mention that over half the field that is currently on the grid is soley out there to fill it.

Me personally, Id rather watch 125cc bikes putting around a track with racers battling it out then watch someone... the same someones....every week...pull clean laps.

I hope its true, Americans could use someone to root for in WSB. I personally have lost interest in MotoGP regardless of whos racing in it.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 08:03

MotoGP is currently in the lowest level in the last couple of years? Have a bunch of private teams who are used to fill the grid, only a few competitors for the title! Think that WSBK even, and the same right and interesting.Driwers coming from WSBK hard to win the MotoGP title.

Posted: 27/08/2012 at 07:40