JT News...

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Originally Posted by weazelz

are tech3-yam going to be on Dunlops again next year? I bet James Ellison is having a wry chuckle at the moment

I dont know, it says something in one of those articles about being promised similar spec tyres to Rossi, so maybe, maybe not...

Originally Posted by plowsie

I'm sorry but even though i am a big JT fan he will do a Hodgson i fear in GP. He is a good rider and very fit(exercise wise) to cut it but not enough to win races. I like him in WSB TBH.

I don't see that..

I too am a big JT fan, and he has said that he needs something else other than WSB. Lets face it, as good as Foggy was, he never mixed at the "premier" class, and JT is looking for something else.

The Texh 3 team is going to be fully factory backed next year, and I think he'll win races & get on the podium. Enough maybe for another serious team to take him on.

Honda have blown it again, just like they did with Vermulen. You have a World class rider looking for a GP ride and try to fob them off because politically you don't fit this year. So he's found another ride.

HRC need to get their act together, do they want to keep everybody happy, or win races. Nakano is a good example, Jap bike, Jap sponsor, so they "have" to have a Jap rider; but he's not good enough, Tony Elias isn't much better either, and with Melandri off to Italy, they now have 4 satellite bikes with only one rider.

Go for it JT, show them that the UK can produce good GP riders. Last British GP champ was Barry Sheen, back in '85 I think...

PS: JT is an intelligent guy and doesn't jump at the first opportunity. I would have thought that he would have made sure that he gets not just a competitive machine, but competitive tyres and support too, otherwise he wouldn't have signed.

Originally Posted by weazelz

are tech3-yam going to be on Dunlops again next year? I bet James Ellison is having a wry chuckle at the moment

I was just thinking that.

Its not what i want just what i think i reckon there is a slight chance he could cut it, on the other hand you look at bayliss, went to GP's after Edwards won the title, didnt do too well went back to supers, then as a one off end of last season, battered the whole pack in the Valencia GP. Like you say Jelster he is Factory backed it may just make the difference. I really do hope he does.

Originally Posted by Jelster

PS: JT is an intelligent guy and doesn't jump at the first opportunity. I would have thought that he would have made sure that he gets not just a competitive machine, but competitive tyres and support too, otherwise he wouldn't have signed.

I agree. I can't see Toseland coming on leaps and bounds like he has the last couple of years (both with fitness and riding ability), possibly winning another WSB title, only to go to MotoGP on a under performing bike and get stuffed by everything. Im sure his move to MotoGP will only have been signed if he's got a very competitive package.

Shame though, could you imagine Rossi and JT in the same Yamaha team?

Also as said, even if he has got a good package, Yamaha need to raise the game somewhat. I think its more Rossi's skills getting the places than the bike.

Skill level from WSB to MotoGP is quite a lot. Not many WSB riders have gone to MotoGP and done really well (never really a championship fighter). It'll take a while to get adjusted, but he's a learning, he'll learn, adapt, and eventually (hopefully) win and contest a title at some point.

Would be nice to have a Brit to cheer for at MotoGP.

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Apparently the talk is of Tech 3 on Michellins or Bridgestones next year.

Its the tyres I reckon will make or break him.

Seem's Yamaha have been having probs with the Michellins at the moment so it wouldnt suprise me to see Bridgestones being run.

Difficult one to call - if Tech 3 are getting factory backing next year, and if the factory Yamaha's stay on Michelin's, I don't think think Yamaha would be too keen to have the satellite team running Bridgestone's for fear of getting upstaged! Having said that, it could happen, a la Melandri on the Gresini Honda - he has HRC backing IIRC.

I'm really pleased JT is going to MotoGP - I hope he does really well from the off

I read too that the Tech 'trois' will be on B'stones or Michelins, not the Dunlops so that is a bonus. Based on everything he has said about making his move to MotoGP, I reckon he will have been very careful to make sure that he will be getting sufficient backing that will allow him to be competitive, ie, good tyres, engine parts, mechanics etc.

I can't wait to cheer him on at Donington next year, I didn't rate Ellison although maybe he was just a bit unlucky with his timing and his team, hope JT fares better.

Jelster, don't know why you don't think Elias is much good? I know he has his moments of madness but he has an extraordinary amount of talent and sheer bravery! (plus I love his 'butt down' riding style!) If he hadn't have had his accident I reckon he would have finished top five or six this year. He rides the wheels off his Honda and similar to Stoner, I reckon if he had gone on to a rocketship Ducati this year he would have won a couple of races this year. I'm not taking anything away from what Casey is doing, he's awesome, but he clearly has the fastest bike and Elias with his balls-out riding would be hard to catch on that IMO.

Cheers,
Matt

I have not checked at all but Steve I think you will find that Bazza was World Champ in the mid 70's? Then that a+s King Kenny turned up to create problems for him.

Last Britishg race winner in World Champs (moto GPish) was Jeremy McWilliams on a 25o Aprilia. We need a top boy to be out there if only to fill the void until young Smithy graduates through.

There is indeed talk of Tech 3 changing tyres but I feel it is more likely to be to Michelin rather than Bridgestone. If they went with the Japanese manufacturer we would then be so close to a 1 tyre maker situation.

Everyone is slagging off Michelin at the moment, but they assisted greatly Valentino in his 990cc dominance.This is the first year they have struggled whereas previous to this season Bridgestone have sucked sweaty arm pits and I still believe have cost Ducati dearly since 2003.