2014 Silly Season?...maybe spoilers

[gm2]

Whut Oh I get the joke 

Maybe Guy Coulon from Tech3?

 

[Blackout]

Nicky's new ride.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/showPic

[Speeddog]

Word on the street is that Rossi confirmed he was replacing Burgess, in the Valencia Press Conference.

I'm stunned.

[Jester]

Word on the street is that Rossi confirmed he was replacing Burgess, in the Valencia Press Conference.

I'm stunned.

Confirmed in interview.  Rossi wants new direction, as he's trying to get one more Yamaha contract, but needs to be more competitive.

[Speeddog]

He's been with JB for 14 years and 7 world titles, and JB has 13 world titles in all.

I'm trying to imagine how he could improve upon that.

Granted, a large percentage of the game at that level is mental, so Rossi could use the change to boost his own psych.

But if the hardware isn't right, he's not going to do better.

[Jester]

Its good to have fresh and perhaps younger perspective with a change in Chief.  Rossi has flashes of speed to challenge, but either father time, his size, or bike setup is preventing those last few tenths he needs to hang around with the front guys.  You can't change the first two, but you can perhaps change the last part.  He might as well go for it during his last year(s) in the championship.  He and Burgess had a hell of a career together.

[derby]

He and Burgess had a hell of a career together.

burgess has had a hell of a career, period.

[MadDuck]

He's been with JB for 14 years and 7 world titles, and JB has 13 world titles in all.

I'm trying to imagine how he could improve upon that.

Granted, a large percentage of the game at that level is mental, so Rossi could use the change to boost his own psych.

But if the hardware isn't right, he's not going to do better.

I'm thinking that these days with Rossi it's mostly between the ears.  He punished those other guys for a few years and made them work like hell to get faster.  Now they are.     Just that little bit. I'd love to see him step it up next year.  Oh, yeah.

[Jester]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/burgess+on+split+after+valencia+race

[gm2]

http://superbikeplanet.com/2013/Nov/131108mnsc.htm

[OT]

About the same age as JB…if I'd been running all over the world, living in hotels, on my knees/elbows/back, etc., etc., for the past 40 years - I'd be ready to retire, too…..Rossi's doing him a favor    

[gm2]

then there's the wife with cancer thing.

[OT]

then there's the wife with cancer thing.

'No news' is good news, I suppose…

Can't wait for JB's MotoGP book to come out (just wishing/thinking ahead  )

[gm2]

'No news' is good news, I suppose…

Can't wait for JB's MotoGP book to come out (just wishing/thinking ahead  )

ironic mentions on both counts...

he says his wife is about to have more surgery but is generally doing fine.  and he talked specifically about a book, didn't commit to it but it sounds pretty likely.

[$Lindz$]

Both Rossi and Cal commented that JLo is the only one who can ride the current M1. It makes sense, seeing as it was "his" for the last 3-4 years. With the STUPID fuel consumption regulations that no one wants besides Honda (who go around bullying the other factories) JLo's size/weight, body position inside the bubble more, smooth style and early, light braking are the only ways to go fast(est) on that bike. If you're aggressive like Cal and Rossi (and especially Rossi's comparatively big size) the bike will run out of fuel so they have to dial it back to last til the end.

Now that electronics play such an important role, having a masterful "old school" crew chief isn't going to be cutting edge. Rossi needs someone to shake things up and challenge him. Not to rub salt in the wound but Jerey made the comment that in 2 weeks (what was the exact comment?) he could fix Stoner's Ducati front end issues. 2 years of misery and not a single solution. Then a year back on Rossi's favorite bike and steady P4 still with no confidence in the front end. I think it was a good run but Rossi needs to try someone new.

Not taking anything away from him, I've got a massive respect and admiration for JB and always will.