Ant West: I'd Sack Me If I Was Kawasaki
Submitted by Kropotkin on Wed, 2008-08-13 15:52.
Despite the romance and the glamor, life in motorcycle racing's premier series is a merciless existence. Just how tough it is is revealed in an interview MCN's Matthew Birt did with Ant West, in which West reveals his exasperation at his own form. In the interview, West concedes that if he was in charge at Kawasaki, he would probably sack himself, given his run of poor form since the beginning of the season. Kawasaki are expected to announce soon that West's contract will not be renewed for next year.
But finding a replacement will not be easy. Riders are hardly lining up for a shot on the Kawasaki ZXRR, especially after having watched John Hopkins slip from potential podium positions aboard the Suzuki to struggling to get into the top 10 on the Kawasaki. The only thing capable of tempting riders is money, and money is not something in abundant supply at Team Green, despite the Monster Energy sponsorship.
So West may yet get to stay in MotoGP. His main advantage is the fact that he is cheap, and the alternative for Kawasaki would be hiring another rider prepared to ride for pin money, in MotoGP terms. Until Kawasaki can improve the bike and get it running closer to the front, Kawasaki and West could yet be condemned to stick together.
The bigger question is why West should stay in MotoGP. The Australian would be almost certain to take the factory seat for Yamaha in the World Supersport series, and would have an excellent shot at the world title in that series, given the brilliance he displayed on a 600. And a decent seat in World Superbike should also be achievable for West, based on his performance in World Supersport and MotoGP. Though given that Kawasaki's record in World Superbike is even worse than in MotoGP, he would be wise to switch manufacturers in that series.
Silly season is hotting up, and MotoGP is approaching the point of the year when contracts are signed and riders are released. Ant West is a safe bet to be the second rider to go, now that Marco Melandri has been freed from another year of misery at Ducati.
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This is sad as I had so much
This is sad as I had so much hope for West when he got the MotoGp ride. I also had a lot of hope for Kawasaki. Both seem to have failed and I believe taht Kawasaki has to be aware of the fact that West's results are at least 50% their fault so they have failed together.
If I was West, I would probably be looking elsewhere as he can probably earn a better living in another series (total guess on my part). The only thing that would keep me on the green MotoGP team would be some hope that they will actually have the bike and team in order for next year. Remember that many of Hopkins' problem have been stupid mechanical failures- a broken chain? I havent' seen that in MotoGP in many, many years.
"now that Marco Melandri has
"now that Marco Melandri has been freed from another year of misery at Ducati."
when did this happen? I haven't read that anywhere.
Melandri leaving Ducati
We reported on it earlier. Basically, Melandri's manager announced that he'd been released from the second year of his contract at the Sachsenring.
West should be winning
I would definitely prefer to see Ant mixing it for some podiums in Superbike than being expected to perform miracles in MotoGP. I think WSBK is getting bigger very fast and there could be some big money to be had by racing there. Even if Kawasaki keep him, I doubt they will have a good bike next year and Ant will be struggling in mid-pack at best, maybe a podium on a good day so he may get the boot next year anyway.
I think the quicker he gets into superbike the better. Even if it takes a year or two for factories to notice him, I think he'll rise to the top if he stays motivated. I'll even put the claim out there that he could be the next Corser or Bayliss in no time.
It seem from the MCN article though, that West sees supersport and even superbikes as a huge drop from MotoGP, which personally I don't agree with. Like I said, I think the superbike competition will almost be a second GP in years to come and I'd love to see Westy at the front.
Hmmmmm
The kid has a ton of heart, let's hope Kawasaki finds they do too; soon! There was a time, when they considered winning very important. In some racing courses, they still do. I think.......