i think its a big mistake to go to moto gp
After 2 winning seasons at WSB, what’s the next challenge…another season in WSB? Nah, he’s young enough to go to MotoGP and try, so why not, but then if it doesn’t work out as we, oh so optimistic and supportive fans seem to think, he’ll still be able to return to WSB if he wants with a couple of years ahead of him still instead of at the end of his career - Biaggi style.
I think its a mistake purely cos he’s not going to a better team. The thing is MotoGP is the UNiversity for the ITalian/SPanish 125/250 primary and secondary schools.
Toseland’s got a degree from the Open University which doesn’t quite cut it. Its series snobbery and I agree the WSB is growing and could seriously sting MotoGP where it hurts ultimately, but that’s still a long few years down the line. See also Formula 1 versus A1 Series Makhtoum set up. Theoretically the level playing field that all the fans and teams wanted…but has it taken over from F1 yet? Hell no.
Same with MotoGP, Dorna are savvy enough to tweak their “product” if it does look like they’re seriously losing out to WSB besides there are enough fans out there craving the bigger horses and more unusual world of Prototype bikes that GP offers to keep it popular.
As long as Toseland gets decent tyres, then he’ll be in with a chance as he will theoretically be on the same machinery as Valentino (although Vale will get updates and improvements to the YZR-M1 first).
I think what has dogged the M1 this year has been the tyres. I believe had Rossi had the tyre performance consistancy that he enjoyed in 05, even with his bike’s speed disadvantage, he could push Stoner and get to the front of him either through merit or through Stoner making a mistake.
Its a shame, but Toseland could be instrumental in Yamaha exploring other tyre options as they’re likely to run the Tech 3 bikes on a competing brand for data acquistion to determine what will be the future winning package for the firm.