James#52 & Colin#5. Team mates again?

Question

Who would have thought? Ten years later and these two are back in the same pit!

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/motogp_news.htm?menu=news

Said it before, say it again, Roll on 2008 !

Your thoughts please.

Answer 1

Yeh, they used to be in the Castrol Honda WSS team didn't they. I believe they got on well together back then, so I don't see why they shouldn't now.

At first I wasn't impressed by the way Guintoli was elbowed out to make way for Edwards. As I've said before, I think Sylvain showed a lot more promise than he was given credit for.

But looking at it now, its probably a good move as far as James is concerned. Colin's experience should give James a real boost, where bike set up, track layout, and all the little nitty gritty points about being in the MotoGP paddock are concerned.

I honestly don't think James will set the world alight in his rookie season. Hopefully he'll be able to fight for one or two podiums, but realistically I think he'll mostly be mid pack. Even to be Rookie of the Year he's got to beat the likes of Lorenzo and Dovisiozo (and maybe  de Angelis). Thats gonna be a tall order, as they say the best training ground for the 800's is the 250 class (and its been a while since James raced one of those).

As for Colin next season.............I really can't see him doing any better than he's doing now. I know they say that the Tech 3 team is a full factory effort, and at the start of the season will probably be identical to the Fiat Yams. But as the season goes on, I know who the factory will favour! I think that there's also the possibility that the Fiat boys will be on Bridgstones and the Tech 3 boys on Michelin. Maybe I'm just being cynical. We'll have to wait and see. Everyone at Yamaha are keeping pretty quiet at the moment.

Just to summarise then. I think Colin will have an indifferent year (much like this one), but will be a huge asset to James. I also think it will be Colins last year in MotoGP.

James will find it tough, but he's a real fighter and I'm sure he'll have one or two really good results (top 5). And with Colins help will be in much better position for his first non rookie season.

(Hopefully I'm wrong and James will be champion next year!)

I say it every year...........next season will be awesome!

Answer 2

It would be fun to watch them together! I hope their team gets a few podiums.

I can't wait for 2008! So many changes... :))

Answer 3

Morning Wiggy,

I think they will make an awesome pairing - if it comes off! It seems to me that Rossi and Lorenzo might not find themselves the only Yami's on the podium next year.

Then I found this;

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~...

re: Toselands empty seat (Checa?) with a lot of speculation as to whether Ten Kate will be moving into motogp in the near future?

I wondered what your thoughts were on that subject - now I think I'll just ask and await.......more speculation.

Don't you just love it!