Whats up with Antony West?

Question

He showed the odd flash of talent last year but havent seen him in 08, being a Kawasaki nut Im worried.....

Answer 1

It is a worry. Ant did show real promise last year, but this seasons bike seems like a real Dog! Having said that, Hopper during his brief moments of fitness, outshines Ant. Even Jamie Hacking who'd never been on a Motogp bike before, got a better result at Laguna Seca.

I'm afraid the writings on the wall for Ant West. I reckon we'll see him in WSBK or WSS next season (where I think he will do far better than he's doing at the moment)

Answer 2

The problent with Ant West is he has trouble with bike setup, if you give him a bike that is properly set up, he can win, but if it isn't set up properly he struggles with it. When he was racing the R6 in Wlrld Supersport last year, he was given a bike that worked perfectly (also, in the road bike based classes like superbikes and supersports the setup isn't as critical as it is in MotoGP)

He needs to find a team manager like Geremy Burgess, someone who can work with him and help him with setup.

Also, I don't think the Kawasaki is the right bike for him.

I would like to see him go to World Superbike and have a team mate like Troy Corser who could teach him about bike setup or world supersport with the yamaha team he rode for last year as I believe he could win the championship.

I think he is a brilliant rider who once he learns how to setup a bike properly could be a world champion.

Answer 3

He has no end of problems in 08.

First about the bike just drifting and powersliding, then saying the front end was washing out, then he hurt his back.

The bottom line is, he is not good enough to be in MotoGP.

Answer 4

I agree with blackdog. Ant needs someone who can show him how to get the best out of a bike. Rossi is lucky he has got Burgess and is great at setting up the bike himself. He has his old man to thank for that. Ant's a great rider I hope he can get himself a better bike as the Kwaka is a dog