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Are riders desperately keen to get their hands on that YZF?
Lets be honest, if we take Eli off of the Yamaha, who else is performing on it?
It goes back to being the blue pig.
Somehow I don’t see Webb as the mentoring type. He wants to beat everyone, starting with his teammates.
He’s not guaranteed that 450 spot at all. He said HIS goal is to be on a 450, that’s not Hondas goal. Hondas goal is to have him sport the number 1 plate.
His contract is up next year, and depending on who is currently on that bike, he may have to move to another team. Honda won’t have 3 450 riders.
I don't see Honda letting Hunter go just for the marketing value unless he just decides he has to get away from the Jettson Show.
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I wonder if Kawasaki would buy AC out of his contract? Not sure how much $$ is involved there. Big AC fan but I would love to see Malcolm on that bike with Ando as teammate. Would be a great line up!
What marketing value does an eighth place 450 guy have over Sexton or Webb?
Honda will have Jett and possibly Webb, why would they need Hunter?
Completely spitballing here but I would think this:
If Tomac retires, Chase to KTM and Webb to Star. Hunter moves up to HRC 450 with Jett.
If Tomac does not retire AND Webb/KTM decide not to separate, (and this is just what I think would be cool) Tomac SX only in 24 with Chase and Dylan while KTM no change with Webb and Plessinger. Chase can then be Star's #1 as soon as Eli is gone and he only needs to deal with that for half a season. Won't need to share KTM with Webb. Hunter still moves up to HRC w/ Jett.
Have to assume everything falls into place after Eli/Webb/Chase debacle gets figured out as far as JA21 and if he stays or goes elsewhere but I don't necessarily think many other 450 guys move around.
I’m about 90% sure Sexton to KTM is done. Honda is making a push for Webb.
The big number 2 on Honda would be cool to see again.
AC has another year on his contract.
They have openly said they can't afford a top 5 rider and want a top 10 rider. So going from that premise you eliminate several and start looking down the list at possible candidates.
Didn’t think they could afford a top five, was hoping for someone like Savatgy or Marchbanks. Or maybe a proven satellite team that wants to switch bikes? Hopefully they have the bike ironed out somewhat. I’m sure Ben Watson is providing great input.
Ferrandis wnba title on it before Tomac. It’s clearly a more potent bike since Star took it over.
How interesting it would be if they switched rides… that’d be a trip!
I respectfully disagree. If they didn't care about marketing value they wouldn't have offered something to Kenny for 23. I would think Hunter has more upside than Webb from a speed and marketing standpoint.
Hunter has more speed than Cooper? In what world is that?
Coopers social media is more than double Hunters. Hunters not Jett.
Honda wants titles way more than they want a marketable 5-8 place guy.
source or is this speculation?
what makes you think Hunter is a 4-5th place guy..
Consider Jett & Dazzy say hunter is the same speed as him, and the battling they did all summer. why wouldn't you want both of them? they are only going to push each other to get faster as time goes on. Thinking of the future and not the current crop. whos the 2nd youngest rider after sexton in the 450's? with the top 10 in the 450's all in the back end of the career.. hard not to think ahead.
Pit Row
That YZF has Eli's suspension guru on it, if Eli goes elsewhere so might the suspension guru
I would assume that playing second fiddle to Jett would be a bit of a sticking point for Webb?
I wouldn't worry about that. Seems like the only elsewhere Eli will be going is to his ranch in Colorado and probably Elk country in the Fall.
A friend.
I don’t think he will be a 4-5 place guy, I think he’ll be a 5-8 place guy at best. Do you really see him beating Anderson, Mookie, or Barcia? If so, you are living in a dream world. I dont see him being any faster than Justin Cooper or Craig
I think most forget that all these guys have a regional title, Hunta doesn’t.
dream world? you forget these current riders are aging and on the back end... yes, hunter wont beat them right now.. but in another year or two.. are all these riders still going to be racing? families and kids come into play, wanting to cut back a little more. top 10 all coming into their 30's (except chase).. but again, its timing. every one talks like Barcia, Tomac, Anderson etc are all going to be racing forever...
A years time.. you going to take a 25 year old who is only getting faster or a 30+ year old who wants to tone it back and enjoy the back end of their career.
we cant predict the future.. but you cant ignore age. until now, most riders retired before 30
Wouldn’t Honda put him on the west coast next year instead of Hymas? They didn’t have Jett run east coast this year to sport the #1. I’d imagine they’d have him run west coast so he’d have more time to get ready for 450 outdoors like Jett is doing this year. Maybe they’ll have him run a 250 indoors and outdoors next year I guess but haven’t they moved their 250 guys up to 450s in outdoors two times in a row now?
Assuming they want to keep Hunter, why would they start him out in 450 SX?
Coty Schock to Stark Varg
You have a point with age, but he’s beating barely beating Anstie and Thrasher. Anstie was a an 11 place 450 guy.
Maybe I’m wrong, and he does well when they all start to retire, but right now, in this group he an eighth place guy.
I feel for 2024 HRC will be,
Jett 450 SX and outdoors.
Hunter 250sx and 450 outdoors.
Colt 450 sx, fill in outdoors, if required.
Then hrc should be adding a 250 rider outdoors. Not saying he would be ready for 24 but I wouldn't be suprised to see honda steal drew Adams. He is as the Lawrence's Compound and a lot of Honda connections are often there.
How Webb will do without Aldon Baker in his corner and riding with Honda. Seems Webb needs someone to help and Aldon stays with KTM group.
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