MXGP Rumours/Silly season

philG
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7/30/2023 9:16am
Can’t make my mind up about Watson. Not sure if he cuts it in MXGP or the Beta is not a developed bike yet. The bike...

Can’t make my mind up about Watson. Not sure if he cuts it in MXGP or the Beta is not a developed bike yet. The bike looks really slow of the start. Good job he has a ride for next year or he may have struggled for a deal. 

He’s been on 2 factory teams since joining the MXGP class & hasn't really done anything of note. It’s probably a case of him & the...

He’s been on 2 factory teams since joining the MXGP class & hasn't really done anything of note. It’s probably a case of him & the Beta. 

Yeah his rookie season on yam was ok. He said he had a bad year on the kawi but think this season is worse. Even if...

Yeah his rookie season on yam was ok. He said he had a bad year on the kawi but think this season is worse. Even if he had a proper factory ride the class is that stacked now I think he would struggle to be a top 10 guy.

He had a solid final year on the MX2 Yamaha and had done enough to get a one year deal on the 450, and would have still been there for a second season, had RVDM not wiped Vialle out to gift (to a point) Renaux the title and a 450 ride. 

And The Kawasaki deal was a bust , it was a new team with a new bike, and the No1 rider busted from an SX crash, plus, even when Febvre came back, they have to run different suspension, so there was no ability to share set up... Evans has struggled too, and Febvre was only there cos his contract was with Kawasaki, and he wants out as well. 

That season was well documented. 

 

The Beta is not even close to being a truly competitive MXGP bike, at this point, due to it being down on power off the gate, you cant ride round that, but it is getting better slowly. 

That said, he got a top 10 at Lommel, and beat both Factory Honda's in the first race, even though they all had a fall. 

With Lupino being missing so much, the development side isnt going as fast. 

I dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike. 

 

2
7/30/2023 9:35am
He’s been on 2 factory teams since joining the MXGP class & hasn't really done anything of note. It’s probably a case of him & the...

He’s been on 2 factory teams since joining the MXGP class & hasn't really done anything of note. It’s probably a case of him & the Beta. 

Yeah his rookie season on yam was ok. He said he had a bad year on the kawi but think this season is worse. Even if...

Yeah his rookie season on yam was ok. He said he had a bad year on the kawi but think this season is worse. Even if he had a proper factory ride the class is that stacked now I think he would struggle to be a top 10 guy.

philG wrote:
He had a solid final year on the MX2 Yamaha and had done enough to get a one year deal on the 450, and would have...

He had a solid final year on the MX2 Yamaha and had done enough to get a one year deal on the 450, and would have still been there for a second season, had RVDM not wiped Vialle out to gift (to a point) Renaux the title and a 450 ride. 

And The Kawasaki deal was a bust , it was a new team with a new bike, and the No1 rider busted from an SX crash, plus, even when Febvre came back, they have to run different suspension, so there was no ability to share set up... Evans has struggled too, and Febvre was only there cos his contract was with Kawasaki, and he wants out as well. 

That season was well documented. 

 

The Beta is not even close to being a truly competitive MXGP bike, at this point, due to it being down on power off the gate, you cant ride round that, but it is getting better slowly. 

That said, he got a top 10 at Lommel, and beat both Factory Honda's in the first race, even though they all had a fall. 

With Lupino being missing so much, the development side isnt going as fast. 

I dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike. 

 

Agree the Beta bike isn’t to MXGP standard. I know they did some upgrades after Argentina to get more BHP but seems to be struggling on power still. I think Ben is a great rider, all I’m saying is the level of the top 10 guys is so high now and even with Ben on the perfect bike for him whatever that may be I still don’t know if he would be a consistent top 10 guy.

7/30/2023 9:45am

Any word on Vlaanderen's plans? Contract with Gebben finishes this year. 

If no factory has a deal then I'd expect Gebben to give him another year.

philG
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7/30/2023 9:56am
Agree the Beta bike isn’t to MXGP standard. I know they did some upgrades after Argentina to get more BHP but seems to be struggling on...

Agree the Beta bike isn’t to MXGP standard. I know they did some upgrades after Argentina to get more BHP but seems to be struggling on power still. I think Ben is a great rider, all I’m saying is the level of the top 10 guys is so high now and even with Ben on the perfect bike for him whatever that may be I still don’t know if he would be a consistent top 10 guy.

Thats a valid statement, but look who we have in MXGP right now, injuries aside. 

Febvre,Gajser,Herlings,Prado,and Jonass,Renaux all have World Championships

Then you have, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Fernandez, and Guadiagnini all on Factory bikes. 

Then Vlaanderen and Forato. 

Its a deep field. 

I saw somewhere the other day on here ' there are 10 guys who think they are top 5 riders' ... in MXGP there are 15 who think they are top 10. 

Even if he isnt a regular top10 guy , he is the best we have in the UK, and will be for a long time to come. 

 

5

The Shop

7/30/2023 10:06am
Agree the Beta bike isn’t to MXGP standard. I know they did some upgrades after Argentina to get more BHP but seems to be struggling on...

Agree the Beta bike isn’t to MXGP standard. I know they did some upgrades after Argentina to get more BHP but seems to be struggling on power still. I think Ben is a great rider, all I’m saying is the level of the top 10 guys is so high now and even with Ben on the perfect bike for him whatever that may be I still don’t know if he would be a consistent top 10 guy.

philG wrote:
Thats a valid statement, but look who we have in MXGP right now, injuries aside.  Febvre,Gajser,Herlings,Prado,and Jonass,Renaux all have World Championships Then you have, Coldenhoff, Seewer...

Thats a valid statement, but look who we have in MXGP right now, injuries aside. 

Febvre,Gajser,Herlings,Prado,and Jonass,Renaux all have World Championships

Then you have, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Fernandez, and Guadiagnini all on Factory bikes. 

Then Vlaanderen and Forato. 

Its a deep field. 

I saw somewhere the other day on here ' there are 10 guys who think they are top 5 riders' ... in MXGP there are 15 who think they are top 10. 

Even if he isnt a regular top10 guy , he is the best we have in the UK, and will be for a long time to come. 

 

You’re right Phil. I think coming from the era that grew up watching searle, Simpson and anstie I was a bit spoilt and it hurts not to see Brits on the podium. Sure Ben will be our best for years to come but sure hope we have some young riders come through in the future. 

1
Brent
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7/30/2023 12:34pm
roninho wrote:
@insider Regarding De Baets and emx250. I am not talking about 'just' a trailer/rig. Hutten has their own fitness area, appartments for the riders, support staff...

@insider Regarding De Baets and emx250. I am not talking about 'just' a trailer/rig. Hutten has their own fitness area, appartments for the riders, support staff (riding coach, physical coach etc). I wonder what de baets can offer for that

And a badass Foosball  table and indoor handball court.

not really apartments, more like bedrooms…

roninho
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7/30/2023 1:04pm
philG wrote:
He had a solid final year on the MX2 Yamaha and had done enough to get a one year deal on the 450, and would have...

He had a solid final year on the MX2 Yamaha and had done enough to get a one year deal on the 450, and would have still been there for a second season, had RVDM not wiped Vialle out to gift (to a point) Renaux the title and a 450 ride. 

And The Kawasaki deal was a bust , it was a new team with a new bike, and the No1 rider busted from an SX crash, plus, even when Febvre came back, they have to run different suspension, so there was no ability to share set up... Evans has struggled too, and Febvre was only there cos his contract was with Kawasaki, and he wants out as well. 

That season was well documented. 

 

The Beta is not even close to being a truly competitive MXGP bike, at this point, due to it being down on power off the gate, you cant ride round that, but it is getting better slowly. 

That said, he got a top 10 at Lommel, and beat both Factory Honda's in the first race, even though they all had a fall. 

With Lupino being missing so much, the development side isnt going as fast. 

I dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike. 

 

Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"?

When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and Febvre all easily outperformed him?

There are many riders who would do a better job then Watson.

 

4
philG
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7/30/2023 1:40pm
roninho wrote:
Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"? When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and...

Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"?

When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and Febvre all easily outperformed him?

There are many riders who would do a better job then Watson.

 

Anyone else who could be on it . 

It isnt that long ago he crashed while leading an MXGP race, at Trentino, and was winner of the MX1 class at MXoN. 

If he decided to leave tomorrow, nobody else who is available to ride that bike , would jump on it and do better. 

None of the guys you mentioned would even consider riding it, 

 

7/31/2023 1:32am
roninho wrote:
Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"? When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and...

Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"?

When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and Febvre all easily outperformed him?

There are many riders who would do a better job then Watson.

 

philG wrote:
Anyone else who could be on it .  It isnt that long ago he crashed while leading an MXGP race, at Trentino, and was winner of...

Anyone else who could be on it . 

It isnt that long ago he crashed while leading an MXGP race, at Trentino, and was winner of the MX1 class at MXoN. 

If he decided to leave tomorrow, nobody else who is available to ride that bike , would jump on it and do better. 

None of the guys you mentioned would even consider riding it, 

 

Why would they ride it? They have decent factory rides for a reason. 

1
Juck
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7/31/2023 2:57am
roninho wrote:
Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"? When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and...

Come on Phil, "dont think anyone else would be doing better on that bike"?

When in the previous 3 years his teammates Geerts, Coldenhoff, Seewer and Febvre all easily outperformed him?

There are many riders who would do a better job then Watson.

 

philG wrote:
Anyone else who could be on it .  It isnt that long ago he crashed while leading an MXGP race, at Trentino, and was winner of...

Anyone else who could be on it . 

It isnt that long ago he crashed while leading an MXGP race, at Trentino, and was winner of the MX1 class at MXoN. 

If he decided to leave tomorrow, nobody else who is available to ride that bike , would jump on it and do better. 

None of the guys you mentioned would even consider riding it, 

 

He won the MX1 class at MXoN! Holy shit guys he beat Seva Brylyakov 😮😮😮😮 UK still on top ☝️💪🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

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Motofinne
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7/31/2023 6:47am

Van Horebeek did show in 2021 and 2022 that the Beta can be decent and he put in some very solid results in a field that could be argued to have been better than in 2023.

Sure Watson has a couple of things to point at why the last years have been bad but in the end of the day he isn't really performing. And i think most of the people he is racing against are also dealing with limiting factors.

7/31/2023 6:58am
Motofinne wrote:
Van Horebeek did show in 2021 and 2022 that the Beta can be decent and he put in some very solid results in a field that...

Van Horebeek did show in 2021 and 2022 that the Beta can be decent and he put in some very solid results in a field that could be argued to have been better than in 2023.

Sure Watson has a couple of things to point at why the last years have been bad but in the end of the day he isn't really performing. And i think most of the people he is racing against are also dealing with limiting factors.

Yeah, forget that JVH did have some good results and that bike and looks good now as a fill in. Think things like that don’t help Watson when a rider who has been retired comes back and is clearly faster. 

roninho
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8/1/2023 4:48am

Watson is a decent rider and another example of a guy who is hurt by the age limit.

He also might develop into a vlaanderen or Bogers if given time and the right team.and i understand why British fans want him to get a better opportunity.

I just dont think he has shown something that warrants a better shot and feel that the "he is doing a great job" stories are a massive overvaluation of at best decent results.

 

2
Cortami79
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8/13/2023 6:08am

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

ML512
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8/13/2023 6:13am
Cortami79 wrote:

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

Last I asked Lewis, he said Prado is confirmed at GasGas.

-MAVERICK-
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8/13/2023 6:19am
Cortami79 wrote:

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract. 

As far as I know Febvre hasn't re-signed with Kawasaki just yet, but they have signed a rider. 

280driver
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8/13/2023 6:29am
Cortami79 wrote:

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

-MAVERICK- wrote:
I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract.  As far as I know...

I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract. 

As far as I know Febvre hasn't re-signed with Kawasaki just yet, but they have signed a rider. 

Sure hope Kawi resigns Febvre after the season he’s had this year.

Juck
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8/13/2023 6:55am
Cortami79 wrote:

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

-MAVERICK- wrote:
I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract.  As far as I know...

I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract. 

As far as I know Febvre hasn't re-signed with Kawasaki just yet, but they have signed a rider. 

Who's the rider?

-MAVERICK-
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8/13/2023 7:01am
Juck wrote:

Who's the rider?

That I don't know. 

8/13/2023 7:11am
Juck wrote:

Who's the rider?

-MAVERICK- wrote:

That I don't know. 

I'll take a guess. #10

-MAVERICK-
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8/13/2023 7:13am
Boomslang wrote:

I'll take a guess. #10

I don't think Calvin has signed anything yet. 

ML512
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8/13/2023 7:14am
Boomslang wrote:

I'll take a guess. #10

Ehh, it’s someone else…

8/13/2023 7:17am
Boomslang wrote:

I'll take a guess. #10

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't think Calvin has signed anything yet. 

I don't know anything for certain but there is a buzz here in Cape Town and all indications are that there is something lined up. 

I have a gut feel that it's the Kawa ride.

mxb2
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8/13/2023 7:17am
Boomslang wrote:

I'll take a guess. #10

ML512 wrote:

Ehh, it’s someone else…

Ferrandis?

1
1
JBone19
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8/13/2023 7:17am

Seewer..

Cortami79
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8/13/2023 7:23am
ML512 wrote:

Last I asked Lewis, he said Prado is confirmed at GasGas.

Good for him. Then my source is not as decent as I thought Laughing

anyways, still barely any news quite late into the year

insider
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8/13/2023 9:24am
Cortami79 wrote:

Not sure how decent the rumours are that I’ve heard, but there would be a possibility of Prado going to Kawasaki, pushing Febvre out?

-MAVERICK- wrote:
I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract.  As far as I know...

I believe Prado is staying put at GasGas because it takes too much money to buy him out of his contract. 

As far as I know Febvre hasn't re-signed with Kawasaki just yet, but they have signed a rider. 

Juck wrote:

Who's the rider?

The only one I can think off is Jeremy Seewer..

insider
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8/13/2023 9:26am Edited Date/Time 8/13/2023 9:27am
Boomslang wrote:

I'll take a guess. #10

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't think Calvin has signed anything yet. 

Boomslang wrote:
I don't know anything for certain but there is a buzz here in Cape Town and all indications are that there is something lined up.  I...

I don't know anything for certain but there is a buzz here in Cape Town and all indications are that there is something lined up. 

I have a gut feel that it's the Kawa ride.

Vlaanderen isn’t landing a ride at Kawasaki.

1
tek14
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8/13/2023 9:32am

Seewer at Kawasaki and Febvre isnt happy offer Kawasaki has for him on table. 

Motofinne
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8/13/2023 11:11am

My guess is that Kawasaki offered Febvre something that was way below what he is earning now. I'm sure Febvre is pretty confident in keeping his pay high after so many race wins, as he should.

2

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