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I’ll bet he’s watching the Prado situation with some serious concern and hoping it’s 95% rider problem and 5% bike problem, although educated observers are saying otherwise.
Like all highly-sought premiere class riders who switch teams, I am sure the dude has some pretty good time on the bike in question.
If that’s the case then what do you make of the Prado situation? Or the first half of last year for Chase on the KTM?
Most of the problem in both cases is those guys setup between the ears.
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Maybe. I agree Chase is not going to magically start beating Jett on a different bike. It could also be there were other factors driving Chase’s decision to leave KTM.
For sure.
There are serious structural concerns at both Kawi and (even worse) KTM. I don't blame him for looking at options. Yamaha is full and couldn't afford to retain Tomac. The bridges at Honda were burnt. That leaves green.
Let's put it this way...If Sexton doesn't do good on the Kawi, he's probably seen his last factory ride.
Haha. This is an unhinged take. Chase wins races every year and is always in the fight. Until that stops, he'll have a factory ride. He's going to be riding factory equipment for 5-8 more years.
I don’t think it’s a case of him not being good enough; it’s more a question of where is there a seat? Honda, Yamaha and KTM (assuming Eli is going there) all have their rosters full for the foreseeable future. Ducati and Triumph are future possibilities but relatively unknown at this stage.
"Seats are full right now" is a pretty far gap from "last factory ride."
Honda doesn't want or need him, KTM doesn't want him back, Yamaha definitely doesn't need him. So Kawi is his last option. And, we all know how this story will probably end...something wrong with equipment. Gas Gas is basically dead. Triumph or Duc possibly, but it won't be for anywhere near the salary he'd want. I'd say if he doesn't do decent on this contract with Kawi, he'll have a tough row to hoe with any factory contracts going forward.
Chase to HEP Suzuki in 2028 - stamp it!!
Thought I would bring a little levity to the thread.
Maybe Ducati offered him a decent salary with bonuses and also offered him stock. Chase is young yet. Kawi doesn't seem receptive to rider input
I look back at what Jordan did years ago with Nike. A smart decision.
Young Jordan went to play on a Nike sports team? I thought he just wore their shoes.
And the world keeps getting dumber and dumber
No, Jordan made them give him a piece(%) of every shoe they sold with his name on it.
With how accommodating and open to suggestion that HEP team have been, they could be a nice fit for a finicky, fussy guy like Chase.
The bike can win. If Chase can develop it.
I’m getting the impression that Chase struggles with that part though.
But didn't put his personal career success in their hands in any way. He played for the Chicago Bulls basketball team.
Jordan wearing Nike under a cut-of-sales deal is vaguely analagous to Ricky wearing Berik boots and whatever financial deal was in place there, not which team Chase chooses to sign with.
Pit Row
How do you know Star wont want him? Coop isnt the youngest guy on the gate and who says Deegan with deliver in sx? I'm fairly certain he will be great outdoors but we know sx pays the bills. And Deegan is far from a sure thing indoors. Chase is A-tier talent. There will always be a ride for him
Strange things happen. Who would’ve guessed that Eli would be out of Star Yamaha and looking for a ride?
Yup. But if Eli was 25 they wouldn't have let him go
I mean, that's true. I'm sure not even leading a lap when you're supposed to be the guy and seeing your 19-year-old rookie teammate go undefeated would be demoralizing to most people
Well know if Chase is happy or not depending on which way he wears his hat
Not sure why Prados finishes are any indication of how well the kawasaki performs. His results would be the same no matter what bike he was riding. Chase will still be a top 3 guy on a green bike like he was on the last 2 bikes.
If he makes the move, it ain't about performance. Its about money.
I'm genuinely curios on what Sextons future looks like if he gets on that Kawi and doesn't like it...
I don't know the man, but Sexton comes across as a head case. Kind of reminds me of Windham back in the day, speed and talent but... No way Sexton or anyone leaves KTM and starts winning. Oh wait, except for Cooper Webb, I don't know how he did that.... 🤣
Hell, even if Deegan does deliver, Star has already proven with Webb and Eli that they're cool with having two serious contenders on the team (this is assuming Webb retires by then, and Chase is cool co-headlining a team).
Did Chase post somewhere he is going to Kawasaki?
Not yet
Post a reply to: Does Sexton REALLY think he will be better on Kawasaki ?