Spanish Riders

To you as well.

 

Almost got that.

250 Ninja's and R6's.

Oh wait...like alot of things...we miss the mark.

 

There are riders just as talented in the US, it's just much more difficult to keep them in a proper environment that allows them to fully develop as riders. Booby is well on his way and has beaten some of the top Spanish riders like Salom that are doing very well in Moto3, as well as the French kid Zarco that is doing very well in Moto2. I think Garrett has the talent also to compete also at the top level. Those two are in my opinion the ones with the best shot right now. There are others that are potentially as talented or possibly more so, just not sure they are in the right position to progress to the world stage. JMO

 

I was debating on taking in the MotoGP at Laguna Seca or one of the Spanish tracks and that was the main reason why I considered Spain.

So many people say that there's absolutely nothing comparable to the bike culture in Spain.

 

Isn't it the opposite in MX where American riders dominate and most Euro riders coming over to the US find it difficult to adapt....especially the outdoors?

 

Like I said earlier, America does cater to the M/X crowd. Heck, there are 4-6 classes eligible for "National Championship" status at the Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn's every year. But then, motorcycle manufacturers build bikes that these youngsters can ride. The only way they can get any road race time is to convert a mini M/X bike.
In addition, Dad can take his youngster out to dirtpits all over the nation where they can ride themselves to exhaustion. Where can a kid do that with a street tire equipped bike?
Shoot, even in the heyday of American dominance there weren't throngs of kids chomping at the bit to be the next Eddie Lawson or Wayne Rainey. They all wanted to be the next Jeremy McGrath or Ricky Charmichael. Spanish kids grow up with roadracing readily available to them, American kids grow up with M/X readily available to them. What excites you early in life is what tends to stick with you for the remainder. I see that in my own life. I enjoy the beauty and grace of roadracing, especially that of the highest level, but in my heart of hearts, I'll always prefer the awesome brutality of an American Outdoor National M/X event and what a top level Champion can accomplish around one of those tracks.

 

I'll take the BRM watch please

 

Look at how much money Respol dumps into MotoGP...


Where is Exxon/Shell, etc.... ???

 

This goes back as far as the 1960's. There were 4 or 5 motorcycle manufacturers at the time in Spain and due to the political climate there it wasn't easy to import or export. There were numerous "works' riders competing in domestic races to further the cause of the home grown factories and the love of racing grew from there.

I believe that it's only second to football in popularity in Spain.

 

I heard that motorcyle racing was actually first in Spain.

 

I don't think that's possible.

 

Ok so my sources were unreliable lol.

But like everyone said. Bikes are a luxury item here and a necessicity in most of Europe. And everyone knows that you like what you know.

For instance, we grow up liking Camaros, Mustangs and Corvettes. Every kid in america wants one, and the sporty the car th better for teenagers. SOME may actually own one. Whereas overseas chances are the first vehicle of any kind they will drive is a scooter or bike.

 

Which is why I've said the FESeMBO is actually only part of the answer. Or at least the "O" has some major shit in it.

I'd like to see the AMA work with cities to develop "green" advantages for scooters and motorcycles under 500cc beyond the pittance they enjoy today.

Reduced/waived registration fees.
Free parking.
Bike lane usage under 15 mph.
Stop light filtering forward legal.

Everyone wins (other than the auto industry) when people ride little bikes.

 

No, and it's not really close. Almost everyone watches footy. I was in Barcelona in 2001 when they won the Spanish league. The city went crazy.

 

I can't see any of that happening here. The general attitude towards bikes is they're dangerous and an annoyance.


It's more acceptable to have a lifted diesel with 40s on it. Because those aren't annoying.

 

Soccer first. Road racing second

 

I'm sure as the man behind a large US club racing org you could come to any motoGP race and have many a productive meeting. You don't need me to be your messenger.