I'm curious to see what SDK is made of after today. I have hopes for the kid, but I also have reservations. I also heard Pat Kelly is stocking up on water bottles...
Its early, he got faster as the weekend went on, and he wasn't last. I want to see how he progresses this year, and how he does as he hits some of the tracks that he's more familiar with. I'm still optimistic about him.
I hope you're right. He's a good age, very marketable, and bilingual. All of those will work in his favor for a good career on the world stage.
As dominant as they've been the last couple seasons, I couldn't help but wonder... With the same crew, bike, and rider, how competitive would they be??? Sounds like Mr. Stanboli is also curious!
Didn't Stanboli also state on Dustin Coyner's podcast that he believes running a full season of WSBK would be cheaper than a season of MotoA? Mostly due to travel cost? something along the lines of DHL or Fedex ships the bikes for all the international rounds? Not to bounce too far off the topic.. Its hard to believe that smaller teams especially ones in the Super Sport class like MTM, Kallio Racing, and ProDina, have to foot the bill to get their bikes flown all over the world. I would be curios to see how well the Attack Racing R1's go at Portimao. I would have to believe that Yamaha would give them some data and setup help (or Stanboli would just be Stanboli) Jake Gagne has some experience at that track from when he took the Ten Kate Honda full time in 2018. IIRC I'm pretty sure he finished in the points both races.
So, with Makes me wonder a little if that's why the R6's are on Pirelli tires at Daytona. To get more data/experience on the tires. Also, if I remember correctly, when Attack won the 200 (2008, when Hayes was DQ'd) they were on Pirelli then, maybe that's the connection.
Richard has a history with them from all the years on the Kawis. He’s a savy dude and probably kept the connections and or is leveraging the 200 for future favors.
Looking at how Loris Baz did in MA and then immediately fantastic in WSBK, if I were Stanboli I'd be taking a good hard look at wildcarding. Herrin did wildcard WSBK Laguna with Attack in what, 2019 or 2018? I can't remember now. IIRC he crashed out trying too hard both times. But that little taste of WSBK glory probably goes a long way!
Or because there's no shortage of riders who can bring $250K to the table for a season? Look at the Moto2 paddock!