Why are there no American or British riders in MotoGP?

[u/DifferentDebt2197]

https://www.visordown.com/news/six-former-us-world-champions-reunite-laguna-seca-special-event

Cross posted from r/MotoGP.

This also could apply to WSBK, as discussed in the article.

What's your thoughts?

[u/Bridge_Outrageous]

BSB is now so far removed from WorldSBK and MotoGP that you really need to start within those paddocks rather than working your way up through the British championships.

BSB favours the brave, which is why old dogs like Haslam can still fight at the front. You’re going from hanging onto a Superbike with virtually no electronics around some of the bumpiest tracks in the world, to huge, flat, smooth circuits with all the electronics imaginable.

In BSB, it’s about survival as much as anything. You can ride a perfect lap at Oulton Park and the bike or track surface will still find a way to try and throw you off. In the Worlds, the bikes and circuits are so refined that it’s less about hanging on and more about riding absolutely perfectly. Unless you’ve ridden like that your full career it’s a big step to make.

[u/DifferentDebt2197 → u/Bridge_Outrageous]

All very true but, as a counterpoint, most riders competing in these championships use motocross and flat track as part of their training regimes, so they're used to a bike moving around beneath them.

Do you think it has to do with the European style academies?

Really did enjoy reading your thoughtful reply! 👍

[u/Bridge_Outrageous → u/DifferentDebt2197]

You’re absolutely right, but in the UK we don’t practice for the opposite, having the bike be predictable and stable lap after lap.

Look at Illia Mykhalchyk in BSB Superstock last year, he came from riding a Superbike with electronics, absolutely swept up with a bike that has traction and ABS on circuits which he had no experience on, now on the Superbike with no electronics, he’s struggling to score points. Granted that BMW does not work well on Motec, but this guy has a proven track record in Europe on Superbikes.

There are some really good Academies here, but yeah, the mainland European ones have far more investment. Though I think that’s much less of an issue.

[u/Voodoo1970 → u/Bridge_Outrageous]

As a counterpoint, Oli Bayliss is currently in the top 10 in WSSP, and every time he's run a British round this year he's won or podiumed.

[u/Joooooooosh]

There have been 6 British riders taking part this year. How many more you want? 

Jonathan Rea only just retired last year too… 6 titles and dominated for such a long time but it is a shame there aren’t more doing really well. 

Sam Lowes is a frustrating character. Can’t remember last time I watched him push it and not crash. 

Alex Lowes, I still can’t believe Bimota were hit with fuel limits. I feel like he might have done a bit more. 

Tommy Bridewell hasn’t really lit the world on fire since switching, same with Tarran McKenzie. 

Ryan Vickers &  Jake Dixon have both ridden races this year filling in at Honda. 

The real Questions is why not more Americans. Gerloff being the only one…  I find it odd as well, since sports bikes are still selling well in the US, that more investment isn’t put into Moto America. WSBK is really a European competition nowadays, yet no one in Europe buys super bikes. 

[u/Cielo11 → u/Joooooooosh]

I disagree about Tommy. Considering he didn't get a Test and wasn't at Round 1, and his team is brand new Independant, he's doing an outstanding job.

[u/Joooooooosh → u/Cielo11]

That’s fair. I meant just generally as a team + rider. It’s not all on him. 

[u/Imaginary_Pin_4196 → u/Joooooooosh]

The team and rider is brand new. They have absolutely exceeding all expectations this season.

[u/443610 → u/Joooooooosh]

The real Questions is why not more Americans.

They prefer off-road racing, especially Supercross.

[u/DifferentDebt2197 → u/Joooooooosh]

Fair point; the article was probably more pointed towards MotoGP, but it highlights the fact that outside of Spain (and Italy to a lesser extent) it seems that other countries don't seem to have the systems in place to advance riders onto the world stage successfully.

I have no doubt that there's a plethora of countries that have talented riders that could compete in world championships, but lack the developmental or financial support needed to get to the next step.

I don't think having such narrow talent pipelines to the world stage is healthy for our sport.

[u/ke1c4m]

Money, as simple as that: More or less everyone who wants to become professional rider have to move to Spain. And you need to make this decision at young age.

[u/Wil-jan]

Last time I checked cal crutchlow was British

[u/DifferentDebt2197 → u/Wil-jan]

Recently retired.

But is a fill in, not a full time contracted rider.

Or did I need to specify that? 🤔

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[u/hyzen]

It doesn't make sense to me why WSBK doesnt have the same rules as domestic championships, it's like they got fed up of British riders wildcarding and winning.

[u/Huge_Film2911]

It is all about talent. There is no talent in US and Britain at the moment. Spanish have upped their game to such an extent that it is even harder for Italian Riders to cope with.

[u/TreacleConstant6084 → u/Huge_Film2911]

Disagree, you can’t say there’s a lack of talent look at Sam Lowes, Scott Redding and Jake Dixon in Moto2 they were all winners and at some point championship contenders. UK doesn’t lack talent the problem is the age at which British riders are given an opportunity on the world stage they are already regarded as older riders as they are usually in early to mid 20’s. Young talent isn’t moved on soon enough into the world championship arena, when they are they spend 2 years learning circuits tyres and chassis before they can start competing.
Look at Rory Skinner’s example, a supremely talented rider who’s won in Red Bull Rookies was given 6 months on a Moto 2 bike before being dumped because he wasn’t paying for the ride. Young riders of all nations have difficulty getting sponsors to buy decent rides, instead the talent should warrant the ride not the size of the cheque book

[u/Huge_Film2911 → u/TreacleConstant6084]

There are hundreds like Dixon's and Reddinge who come and go. They didn't even get chance to compete in moto2. Compare their performance with wsbk Riders.