20% Bike… 40% Crew Chief?
[by Jules]Tuesday, October 11th, 2005 at 8:02 amIt’s a much vaunted topic; that in motorcycle racing the rider is 80% of the package whilst the bike contributes just 20%. The numbers of course vary, but the concept remains. It begs the question: Why are the skills of the teams, engineers, crew chiefs, and related entourage rarely examined? Their impact and ultimate contribution to race wins and world titles can hardly be disputed.
Rossi’s chief, Jeremy Burgess, receives more admiration for his work than most of his peers. It’s interesting to note Colin’s response when asked whether the chance to work with Burgess was a lure for him to join Yamaha.
“I don’t necessarily work with Jeremy. We talk, we chat, we drink a few beers together. Information is shared amongst our crews. As far as me working directly with JB, that’s non-existent. We’ll talk things around about what Valentino’s feeling, what I’m feeling and if we’re feeling the same thing. It’s good. JB, I think he gets a bad wrap some times for always going with the best guy in the world, but he knows what the hell he’s talking about. He’s there because of what he knows.”
The agonising setup demands of MotoGP machinery test the crews’ ability to think and act quickly. Fettling a 250hp machine into a sweet handling, user friendly and most importantly predictable motorcycle in just five short sessions prior to raceday is an enormous task. My hat is doffed to these guys’ skill; they’re winning the championships too.
October 11th, 2005 at 10:04 pm
Great point. You remember I was saying something similar in my “Rossi wins 5th crown” after China (heh)
We can’t forget Burgess who has built an incredible tech team. Burgess may pick to work with the best riders but Valentino was the one who said he’d only go to Yamaha if JB would be coming along.
October 11th, 2005 at 11:24 pm
I wonder if Colin would do better equipped with Rossi’s team and not just his bike. Or if he’s JASBR (Just Another Superbike Rider)
October 14th, 2005 at 11:11 am
Impossible to say, stating the obvious here but unless bike, team and rider is giving 100% they might as well go home. There isn’t anybody in MotoGP that gives as much as Rossi..this is why he is unbeaten. Not so sure about the teams. Rossi and his team mould together, just like his bike. But one without the other? then maybe they would be buggered. Rossi needs to go solo, ditch his team, ditch Uccio, and then he can really prove it is 100% rider!