You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
FEATURE<br />
the landscape was very different.<br />
Castrol Honda and Colin<br />
Edwards won the title at Imola<br />
in one of the most talked about<br />
races in recent history, and if<br />
you’d said then that the big ‘H’<br />
would have only five wins in the<br />
last five years you’d have been<br />
taken for a fool.<br />
Ultimately resources were spent<br />
in MotoGP and other projects<br />
but now, finally, Honda are ready<br />
to once again invest in WorldS-<br />
BK and to try and win big. But it<br />
will take time. The Fireblade has<br />
left much to be desired since the<br />
new model was introduced. However<br />
going forward this could be<br />
the start of something big. Honda<br />
will win again in WorldSBK<br />
but it would be a shock if this<br />
occurs in 2019. This season is<br />
almost certain to be a learning<br />
year for the Moriwaki-run effort,<br />
where Honda evaluate the championship.<br />
As the term progresses<br />
they should make some strong<br />
steps forward.<br />
BMW on the other hand looks<br />
the part, has a brand new bike<br />
that looks to be fast and have<br />
invested heavily. Tom Sykes is<br />
the headline signing but don’t<br />
underestimate their technical investments<br />
with Pete Benson and<br />
Pete Jennings as crew chiefs.<br />
Benson is a multiple Grand Prix<br />
world championship winning<br />
technician, and they don’t come<br />
cheap. The Shaun Muir Racing<br />
partnership is an interesting one<br />
and one that can succeed.
Change language