Barros to sbk

[hoffy]

I dont know if this is old news.

Barros quits Moto GP
Sun 25 Dec, 10.29am
Brazilian Alex Barros has quit MotoGP and will ride in the World Superbike Championship next season.

Barros was not satisfied with the offers he had received to stay in MotoGP, and has decided to try his luck in the Superbike class.

"I don't want to compete if I can't be a contender," Barros told the sports daily Lance. "My goal now is to be a world champion in the Superbike."

It ends a 16-year association in MotoGP/500c for the 35-year-old. During that time he won seven races, earned five pole positions and had 31 podium finishes. He was fourth in the championship on five separate occasions.
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[aardvark]

It's good to see all the old geezers finally getting the boot.

[Gosling1]

It's good to see all the old geezers finally getting the boot.

absolutely positively 100% correct - Barros has just been getting a ride now for years, without *really* earning it, he was the ultimate bridesmaid, and this really should have happened about 4 years ago

Now if we can get rid of Charlie Chucker, that will be a good clean-out, and allow some young'uns to come through the ranks......

[Neka79]

wow..i cant believe that hes been there 14 yrs...at 15-18 races a yr (changes every now & then doesnt it??) thats like 300 ish races..for 7 wins...
damn thats abt 2% conversion factor...

now if ur fave footy team was winning 2% of their matches i bet there'd b changes....

about bloody time..i agree

[hoffy]

checka is gone already, pons are out.

[mick_dundee]

I dont know if this is old news.

"I don't want to compete if I can't be a contender," Barros told the sports daily Lance.

Gotta love that statement, last time Barros was a contender Mick Doohan was still riding, get a grip man.

[mfzx6r]

Who's he racing SBK for ?????????????????????

[James]

From Crash.net

MotoGP veteran Alex Barros is said to be 'close' to signing a deal with Klaffi Honda to switch to the World Superbike championship in 2006.

According to Klaffi Honda team manager, Klaus Klaffenbock, an announcement could be made very soon.

"Alex was always on the top of my wish list for 2006," Klaffenbock told the team's official website. "He has a lot of experience and aggressiveness to cheer up his competitors in the World Superbike Championship. The deal is nearly done and I'm sure we will close it soon."

If Barros does - as now expected - move to World Superbikes, he will join fellow 2005 MotoGP riders Troy Bayliss, Ruben Xaus and Roby Rolfo who have already been confirmed in WSBK.

As such, Klaffenbock believes that the added attendance of the seven times 500cc/MotoGP race winner will actually put WSBK 'ahead' of MotoGP next season.

"By the way: With the engagement of Alex we [the WSBK championship] are just ahead!" he continued. "MotoGP has lost a lot of its attractiveness. Compared to this, the Superbike World Championship becomes more and more interesting and our team is a part of it!

"Other climbers from MotoGP are Troy Bayliss, Roberto Rolfo, Fonsi Nieto, Norick Abe, Franco Battaini, Rubens Xaus and probably Max Biaggi."

If Barros does sign for Klaffi Honda he will team up with Max Neukirchner.

[matchan]

From Crash.net

If Barros does sign for Klaffi Honda he will team up with Max Neukirchner.

Where's Frankie going then ? He used to race for Klaffi Honda last year I think ?

[mfzx6r]

From Crash.net

If Barros does sign for Klaffi Honda he will team up with Max Neukirchner.

Where's Frankie going then ? He used to race for Klaffi Honda last year I think ?

I thought Frankie was staying and Neukirchner was moving over to join Muggers taking over Chris's old spot

[matchan]

I thought Frankie was staying and Neukirchner was moving over to join Muggers taking over Chris's old spot

I think toseland has vermulens seat at ten kate. it'd be a shame to see wsb taken over by has beens from gp, I'd rather see some young guys get a go.

Matt