Didn't find a threat like this (After 3mins of search so I could be wrong) so I made one.

I've watched every 250cc race this season and I'd say that following drivers could definetly have potential for MotoGP

1. Mika Kallio - Well, I he's just amazingly fast, good tactician, can make great recoveries, never gives up and can safe the bike from difficult situations. But most importantly, he's CONSISTENT, hardly ever makes critical mistakes. Has finished every race this season in top 5, except when the bike failed, taking 3 wins.

2. Yuki Takahashi - Didn't expect him? Well, think again! He's driving a Honda, which definetly isn't the best bike on the grid, but he's still finishing amazingly high on almost every race. Also, very consistent driver and successfully battles with the superior Aprilias and KTM's without complaining. (Not that I've heard )
Anyway, I feel like he could be a good choice for any MotoGP team, better than Bautista I reckon.

There are some more too, like maybe Marco Simoncelli, but on him, we have to have a big MAYBE. His moves sometimes seem very hazard, we've seen strange and dangerous line changes on straights and of course the odd overtake in the last race.
Alvaro Bautista has shown nothing except a nice amount of pole-positions. He just lacks consistency and the final push to become a top-level driver.


Agree? Disagree? Your opinons? Who do you think deserves a Moto GP ride?

I agree with Kallio , he is fast consistent like you said he can be competitive even if he far beyond 3d grid, like he did last race in Donington, i like how he manage to take evry chance he might get to take over or even win a race in the last lap.

I like Simoncelli too i would want to see him in GP but he might need some experience yet , these riders are the future of GP imo.

SPIES FOR THE WIN

Sorry I can't really comment on the 250's as I haven't really the knowledge of these guys. I used to watch when Lorenzo and Dovinsioso was in it. But I have lost touch this season because our coverage is getting messed up.

We had a thread about this a little while ago:

http://www.powerslide.net/forum/Future-rid...772#entry129772

But still worth more discussion.

First off there is the matter of # of seats available. At present I don't think anyone has given a hint as to wanting to retire or move to a new series next year. Right now its just speculation of people moving around on teams. Aspar are definitely very interested in running a single bike team in GP next year or perhaps the year after, and have hinted at having Bautista as a rider. Besides that there hasn't been any real talk of moving anyone up from 250 anytime soon that I have read.

Kallio is fast and consistent, seems to be very focused as he very rarely makes mistakes/crashes. That said he is not as a spectacular rider to watch as he doesn't hang it out there like Simoncelli or Barbara does.

Simoncelli seemed to come out of no where this year and he is actually keeping it on two wheels. Clearly he is fast and seems to be the only guy that can match Bautista's speed, but he still makes a few mistakes here are there (ie - Donny this year, 2nd to last lap pass that pushed Bautista back and gave the race to Kallio).

Takahashi, you may say his Honda sucks but Dovi did well enough on it last year to pick up a few wins and 2nd in the overall. I'm not discounting Yuki but the Honda may be inferior to the Aprillia/KTM's but I don't think its a huge disadvantage. His only selling point is his nationality, Japanese. Moto GP will always have a Japanese rider in the grid, and until Nakano leaves or another Japanese comes up that is fast and deserving (sorry but Yuki isn't a title contender in 250, right now he is 8th in points, Aoyama actually is doing better in 6th this year), then I don't see any Japanese rider other then Nakano.

Others:

Debon - fast and consistent this year but I believe he is around 32 years old, doubtful he will get Moto GP ride.

Barbara - fast as well, but he pulls some stupid moves often and hasn't proved he can win races.

Pasini - one of my favorite riders and he has had a great rookie season in 250, but he will need a few more years to mature and there is doubt over his strength to ride big bore bikes due to a past injury.

Kallio
Sack Nakano off and have Aoyama as the token Japanese. Don't know who they'd ride for though.
No one else yet.

I agree with the Kallio votes, for the reasons noted above. I'd like to see Bautista not only because I feel he deserves it, rough edges and all, but also because it'd be interesting to have him and Lorenzo on the same grid again.

I'd love to see Pasini on a motogp bike... hes exciting to watch and a bit of a daredevil.

Wander, I reckon Yuki Takahashi, he is absolutely a hard work rider, never give up and he is indeed a fast one. I always like his style in the corner and his inferior bike doesn't make him making excuses if he lost a battle. IMO, he could end in JiR Honda MotoGP next season and Andrea Dovizioso moves to Repsol Honda.

mop head Simoncelli on a ducati would be good

Yap, I forgot say that, even tough he is butcher in the field, but he is a damn fast... his hair reminds me Mr. Satan on Sung Go Kong Cartoon. :-)

Hahaha, token Japanese - that is too funny, also true.

Anyway, I'd say Kallio for same reasons mentioned above or Pasini but strength etc. rarely watch 250's because of work so not in the best position to comment.

In my opinion,Kallio and maybe Pasini,hasn't Pasini had trouble with his bike a couple of races?
I follow Kallio mostly and hope he would go to Ducati in the future.He has said that he wishes to do so anyway.I haven't followed Bautista,Debon,Simoncelli so i have no opinion on them.

mark my words, kalio wont cut it in motogp. the competition will be way too hot. especially if he gets a factory ride like HRC, where he would be expected to podium ever race. he will be like nicky where he would struggle to be mid pack.

What kind of injury did Pasini have that would keep him from performing on a big bike? He seems to be a wee bit bigger than the other 250 guys when I see him on the podium....

he had a serious motorcross accident years ago, don't know the specifics but he had severe nerve damage in one of his arms, which hampers his upper body strength. many believed that he'd never be able to race anything bigger than 125, but he aint doing too bad a job this year.

yeah ya know I was thinking the same thing the other day. I like this guy but I really hope he can handle the Ducati if he gets a ride. I just think he will come over next year. However if he does I hope he is the Italian to go fast on a Ducati.

From my point of view there are 4 rides available (unless contracts prove me wrong). West, Guintoli, Elias and Melandri are all surely under watch and maybe Edwards also. The 250 class is only one of the feeder series to motogp. Spies although he would want to remain with Suzuki will likely take a ride next year with anyone that offers. CV is talking to Yamaha. Edwards is talking to Kawi. I'm hoping the grid will be rejuvenated with new young blood next year.

Yeah, I think it might not be be easy for everyone to get a bike to drive in MotoGP next year.

About Aoyama, I think he seems quite fine too, but he's been a bit overshadowed by Kallio this year.

I would have mentioned Pasini too, but I feel like it's just not going to happen due to his injury. I have a feeling he's going to stay in 250cc for the following years. Not a bad driver at all though.

But yeah, 250cc isn't the only place where MotoGP drivers come from... I heard a rumour that Max Biaggi was considering returning to MotoGP too...

anyone that stands 5ft or shorter

I don't think that any of the 250cc riders should move up into the big class next year but I think we will be seeing Kallio, Bautista, Simonchelli and Pasini (if his arm is strong enough) in the top class in 2010/2011.