Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127754
Why not Miguel? Having followed the AMA Superbike Championship closely, and having attended five races, it's obvious that Miguel DuHamel was the cream of the crop this year. His dominance was an impressive achievement. Which leaves me with a puzzling question which hopefully you can answer. Why so much interest from foreign teams (World Superbike and Grand Prix) in Mike Hale and seemingly much less in DuHamel? After all, if anyone in the AMA Series has proven himself ready for the next level, it's DuHamel. For some reason, however, Hale's services seem much more coveted overseas. Is it his age? I know DuHamel is older, but not that much older. Besides, DuHamel has previous overseas experience whereas Hale, aside from Suzuka, doesn't have that experience. lf I'm the team manager for Promotor Ducati and [ want someone to come on to my team and make an immediate impact in World Superbike, I would definitely choose DuHamel over Hale at this point in time. This is nothing against Hale, whom everyone agrees is a future champion. But competing throughout the season on identical equipment, DuHamel has proven himself to be the better rider. lf the plan were to keep Hale on the Promotor team for the next five years, [ could understand that. In five years, DuHamel will be close to retirement age wheras Hale will be in his racing prime. But what is likely to happen is that Hale will spend a year or two in World Superbike, then jump to GPs. So why not go with a guy who is more prepared to win now and doesn't need as much time to acclimate to a higher level? A guy like DuHamel. [ don't get it. so any explanation would be appreciated. Randy Renner rrschwantz@aoI.com DuHamel, like Hale, was courted by international racing teams, but on a less-publi" cized level. DuHamel, though, didn't seem as hell-bent as Hale on heading overseas. Promotor Ducati has plans to venture into Grand Prix racing - at which time they'll also take Hale. Whether right or wrong, age is a factor with these teams when they draw up their rider wish lists... Editor. RM questions Have you had much time on either of the new RMs? If so, what's the scoop? Do you know of any bugs with the new 250? Any information would be helpful. David Manning dmanning@comp.uark.edu Check out last week's issue (Issue #43, November 1) for a full test on the RM125. As flilr the RM250, we are scheduled to ride it for the first time on November 21. A test will follow shortly thereafter... Editor. Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 310/427-6685 or e-mail, editor@cyclenews;com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. W" VIDEO RELEASES Now Available Through Cycle News Video Theater MI-POSED: The Video #2 (#60A) MX·Posed: The Video Series combines a variety of magazine-style segments geared to entertain, train and excite the motocross enthusiast. . .. Just released is the second video in the series (Volume 1, Issue #2). ThiS edition features a personality profile on Steve Lamson and introduces a brand-new segm~nt with Rick Johnson in which he interviews Damon Bradshaw. The program also delves Into suspension setup and contains great highlights of the AMA National MX rounds at Gainesville, Florida and Sacramento, California, and the NMA World Mini Grand Prix from Las Vegas, Nevada. This footage is set to newly composed, high-energy music performed by Mark Erik. 47 minutes from MX-Posed Video. ~ !Xl I-< Q) S Q) ::> o Z 5