Aprilia out-sourced everything, and stuck their necks out pretty far. Throw into that the fact that Edwards was new to MotoGP at that time, he'd just left the superbike ranks - but I really don't think Aprilia was going anywhere. That $5,000,000 won't lease you a Suzuki now so it doesn't sound quite as impressive!

As far as Edwards and this year's Yamaha, I think he is referring to the fact that Rossi couldn't swing a leg over the bike until January 20-something as he couldn't use Bridgestones until then, and then spent a couple of tests figuring the tires out. Most of the development work fell on Edwards. Contrary to your assessment the bike is working well for all it's riders, no other factory can say that.

Gary, I understand and agree that Colin definatley had some imput into it. Like you said, he was the only experienced guy riding it before the end of Jan.

But I think there was still plenty of development from the end of January onwards. We know that Yam wanted to put extra effort into the bike this year (bringing back one of their older, big time Jap bosses), and most of that effort was directed at Rossi.

The year he switched from Honda, Rossi wasn't allowed to ride till January either. Still, he and Burgess only needed half the winter to get the bike to race winning form.

Again, I give Colin some credit (I like the guy) but you can't say the bike is his baby.


As for Aprilia, I know $5 million isn't everything... but it is a big rider sallary (again, the dollar was STRONGER than the Euro back then), and don't forget that Aprilia went bankrupt a few years later.

I don't know what the problem was, but they were using Pnumatics, fly-by wire and likely some TC from the get go. I don't think anyone else did the same.

But now they are part of the Piaggio empire, and should be back in a few years. Should be interesting to see how they do. Considering that they own 250's, we can assume they know how to make a lightweight bike handle.

Well I agree with the assessment of Dani. I believe I am right when I say "When on equal footing with equipment, most of the top riders pass him with ease". Nothing has changed so far this year that I can tell. Kudos to Edwards for helping make progress on the Yamaha. It has even more potential I think but, Yamaha may not develop it further. Especailly if Rossi starts winning a lot of races again. It is quirky at times. But recently so is the Honda.

I agree that the riders are pushing to the limits and beyond more than ever and more of them. Ever since Nicky proved Rossi is not a god. Everybody believes they have a chance now.

As for Aprilia, I know $5 million isn't everything... but it is a big rider sallary (again, the dollar was STRONGER than the Euro back then), and don't forget that Aprilia went bankrupt a few years later.

Come on you can't blame Colin if Aprilia paid him too much money. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced them to pay that much. If you think it wasn't worth it and it hurt Aprilia then you need to point the finger at whoever signed the check.

I don't know what the problem was, but they were using Pnumatics, fly-by wire and likely some TC from the get go. I don't think anyone else did the same.

They had Cosworth build the engine using Formula 1 technology which is not suited to the motorcycle application. This is the same reason Honda doesn't have their pneumatic valve engine out yet. No small wonder that they failed but maybe if they had rode it out that bike could have been competitive.

robertorolfo - 15 May 2008 04:27 AM

I don't know what the problem was, but they were using Pnumatics, fly-by wire and likely some TC from the get go. I don't think anyone else did the same.

I think, to some degree, that WAS the problem - if Honda had done the same they'd have made it work, but Aprilia simply didn't have resources to force all that new technology forward. Great ideas but undeveloped technology in motorcycle circles. I know Edwards said that when you opened the throttle you never really knew what was going to happen, and the rider can't solely cure that.

As far as development of this year's Yamaha, I think, and may be wrong, that they have been using the same chassis since Rossi has been able to test. If that is the case it was developed by Edwards. Everything since certainly involves Rossi's input, and I'm in no was denigrating Rossi. I still think he's the best rider, and probably development rider, in the series (f not the world.