Your 2005 WSBK Top 10?

[BootsOntheSide]

With another season over, much mroe competitive than the alst 2 years and with several different winners, which riders shone the most. My list:

1 Vermeulen - by far the fastest Honda, dominant in the last few rounds, and confirming his status as a major MotoGP prospect.

2 Haga - When the bike was good, he was very good. By midseason, he'd helped make it great, and he rode great as well. Probably 2006 title favourite right now

3 Corser - Did everything required of him to put the Foggy years behind him and claim a second title.

4 Walker - Dragged that Kawasaki around superbly, even when riding injured

5 Lanzi - The new Italian superstar, who after a shaky start really shone on the Caracchi bike before getting a big chance

6 Toseland - Did reasonably well under the circumstances, but the reality is that he's not the best of the current field

7 Neukirchner - Crashed a bit too often to challenge, but was often faster than Chili and is clearly an excellent prospect

8 Kagayama - Suzuki's early-season dominance flattered him a little, but he was generally impressive on circuits he didn't know

9 Pitt - Another star of the future, making excellent starts in particular. He won't need to fall back on his accounting degree for a while

10 Martin - Rode the wheels off the Foggy bike and made McCoy look strangely ordinary

[ATF]

I'd agree with that except for a couple of things. Vermeulen would have been #1 but his start of the season was disappointing. I'd put Corser top as he was outstandingly consistent and could have done so much more if he had needed to. He controlled the championship once he was in front and it shows that experience counts for a lot, a thoroughly deserved championship!

[pink69]

1 - Corser. Did all the hard work at the beginning of the year and everyone else had to play catch up. Never had the luxury of traction control like other bikes yet still maintained a position at the top end of the field.

2 - Vermulen. Was sniffing around the top 3 most of the year but couldnt touch Corser. Came good when the bike improved and would have pushed Corser harder had he had the bike under him at the start of the year.

3 - Haga. New bike meant early trouble but anyone who can come from 17th to first on a developng bike deserves credit. Sensational mid / late season, contender for 2006 if he continues his late season form, more front tyre slides please!

4 - Walker. Challenged works / semi works bikes on near street bike and beat them several times.

5 - Toseland. Glimpses of 2004 form but disappointing year as a whole. Alot of bad fortune.

6 - Laconi. Injury ruined season but put in some good results throughout altho not a real title contender. Won races.

7 - Lanzi. Showed what he could do on works ride, dark horse for title tilt next year.

8 - Kagayama. Good early and end of season form, nowhere in between tho

9 - Pitt. Not really on Haga's pace often enough, didn't help matters by wiping him out at Magny Cours. Potential to be consistant top 5

10 - Neukirchner. Showed potential to develop into decent rider. Needs to fall off less or he'll turn into the new Xuas!

[N I Tram]

1 Corser (similar to Alonso really - built a lead when he had the chance and then protected it)
2 Vermeulen (should be great in MotoGP)
3 Haga (another awesome season)
4 Walker (surely the best season of Chris' career so far, and the most surprising frontrunner)
5 Kagayama (not as good as Corser, but how many rookies would be?)
6 Neukirchner (stand-out rookie of the year, will go far)
7 Lanzi (tough start, but really deserved a chance on the works bike)
8 Toseland (ahead of Regis as he didn't crash as much - lucky to land on a top bike)
9 Pitt (great starts slightly flattered a merely abnove-average season)
10 Chili (Fast when he had the chance)