After a few tests on the M1, Ellison does seem to be having problems with the bike. I have to admit, part of me expected (hoped?) that once he was off the WCM and onto a quicker bit of kit he would be in the mix a little more. Then again, these are just pre-season tests and nothing really matters until the green light at Jerez.

I'd still be pleased to see him beat Checa at the official test in Barcelona in a couple of weeks though. :lol:

So what do people think - just taking a while to get to grips with the new bike, or a sign of things to come?

he's been saying for the last 6 months in performance bikes mag that if he had a decent bike he would be a legend.
he even said he could have been better than shakey was on the rcv
i would like him to do well, but checa got on his bike and whooped him by 2 seconds!
i wish him all the best but the forecast aint looking too good!

Ello mate, good to have you here. :)

From what I've heard, if he doesn't get a bit more competitive sharpish he might not be in the team for much longer, with possibly McWilliams taking his seat at Tech3. Like you'd I'd be pleased to see him do well, but the first person you're racing is your teammate and when he's that much faster...

Frankly I'll be 100% behind any Brit in the GP class, just the thought of having one on a competitive bike's a big improvement. :lol:

I'd love to see James doing better, I think the pressure will be on him at Catalunya and he would need to to perform much better. He has been saying that he's adapting his style to the yam so let's see, he's a great pilot for sure. But McWilliams on a Yam, that would be very interesting. I know Jeremy, ( I'm from Belfast ) and have always said that I would love to see him on a competitive bike, I have a feeling that Checa wouldn't be 2 secs quicker than Jezza.

Paul

I remember a few occasions last year when the Eurosport commentators mentioned James' seriously impressive cornering speed on the WCM, he is certainly no slouch. It looks like it'll all come down to how quickly he can get the hang of the M1 though, potential or not.

The rumours at the moment are that Davide Checa (rather than McWilliams) could be joining his brother at Tech3. Not that I have anything against the bloke, but it will be pretty disappointing if there isn't single Brit on the grid. :(

Didn't mean for one second to sound anti- Ellison, if I'm honest McWilliams is too old to be worth the investment which is a pity. I hope that James rides the wheels off the thing which going by his performance on the WCM will put him close to or in the top ten.
We really don't neeed another bloody spaniard on the grid but unfortunately for us thats the MotoGP politic.


Paul

Assuming James does at least get a couple of races on the Tech3 M1 to prove himself, he will at least have had a fair chance at it. With both of the IRTA tests and a couple of race weekends, as well as the time he's had on the bike so far, that's a fair bit of track time and as much as I'd like to see him do well, I think if he can't be matching or beating Checa after that long then it gets harder to justify his place in the team.

On the other hand, it's not as if the WCM he rode last year was anywhere near the M1 he's now riding. When 250cc riders move up, the general expectation is that they will have a season to get into the swing of things and then really perform at their best. I'm not saying it's as big a change from the WCM, but in this sense the switch must be a lot easier for Checa who is far more used to a top level GP bike.

i think it will be very hard for james at the coming test. checa is at home- and will no doubt be using the stickies to do well in his attempt to win the bmw.
should be a good learning process though. maybe 12-15th position? i really hope so!

Well how about that! Fourth place, quicker than Checa, and in the lead for half of the session. Admittedly the conditions were a big factor, but still, nicely done!

The new Tech3 paintjob's looking good, too.