jwfzr

I think they will probably come from 125, 250 gp. Steve Bonsey is the only American in those two classes right now. He's only been roadracing about 6 months and is improving quickly. He is Kenny Sr.s Protege. The kid was a phenom flat tracker and Kenny Sr. spotted him and helped him out. Wish they would televise the 125s.

GixxerPete

I think it might be awhile before we see another American GP champ. American riders have (almost) always been at a disadvantage in making the transition to GPs. European riders come up on 125s and 250s, and learn the high corner speed style of riding those bikes, which translates to the 800cc GP bikes as well. American riders come up on Superbikes which are heavy and need a sliding, point and shoot style of riding which doesn't work on the 800s (just ask Nicky).

Plus the Euro riders on 125/250s ride the same tracks as the GPs so they get a lot of track time before moving up to GPs, American riders have to learn the tracks as well as adapt to a new bike and new riding style.

That said, given a competitive package, I still think Nicky has the potential to win it again. Hopper? I'd like to think so, but haven't seen it yet. We'll see what happens with his move to Kawasaki. Then there's Spies... we may have to wait another year to find out if he can hang or not.

late apex

I think the transition can be made from superbike to GP without going through the two stroke series. As traction coontrol trickles down to the production ranks we will inevitably see higher corner speed in production based racing.

The key to finding the next American champion is for the right guy to spot him young and get behind his career. Then said young man/woman must keep their head screwed on right while maintaning a passion for being the best. This is a hard combination to find.

Buckwheat

Especially given the fact that those coming from the GP 125 & 250 ranks have a knowledge and experience advantage from the tracks on the circuit (Kinda like Hayden dominating Laguna Seca for 2 years). Makes it hard not to get discouraged.

jwfzr

Thats why I'm really hoping that Stevie Bonsey stays with it. He'll probably be on the 125 another season and hopefully on to the 250. Plus there are some really good U.S kids riding that redbull deal.

Motophotog

We have no one to blame but ourselves. THere are a few local kids that would love to race and get track time, but in our lovely american "ugh oh, dont want our kids to get a boo boo" society, kids have to be like 16 before they can get on the track. In the mean time some kid in spain has been racing for ten years. I hope to see lil Alvarez or Beach make it someday.

tokin

WMRRA, I got money on Mario's family.