Vo Knows

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed some American riders get a shot at World Superbike next season. With Texas Terror Ben Spies leaving a year early to go to GPs – a smart decision if you ask me – and John Hopkins getting hurt up for the umpteenth time, the series now desperately needs an American in it. And while he’s still under contract from Yoshimura Suzuki for 2010, my vote is Blake Young. He’s young, hungry and has already proved he can run with the likes of Mat Mladin and Josh Hayes in his first year on a Superbike. When was the last rider that was able to do that? If I recall, it was some kid called 'Elbowz'.

Now you may be quick to point out that he did get a shot earlier in the season, but what most don’t know is that he was thrown onto the bike halfway through a leisurely European vacation with his mention Kevin Schwantz, having no idea he was going to ride. They had to specially make him leathers and fly over helmets from Japan just so he could ride, as the deal came together less than a week before the race. And while he didn’t fare well, how much can you really expect? Give the talented youngster a couple test days and some time to get to know his team, and I can guarantee the results will surprise everyone.

And while Young may have another year left in his American contract, I’d put my money on himself or Josh Hayes as the title contenders, after which they should both hightail it overseas and see what the rest of the world has to offer. What’s the worst that could happen? They end up back in AMA?

So, MotoUSA readers, what do you think? Should the top U.S. riders stay racing in the AMA or do everything they can to go overseas?