BRAVE OR FOOLISH?

The news that Cal Crutchlow was quitting the Tech3 Yamaha camp was not, in itself, a big story. He had been publicly voicing his dissatisfaction with his future prospects with the Japanese factory for some time.

It was the move to Ducati which made the headlines. As if Crutchlow should feel honoured to be even considered by the iconic Italian brand.

Let's get real. Crutchlow has been outstanding this year, confounding the doubters of which there were more than a few. Ducati, on the other hand, have been underwhelming, continuing their run of form which started with the romantic creation of the dream Rossi/Ducati team.

So, brave or foolish?

It is a gamble, no doubt about it. Who is to say that Crutchlow can succeed where Hayden, Rossi and, to a degree, Dovisiosi, have largely failed. But what is the alternative?

Crutchlow thinks he can be world champion. And why not (forgetting for a moment a kid called Marquez)? And confined to being number three or four, with the arrival of Esparago, at Yamaha was not an attractive option.

So it is certainly not foolish but undoubtedly brave and entirely characteristic of the 2009 World Supersport Champion. He is a ballsy rider in the win it or bin it mould and may just be the man that Ducati need.

But first of all they need to fix the machinery. Something designed around Stoner was clearly not suited to He Who Walks On Water and the marketing departments dream quickly dissolved into a nightmare.

Crutchlow will have been promised the earth, and no doubt rewarded reasonably handsomely, and one might expect, with the sports pedigree of Ducati and Audi at risk, a competitive piece of kit might emerge. Perhaps the efforts of Dorna to slow down technical advancement will help.

Since the announcement of the deal, Crutchlow has gone out of his way to be nice to his former employers which is probably the right thing to do although not entirely in character and probably not what he felt. He is not exactly the stuff of which PR dreams are made and has the endearing habit of failing to engage brain before opening trap - endearing that is to journalists but not to company public relations managers.

But he says it as he sees it which is refreshing in these days of management control and PR spin. He is a great British rider, the best we have and good luck to him. Go to Silverstone and give him a cheer.

RESCUE AT HAND

Talking of Silverstone, the rumour at last weekend's World Superbike round was that a deal was nearing completion to bring in a major investor. Circuit owners, the British Racing Drivers Club, have been in discussions for more than a year with various potential partners/investors including, at one stage, the Qatar Investment Authority, owners of Harrods and much else.

None came to conclusion while, all the time, the circuits debt to its banks was rising. The ambitious plans to build hotels, a business park etc., have had to be put on hold pending new funds arriving.

It was obvious at the WSB event that costs were being cut - indeed Silverstone tried desperately hard to get out of the event - and the old pits, rather than the grotesque wing, were used which was a relief to all. MotoGP will use the same facilities.

The contract for World Superbikes expired this year - it is a certainty it will not return - and next year will be the last, under the present contract, for MotoGP. As Silverstone has lost money on both these events recently, there may be no great enthusiasm among the chaps at BRDC to renew.

But where, then, do they go. Sadly World Superbikes seems to have lost its appeal to British fans - the Silverstone crowd was tiny - and Dorna wants too much money to be entertained by either Brands Hatch or Donington.

Apparently Dorna chief Ezpeleta sees the as yet unfunded and unbuilt circuit in Wales as an option. Well, they do say that desperation is the mother of invention.

WHO IS THE GREATEST WHAT?

In his recent exposition in Bikesport News detailing the "greatest riders" Eurosport commentator and fantasist Jack Burnicle included one Vic Allan in his list. Now who am I to judge on Vic's position among the all-time greats - he was certainly one of Britain's great motocross riders - but his brother Robbie has a unique achievement which Mr Burnicle might have considered.

Robbie Allan competed with distinction in the Scottish Six Days Trial, the Isle of Man TT and the Paris to Dakar Rally, the latter when over 60!

Sadly, Robbie is now seriously ill with cancer. But which other rider could boast such a list. It is an achievement which deserves to be recognised. What a man.

The opinions of Lone Wolf are entirely his own and not necssarily those of this website or its editor.