We might not have seen the best results from the Brits when we hosted the world last week, but at least ol’Blighty will be providing the best stage for our ‘super biking’ stars of BSB at Thruxton this weekend, reckons BSB Eurosport commentator and all round charming chap James Whitham.

Indeed, while the 2023 British MotoGP certainly lived up to expectations, it was frustrated by a mood of 'better luck next year' for the plucky local contingent.

Indeed, a headline in Silverstone’s official programme for MotoGP read “British Riders Set to Thrill at Silverstone Showdown” but while the latter half of that bold statement was certainly true, it was down to the international delegation to provide the entertainment.

In fairness to Jake Dixon and Rory Skinner - lap one victims in the Moto2 race - they weren't solely responsible for being dunked into an early bath, but together with Scott Ogden fluffing his front-row start in the Moto3 race, a solid seventh for Sam Lowes in the Moto2 race made for a disappointing return from a promising beginning overall.

On the flip side, Dixon - who was biffed out by Darryn Binder - wasn't afraid to show his emotions in the aftermath.

Brought down to earth from the high of his Assen victory with a hefty thump, Dixon - believing the retirement has ruined his chances of a world title - promptly vented his fury on live TV, calling for Binder to be banned while he bounced about as though he was about to get into the boxing ring.

While it wasn't a gracious interview, it was at least emotive... but in today's climate of micro-managed media exposure, is it a look becoming of a potential MotoGP rider-in-waiting?

We couldn't possibly comment (OK, yeah we can)... but we asked a man who can

BSN:

What does James Whitham, you're a man known for controlling his emotions... what do you have to say about the outburst:

James Whitham:

"Jake is a very good rider with a real chance of getting into a MotoGP team next year. So I understand his frustration. He also is quite a character, which we’re short of,

"But he's a really decent bloke too who in the heat of the moment probably went over the top a bit this time. He generally comes across very well though.

"I think he and Taz McKenzie are our two best up-and-comers capable of going somewhere.”

BSN:

Speaking of Taz Mackenzie, he's had quite the week, hasn't he?

JW:

”Brilliant. In a way he’s done exactly the right thing. He’s had a disastrous first season in WorldSSP because, in my opinion, the bike wasn’t fit for purpose but he’s in a World Championship paddock and all he’s got to do is have three or four impressive performances and maybe he’ll end up with a better bike.

He’s in that arena with the right people - team managers, team owners - watching and they know how good he's doing on his machinery. For him to sit there in that race was taking a real risk and, even if you know as a rider that the race was going to be dry in the second half and you’re going to need slicks, staying out was a real risk.

"OK, he had a lot less to lose than others in with a title shot, but it was a real risk - I hope he’s done enough for someone to recognise that he’s got real talent. 

BSN:

Let's move onto BSB, we have the fast and furious Thruxton coming up with the title race taking shape - is it BeerMonster Ducati's to lose now?

JW:

“Well, It has been a real swing around for Paul Bird's team following a lacklustre 2022 season. This year the team has been absolutely brilliant. I think they have put a bit more effort into getting the bikes they need and Birdy seems to have piled loads of money into it too, bringing on good sponsors

"Brands Hatch was one of those pivotal rounds, especially for Tommy Bridewell. He didn't rush, do anything silly, and two wins were his reward.

“Thruxton was a Yamaha benefit last year. I think this year will be better for the Ducatis but I don’t think they’re going to clear off. They spend a lot of time on the side of the tyre and I think that favours the Yamaha a little bit. And although it is a high speed circuit it is mostly high speed leaning over. I think the racing is going to be brilliant, it always is at Thruxton.

BSN:

So do you think Tommy can win the title?

JW:

”Yeah, I'm starting to think he can. He’s not dropped the ball so often this year. We’ve criticised him in the past saying he won’t win the championship because he won’t make the passes where he needs to, or just maybe lacked a bit of that final few percent. He’s almost been too safe but this year he’s been on the attack.”

BSN:

What we also like about him is that he seems to have a sense of humour which makes him an engaging bloke...

JW:

”You don’t quite know what he’s going to say at any particular time. He’s definitely a character, he says things which he doesn’t mean at times, but he’s a bubbly character, people like him and if he does win it he’ll be a really, really popular champion.

BSN:

Where is the challenge going to come from during the second-half of the year then?

JW:

"I think it will be Glenn Irwin, but I’d love to say that Kyle Ryde is going to salvage these last couple of meetings and start winning again."

BSN:

Can we discount Jason O'Halloran and McAMS Yamaha then?

JW:

”I’ve no idea and he doesn’t really know. He was just starting to get it back and I think he would have been really quick in that last race at Brands if his gear lever didn't snap. I really like him, he’s a lovely lad.

"However, he has probably left it a bit late to form a title challenge now. Even if he came with a run of form now I don’t think it's going to be enough to win the title.

"The way the points are now it does keep them relatively close though, so we can't discount Josh Brookes or Leon Haslam.

"But for me I think it is Tommy Bridewell that remains the favourite, with a strong push from Glenn at the end."

BSN:

Switching to WorldSBK, great stuff by Toprak Razgatlioglu, Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea in Czechia...

JW:

”I also thought the racing was just brilliant helped by the circuit which is fantastic. I’ve ridden round it, never raced there but I just love the place. It’s kind of old school and I remember when we first went there with Superbikes there were a few issues.

"I remember Tom Sykes being quite vocal regarding a couple of corners with short run-offs, I think he had a point but it’s just a lovely shape with long fast flowing bends and in lovely countryside.

"The good racing was largely down to the circuit and the conditions with Johnny showing that if there was any kind of iffy condition he had what it takes."

BSN:

There were rumours that he was thinking of leaving Kawasaki and going somewhere else, maybe Yamaha? 

JW:

”I don’t know but he has got a year left on his contract as I understand it.  I’ve heard all the rumours and there are plenty flying around.

"Toprak moving to BMW, it has now prompted the reshuffle of everything and it is like fun and games in Texas where you pull a shutter out of the bottom of the first video game and everything falls down.

"Scott Redding may be on his way to one of the lower Ducati factory teams and it was said that Johnny Rea might be going to Yamaha. But it’s all rumour.

BSN:

Will Scott Redding be staying at BMW?

JW:

”Well you may know more than me. There are a lot of rumours but certainly Yamaha have to do something if they’re going to replace Toprak. And I don’t think you can replace him like-for-like. But there was some really good racing and the top three riders all had a chance.”

BSN:

The championship had looked as though it was not going to be a one-horse race for Bautista until that last corner when something happened and Toprak dropped it. What do you think it was …. a tyre had gone or he’d turned it on a bit too quick?

JW:

”I think a combination of both those things. It’s unusual for Toprak but look if you’re racing motorcycles you fall down occasionally. You just hope it doesn’t happen at those times.”

BSN:

Well, the great Bob McIntyre once said that if you don’t fall down every now and then you aren’t trying hard enough!

JW:

”Yes. But it is unusual for Toprak. He has that stickability and skill allowing him to do amazing things and get away with them. No other rider gets away with the things he does  and they are amazed that he does. It would have been nice for the championship to see Toprak win it.”

BSN:

But Bautista must again be the hot favourite favourite to win the title?

JW:

”Yes, there’s no question. I can’t see him having the run of bad luck and bad decisions he had last time when he seemed to be certain to win. This time he has more confidence, more experience and it’s his to lose.”