In the 90's we were trying to get engines to rev over 10,000rpm. There were still crashes then but not as many serious ones that we are experiencing now. Todays engine can achieve 18000RPM but is restricted to 13500RPM. I'd have to ask the question why would an engine tuner build a motor that cannot be used to its full potential. For me the bore size should be limited which would mean a longer stroke to get to 500cc & in turn this would reduce the RPM to a usable level. The short stroke engine has not made the sport any faster as the list of track records will support only a fraction of a second each time it is reset in most cases & less than a second over a 25 year spread. The short stroke motor has made the sport more about who can hold on the longest & who is prepared to take the biggest risk rather than the best control & skill set

I very much doubt he is.

Pedersen has done fine in my opinion, got 7 from 4 rides last night at an away track, he isn't a Nagel but he has done ok. Mario should be better but his problem maybe mechanical and his equipment when riding for his country is obviously a lot better.

Think bangs needs to be given time to find form.  They could be viewing him as a longer term project

Most of Mario’s problems this year haven’t been equipment related its the fact he can only ride the track when it’s slick (would have been ok at Scunthorpe last night as that was ridiculously slick).  When he’s visiting every track for the first time he’s going to be always behind the 8 ball to start with.  If he takes on advise from the experienced riders in Bomber, Kyle and Leon every meeting be that home or away he could start getting into the points on a regular basis at reserve. Was good to see Sam mixing it last night especially as used the inside to get past a few Scorpions rather than his customary outside line only approach. I can’t work out the rolling averages as never know the score that’s getting replaced by the current meeting but it must be getting very close for Bomber to lose his number 1 race position 

Yes agree but he is doing it in both leagues so personally I think he isnt doing it on purpose, maybe mechanical.