Estoril MotoGP: Alex Barros says electronics are taking away rider skill

Veteran Brazilian Alex Barros believes that sophisticated electronics are now diminishing the influence that rider talent currently has in the MotoGP world championship.

The D’Antin Ducati rider, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Estoril GP in Portugal, said the huge advances in electronics was having a negative impact in MotoGP.
His comments echo those recently of FIM president Vito Ippolito and seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi.

In a recent interview in Misano, Rossi told MCN that electronics were harming MotoGP as a spectacle, and Barros said: “The difference from when I rode in MotoGP in 2005 is now the bikes have a lot of electronics. In the past with less electronics the rider was able to make the difference, but right now it neutralises it a little bit. Maybe Ducati, Yamaha and Honda have to talk about this for the future.”

 Barros is still waiting on a decision about his future, with several riders including Briton Chaz Davies being linked with a place in the Spanish-based D’Antin squad.
Barros said he was hoping to have a decision on 2008 at next weekend’s Twin Ring Motegi race in Japan.

Meanwhile, one of the men hotly tipped to join D’Antin has said his future is still not secured.

Last year’s Estoril GP winner Toni Elias said: “My manager is working a lot but I can’t say anything, it is still too early. Maybe after this race I will know more about my future. I confident I will have a bike for next year but now I’m just concentrating on this weekend.”