I agree that it takes talent, a factory bike (or alot of $ invested in a bike), and a little luck to run in the front of any Pro race nowadays. Just as lapping the slower racers is part of racing, so are the misfortunes of not having everything go exactly as you want. In my opinion the person who can fight thru adversity, still come out on top, and look back on it as though it was a challenge, has their priorities in order. Kurtis projects this attitude that he is supposed to be the winner, because of his dad accomplishments, and any looser that doesn't have a family name in racing shouldn't be there in the first place. From the very first time I ever saw an interview with him I thought that he was a stuck-up cry baby that wasn't living up to daddies expectations and has to blame someone else for standing in the way of his success due to the fact that he didn't win every race he ever entered.
I believe that even if Kurtis does win the championship that I won't ever look at him as a champion, but instead as a whiny little brat that needs to grow up and accept the fact that he is not his Dad, or his brother for that matter! The way they are talking in the media, this is the 'make or break' year for Kurtis that will determine any future advancement into WSB or MotoGP. For his sake I hope he learns some humility and doesn't throw away the opportunity he has before him. Kurtis needs to learn that it's more than just crossing the line first - it's about being a true winner that steps up to the challenges thrown at him!