It's all over for the rear gunner..............he's had his day and is now being outclassed on a regular basis.

No, can't agree with you on that mate, :rotz: Vale is finding it harder this season for sure, but I think the problems seem to be tyre related more than mental.

Look at the qualifing times this season. I will wait untill the end of the last race to judge whether he has passed his prime.

.

Foz

Unfortunately qualifying means zilch, it's the race that counts.

You'll probably know from previous posts that I'm not a great fan of Rossi, however I'm not foolish enough to discount him just yet. He does seem to deliver when it's stacked against him.

Nonetheless, it's seems pretty clear that his days of total dominance are over and rather than him being past his best, I think the others have now caught up, or in the case of Stoner, just as good or better.

Makes for better racing dontcha think?

Tyres seem to be playing a big game this season. Unfortunately for Rossi, he's had the wrong ones. Don't think he's had his day yet though.

Really felt for Edwards at Le Mans. Thought he was gonna do good after his pole.

Stoner seems to be doing everthing right at the moment.

Does make for better racing, but the fat lady ain't sang yet!!

Jon

Your right, but if you listen really carefully you can hear her clearing her throat.

I'm with you Re: Edwards, I'd love to see him win one..........I've always been a fan of his, even in the WSBK series.

Lance

Foz

Unfortunately qualifying means zilch, it's the race that counts.

You'll probably know from previous posts that I'm not a great fan of Rossi, however I'm not foolish enough to discount him just yet. He does seem to deliver when it's stacked against him.

Nonetheless, it's seems pretty clear that his days of total dominance are over and rather than him being past his best, I think the others have now caught up, or in the case of Stoner, just as good or better.

Makes for better racing dontcha think?

Hi Lance, qualifying isn't everything, but does have its place I think.

Agree about the total dominance & much better racing, on edge of my seat on Sunday.

(how Vale avoided that accident was pure class :eek: .)

Nice to find someone who although not agreeing with anothers opinion, will accept they have a different point of view & discus their points in a reasoned manner. :D

Have to concur about Stoner, a changed man from last season!!

cheers mate.

.

Did any of you watch the 2007 North West 200 over the weekend...........excellent racing, but very very scary.

Bodes well for the TT though.

Foz, ditto the reasoned debate.

I don't think there's anything proven except that Vale's days of total domination are over, yet.

Give Casey one tyre or engine failure next race, and he's behind again.

No way is Rossi finished, he just needs some tyres of equal quality to the opposition. His bike control in a couple of places on Sunday, was noting short of sensational

Lady E

So if the circuit is the right one, the tyres are right, the bike is right and the others have problems then Rossi will win...................Sounds likes your talking about Sean Emmett.

Agree that quality doesn't fade away, however it does shine brighter if those around you are less capable. He's starting to dim a little now, not because he's any less talented, but because he's now up against better competition.

Lance

Did any of you watch the 2007 North West 200 over the weekend...........excellent racing, but very very scary.

.

Yep- absolutely amazing seeing the differences in speeds along straights, braking points and corner speeds - seemed that the small matter of 30 metres could be caught up in one decent braking maneuvre ... followed by stuffing the other rider down a slip road :eek:

Lady E

So if the circuit is the right one, the tyres are right, the bike is right and the others have problems then Rossi will win...................Sounds likes your talking about Sean Emmett.

Agree that quality doesn't fade away, however it does shine brighter if those around you are less capable. He's starting to dim a little now, not because he's any less talented, but because he's now up against better competition.

Lance

I think its more about the machinary under him. The only reason himself and Edwards were at the front after qualifying was due to the qualifying tyres....they were Nowhere before that.

Look at the speed differences between Rossi & Stoner on the straights, its no wonder Rossi is having accidents as he's pushing way past the limits of the bike trying to reduce the gap.

Put Rossi & Stone on the same bike and it would be a different story.

Put Rossi & Stone on the same bike and it would be a different story.

Absolutely. Rossi is handicapped more than his main rivals at the moment. But given the same machines for the whole season and the Doctor would defiantly win

I tend to agree that Vale is having to over-ride his bike (& is probably the only one who could get so much out of it, Look where the other Yamaha's are finishing !!).

But I really hope that he gets some quality tyres soon , so that we will get a great fight for the title over the rest of the season.

.

P.S. Remember it's the WSBK this weekend. Go J T

I even forgive Vale for having WLF on his leathers.

Mmmmm, go back 2 years and the Rossi fans were talking how good he was at riding around problems and that he'd win on anything.

Fact remains, for whatever reason, he's getting beaten and his smugness is no more..........even his group of hangers on seemed to have deserted him.

You Rossi-ites need to move on, his had his day.

In all seriousness, I know he'll have wins through this season and I'll be eating humble pie...................but he is on the slippery slope.

Perhaps he can follow Biaggi and become pals with Troy Corser.

In all seriousness, I know he'll have wins through this season and I'll be eating humble pie...................but he is on the slippery slope.

Perhaps he can follow Biaggi ........

Rossi follow Biaggi

I'm sorry, but when did Vale ever follow Biaggi :eek: :rofl:

.

I'm sorry, but when did Vale ever follow Biaggi :eek: :rofl:

.

It has happened, but only cos Vale wanted a rest, and to add some drama to the last quarter of the race with a "when will he humiliate Max this time?" question!!

Did any of you watch the 2007 North West 200 over the weekend...........excellent racing, but very very scary.

Bodes well for the TT though.

Foz, ditto the reasoned debate.

I saw this, some excellent racing. The speed they they were picking up getting a tow down the straight was nuts. Was it Plater who had is back wheel on the curb through the chicane? :eek:

P.S. Remember it's the WSBK this weekend. Go J T

Jaysus that was some last round

Mmmmm, go back 2 years and the Rossi fans were talking how good he was at riding around problems and that he'd win on anything.

Theres only so much "riding around you can do"

Fact remains, for whatever reason, he's getting beaten and his smugness is no more..........even his group of hangers on seemed to have deserted him.

You Rossi-ites need to move on, his had his day.

I don't think so......he still has a few years in him yet .

I think Lance is having a mid life crisis. He

I shall return to this debate and some banter late on 3rd June after Rossi gets defeated on home turf.

Until then............Ciao

I think Lance is having a mid life crisis. He