I think it is a 'given' from anyone who has watched Rossi over the years that his skills are such that he can more quickly adapt to combatting opponents with superior power / tyres and then go ahead and beat them.

Hayden was champ last year - but had a better machine and a lot of luck, whereas Rossi was dogged by bad luck. Look where Hayden stands this year - in the 'also-rans'.

Stoner is very good, seems to now be able to stay on the bike and is learning quickly. Personall I think Rossi's main challenger might well turn out to be Pedrosa - something about him. I suspect too that Pedrosa will be learning more tricks from Rossi than the others.

But, for now, and some time to come, Rossi is still THE outstanding rider / strategist / psychoanalyst.

Ah, but are you a Man U supporter Val:rofl:

Good answer Lady E.................Chill out will ya?

I've been on three or four Rossi threads, all of which I think you've been involved with too........surely I must have made it totally clear that whilst I'm no fan off Rossi, I having no problem whatsoever of recognising how talented the he is (or was).

Lance

Well can the fat lady go away for a summer break now??

Rossi fans

If at the end of the season Rossi wins the title, I could come on here and admit I got it wrong and the best man won......no problem whatsoever!!!!

If someone else wins the title, would or could you do the same, or are you more likely to believe the best man didn't win because of bad luck/tyres/bike problems etc etc.

Honest answers.

Lance

Ah, but are you a Man U supporter Val:rofl:

Sorry to go off topic here but - do not support any team now. Once upon a time Man U / whoever meant a reasonably regionally sourced team.

So, Man U to me could be Benfica / Real Milan / Charlton Athletic / Celtic i.e. meaningless to call them Man U in my eyes, and to give them or any other team any allegiance.

Plus, with the money these guys are on and the following the teams have you would think someone would get to clean the game up :thumbdwn:

Well can the fat lady go away for a summer break now??

No, she's heading to a Tapas bar as we speak. Not sure if she'll be needed yet though.

You do realise that if Rossi wins the title that the fat lady will be out of work..................you lot are so heartless.

Lance

Rossi fans

If at the end of the season Rossi wins the title, I could come on here and admit I got it wrong and the best man won......no problem whatsoever!!!!

If someone else wins the title, would or could you do the same, or are you more likely to believe the best man didn't win because of bad luck/tyres/bike problems etc etc.

Honest answers.

Lance

Whoever wins the title derserves to win the title.

Hayden won last year 'cos he consistantly got the points. He's not having such luck this year.

I'd like to see Stoner do well, as it seems he's a changed man - very level headed this year.

The competition is very close this year. New machines. New tyres.

Rossi doesn't have his total dominance this year, I totally agree.

As you've said before, you don't like Rossi but you recognise he is a very talented rider................BUT...........don't write him off yet!!

I was working yesterday when the race was on, I came on here and seen the second post....and thought :( , then I looked at this thread no more until I seen the race.

Well the result speaks for itself, 3rd to 7th to 1st :orb_danci :orb_danci :orb_danci

the best man didn't win because of bad luck/tyres/bike problems etc etc.

Do you honest think if all of the above were not an issue he wouldn't be top dog, most of the paddock would be at the sharp end if they had all of those. As someone said look at Hayden, do you think that's man or a machine issue.

Just look at Rossi celebrations after the race, he still loves to win.

Btw wasn't the atmosphere electric at the end.

Btw wasn't the atmosphere electric at the end.

I had goose bumps when they played the national anthem!! The crowd drowned out the PA system!!

As already said elsewhere, I went to Mugello a few years back (yes he won then as well) and the atmosphere was indeed excellent, throughout the whole event. Infact it was a two day party, night and day.

Lance

This year is looking well interesting, and I'm thinking that the best man probably will win (with a slight reservation over variable track temperature).

Last year IMO Nicky didn't win the championship so much as Ducati and Yamaha lost it; witness how many races each of Nicky, Vale and Loris won.

Do you honest think if all of the above were not an issue he wouldn't be top dog, most of the paddock would be at the sharp end if they had all of those. As someone said look at Hayden, do you think that's man or a machine issue.

quote] Exactly:thumbup: This takes me back to my earlier statement, if the whole Motogp grid were on identical machinery, it would be a walk in the park for Rossi every weekend. And Lance, if, and its a BIG if, he doesn't win the Championship this year, i'd be happy to congratulate the rider that does.

quote] if the whole Motogp grid were on identical machinery' date=' it would be a walk in the park for Rossi every weekend.[/quote']

But they're not and it isn't. From a championship perspective the only thing that counts is points, no matter how you get them. No good being the quickest rider if your bike/team/tyres aren't up to it, or your crashing or making too many mistakes on track.

What could've or would've has no place in the end of year points tally........only what was is what counts.

No good being a boxer and winning 11 rounds only to get knocked out in the last is it?

Lance

I feel a bit sorry for Max B this year though, he was a great champion in the smaller capacities and seemed to drift out of MotoGP with barely a whimper.

On a slightly off topic note, does anyone else miss the sound of the Nortons? I remember them charging over the Mountain at Cadwell Park many years ago, a great sight and a truly great sound imho.

I remember the Norton at the TT, with Hizzy and Trevor Nation on board (not at the same time), certainly no mistaking the noise...................I'm sure it used to make my ears bleed!!

As for Biaggi, yeah it's all a bit sad really.............still it's good for the WSBK series.

Lance

Look Lance, all i'm pointing out is that Rossi has got the most talent, is the better rider, better personality blah blah, blah blah blah blah. Lady E, i agree with you on Max B, the Rossi and Biaggi battles were the best:thumbup: Though Gibernau ran him close too.

I remember watching the bikes go back up the hill to the paddock and the Nortons seemed the only ones to be able to pull away facing uphill without revving the nuts off them. Guess they must be much more tractable. Great deep barrelled noise though

I remember the Norton at the TT, with Hizzy and Trevor Nation on board (not at the same time), certainly no mistaking the noise...................I'm sure it used to make my ears bleed!!

As for Biaggi, yeah it's all a bit sad really.............still it's good for the WSBK series.

Lance

At last, we agree!!!!:P Max is doing well in the WSB Championship, if only he could get it off the line better. He always seems to fluff the starts then spends the rest of the race playing catch up. Theres certainly a few more races he could of won this year if he'd made better starts.

At last, we agree!!!!:P Max is doing well in the WSB Championship, if only he could get it off the line better. He always seems to fluff the starts then spends the rest of the race playing catch up. Theres certainly a few more races he could of won this year if he'd made better starts.

Yep, we finally agree. :eek:

It was much the same with Barros last year if my memory serves me right? Poor starts and then catch up.

Maybe the WSBK lads are a bit more agressive.

I've always thought Barros very under-rated - and frequently not given the best machines.

I feel a bit sorry for Max B this year though, he was a great champion in the smaller capacities and seemed to drift out of MotoGP with barely a whimper.

On a slightly off topic note, does anyone else miss the sound of the Nortons? I remember them charging over the Mountain at Cadwell Park many years ago, a great sight and a truly great sound imho.

Most of the people I know dislike Max B. In fact, on one of the other fora I frequent he was unanimously found guilty of "being Max Biaggi in a public place" after that time he made Suzi Perry kiss him!

And on the other subject, yes I miss the Norton rotaries. Have you found the site:-

JPS Norton - www.jpsnorton.com - The guide to when the JPS Norton's ruled UK racing - The Riders before?

Most of the people I know dislike Max B. In fact, on one of the other fora I frequent he was unanimously found guilty of "being Max Biaggi in a public place" after that time he made Suzi Perry kiss him!

And on the other subject, yes I miss the Norton rotaries. Have you found the site:-

JPS Norton - www.jpsnorton.com - The guide to when the JPS Norton's ruled UK racing - The Riders before?

Nice link Ken.

Max B. is better looking than Rossi I have to admit. I think one of his mistakes was going up against Rossi in the popularity stakes. He was fated to lose.

I'd never thought either of them was that good-looking. To me Max's problem is that he's coming across as arrogant, when Vale comes across as the sort of bloke you'd like to go down the pub with for a laugh.

And of course Farky, when he doesn't win it's due to the tyres, the weather, the food, global warming etc etc. It'd be nice to see some of the Rossi-ites recognise when he gets beat fair and square.

The season is a long one, we'll see at the end. No doubt though if Rossi loses again, there will be excuses galore.

I don't remember to many excuses from him for losing last year (ok so us fans moaned a lot), how many engine failures? a tyre de-laminating and when he fell off in the last round he did put his hands up and say that he made a mistake and he is only human.

You want excuses, then look back at little john (kocinski) ..... nut job that he is

I don't remember to many excuses from him for losing last year (ok so us fans moaned a lot), how many engine failures? a tyre de-laminating and when he fell off in the last round he did put his hands up and say that he made a mistake and he is only human.

You want excuses, then look back at little john (kocinski) ..... nut job that he is

I think we've done the 'is he, isn't he the best' thing to death now and I'm content accepting the differing opinions.

Moving away from the original thread a bit, do you reckon both Rossi & Biaggi are lifters of the shirt?

No judgement either way, just a question!!

Lance