| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
Rossi has and does make mistakes, but it's his relentless pursuit no matter the obstacles the befall him that help cement his reputation which separates him from all the rest. And Rossi has one other advantage that I'm surprised more riders don't follow. He works REALLY hard in the garage as well as on the track, and is constantly striving for perfection in everything he does. He is invariably the first into the garage in the morning and one of the last to leave. When most of the top guys have retired to their motorhome Rossi can still be seen talking to his engineers and mechanics about setup and engineering issues. He eats his meals in the garage with the mechanics and even insists on putting his own decals on his bikes. The only other rider that I remember being so intimately involved with the pit crews and so intense on being involved at every level was Barry Sheene. As Rocket has already said, Rossi has won at every class he has raced in, from minibikes, 125,250, 500, 990 & 800 GP bikes, not to mention his undoubted natural ability on 4 wheels that he has only scratched the surface of. No other rider of the modern generation even comes close to matching his success in depth. I am not a Rossi fan as such, but if you are a fan of motorcycle racing in general then you have to admit that he is the phenomenon of his generation. Other riders have achieved success in the time that Rossi has been on the scene, but none have achieved anything like the depth and consistancy of success that Rossi has enjoyed. The harder you work the more talented you become | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I really like Rossi. He is the best moto rider we have seen the last 10 years. I really dislike his hyper-funs. They have missed the point of top level motorcycle racing. MotoGP is not about who the best rider is. Racing is also about showing which motorcycle, tire, suspension, fuel management,...., companies can manufacture the winning material. It is not just about who the most talented rider is. It is not like 100m , 400m track athletics where the athlete is on his own. In moto racing, highly advanced engineering and machines are involved. The glory of winning is also going to the chassis&engine designer, all the way down to the last mechanic, that might had a good idea at some point. Motorcycle racing is also about the best machine, tire, suspension. Because we, as as racing fans and consumers, we can go and buy the best products. This helps us enjoy our everyday and weekend riding to the maximum. This could be Honda, Ducati, Michelin, Bridgestone, etc, it does not matter. Have a look at the 1098 brakes, and you instantly know what I am talking about. About the motoGP getting boring....I suppose not all of us watch it for the same reasons. If I would like to watch something entertaining on TV, I would hire a DVD. If the winner is so fast that he can build a 20s gap to the 2nd, is also very entertaining and interesting. I want to see the best package win. By close racing or by a big gap, it is the same. I also want to see who is the rider that can use the 101% of his package, lap after lap, race after race, FP/QP after FP/QP. This year the best package won ! Congratulations to Stoner! Congratulations to Ducati! Congratulations to Bridgestone! Congratulations to Ohlins ! Congratulations to Brembo! | ||
| Rocketman |
Vag, spoken like a true Greek. Racing is also about showing which motorcycle, tire, suspension, fuel management,...., companies can manufacture the winning material. It is not just about who the most talented rider is Without a rider the package is nothing. Without a package the rider is everything. Rocket | ||
| Vagelis46 |
"Without a package the rider is everything." True, but it does not mean that you win the championsip. | ||
| Rocketman |
That's the point Vag. I don't want the package to win the championship. I want the rider to win it. This is why it's important for me that the package does not show a greater overall advantage. A similar yet different package for the teams works for me, but where the tyre issue is concerned a race never mind a championship should not be decided primarily by a contact patch. I can accept from one week of racing to another each and every tyre manufacturer has a chance of their contact patch being the winning factor, but chance is all I want. I don't wish to see any rider have their race position decided alone by a tyres performance. I want the overall package to bring its success, and failures, and those to work out evenly over time by the physics and chemistry, law of averages and good and bad luck, but above all else I want it to be the rider that can capitalise on all of the parameters involved, or not. I never wish to see any race series being totally dominated by an individual because of the superior performance of a semi synthetic rubber ring! I think this season that is really what we saw and as a punter sat on the fence, I feel robbed. Rocket | ||
| Mcgiver |
I wish Rossi, and Stoner were on the same team, with the same bike and tires. Than when Stoner hands Rossi his ass, their will be no excuses! (sun was in my eyes?) Brian | ||
| Rocketman |
Maybe if this were to happen............... MotoGP: Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi agree on bike swap By Matthew Birt MotoGP 17 October 2007 09:49 It might be pure fantasy to imagine a scenario where Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi switch bikes for a Grand Prix weekend, but at least the world’s top two riders would be willing to give it a go. Newly-crowned MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner and seven-times world champ Valentino Rossi were asked if they could, whether they would swap bikes for the final round of the 2007 series in Valencia next month. Aussie Casey Stoner, who has won nine races to giveDucati its first premier class world crown, said he wouldn’t have any issue with letting Valentino Rossi have a go on a bike which has dominated the new 800cc era. And Italian Valentino Rossi, who has won just four times on Yamaha’s underpowered factory YZR-M1, said he’d be willing to switch out of curiosity. Not surprising given the 28-year-old has made several references this season to the top speed and Bridgestone tyre advantage Casey Stoner has held. “For sure it would be interesting to try,” said Valentino Rossi, who has lost two world championships in a row for the first time in his career after a crushing defeat to Casey Stoner this year. “Unfortunately it is just in the imagination because of contracts. I don’t think Yamaha would be very happy if I ride a Ducati and Ducati wouldn’t be very happy if Casey rides a Yamaha. “But maybe it is a good idea but not possible. For me I’m ready to try one time. “I’d be interested to try the Ducati one time because it is so fast. But I think it is difficult,” added Valentino Rossi, who looks certain to dump Michelin and join Casey Stoner on Bridgestone tyres in next season. Casey Stoner, who held lengthy talks with Yamaha about joining Valentino Rossi for 2006 and 2007 before he clinched a Ducati deal, said he too would be willing to swap. “I’ve changed bikes almost every season in my career in GP so it would be no problem for me. He (Rossi) can have a look,” said Casey Stoner, who is bidding to take his 2007 victory tally into double figures at this weekend’s Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang. ...........the dust would settle! Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
How about: Best 2 out of 3: 1) Stoner rides Edwards' bike. 2) Rossi rides Capirossi's bike. 3) Stoner rides Rossi's bike, Rossi rides Stoner's bike | ||
| Rocketman |
Or......... Stoner rides Rossi's bike. Rossi rides Edwards bike. Or......... Stoner rides Rossi's bike. Rossi rides Edwards bike. Edwards rides Stoner's bike. The mind boggles! Rocket | ||
| Trojan |
Interesting as the idea is, it just ain't going to happen while we live in a world of corporate sponsors and factory contracts. Can you imagine what would happen if Rossi rode the Ducati & picked up some valuable information to improve the Yamaha (or vice versa), it would make the F1 spying scandal look like a minor disagreement. Or even if Rossi won on the Ducati or Stoner won on the Yamaha, or one of them crashed and was seriously injured? ..the dust would never settle  | ||
| Rocketman |
Reading this weeks MCN I can't help but feel there are so many journo's jumping on the Stoner bandwagon. More hilarious is some of these baboons talk as if Rossi could be beaten by Stoner even if Rossi had of had Bridgestones. Next year I think we're gonna see Rossi show the rest of the field why you can never write him off. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
Not denying Stoner has had an incredible year... but he needs a few more "incredible years" before he can be considered as good as (or better) than Rossi. He's young, though... so who knows? | ||
| Vagelis46 |
So, who can stop Casey Stoner and the Ducati??? Another great display of riding. His sideways entry to some corners were incredible. He was riding like a God. It seems that RCV with Pedrosa, is as fast as GP7. Until they hit the brakes... I change my mind now, about the tire issue. It would be good to see what Rossi/M1 and Pedrosa/RCV could do on Bridgestones. But at the same time Michelin should stay in motoGP, so that development will continue. | ||
| Rocketman |
Moto GP - Sepang............ BORING .........nothing to write home about. Don't know what race you were watching Vag. Stoner said it was physically demanding so he rode steady just to maintain a gap. That's why Melandri, Pedrosa and DePuniet were closer than other races - which proves yet again it was the Ducati and Bridgestone that won the race and not Stoner's 'god like'?? ability. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
Michelin has definitely been stepping up now that it's too late. On the other hand, if Rossi and Pedrosa DO switch next year, wouldn't it be a kick in the teeth of Michelin manages to surpass Bridgestone in the off-season?? | ||
| Trojan |
Yawn! Has the season finished yet? I hope the whole field are made to race on Maxxis Supermoto slicks next year. That will liven up the proceedings somewhat | ||
| Jaimec |
News Flash: Dorna has settled on control tires provided by Cheng Shin for the 2008 season!!  | ||
| Blublak |
Hey, let's make it really interesting..  GoodYear Control Tires..  They get to start from scratch and try to develop a motorcycle tire.. with the resultant chaos from exploding rubber and what not, it should make for an 'adventurous' '08 season.. don't you think? | ||
| Benm2 |
Look around for some old pictures of the racebikes from the 80's, TZ750's and such. Goodyear used to make racing slicks for bikes, and they were dominant in the US. They are still heavily involved with car racing, so their compound knowledge should be fully up to snuff. They wouldn't be starting from ground zero. Maxxis IS Cheng-Shin, if I remember right. They (Cheng Shin) established the Maxxis brand to separate their newer offerings from the Cheng-Shin "cheap-a$$ tire" associations. The interesting thing to see will be what the Japanese manufacturers AND Michilen do to step up for next season, after having the "archaic, complicated desmo valve setup" AND last-years second-class tire hand them their collective butts on the track. When will Ducati offer a V-4 streetbike? Not that rediculously expensive replica thing, a real Ducati that mortals can buy WITHOUT connections & lots of money. Their top end (desmo) can be purchased now on any number of bikes; not so with the pneumatic valve setups of the others... | ||
| Rocketman |
Ducati had a prototype V4 streetbike 40 years ago, specifically for the US market! All hail the Apollo Rocket | ||
| Trojan |
Going back to the subject of Rossi running as the lone Yamaha pilot on Bridgestone tyres next year, it appears that Rossi sees other benefits in addition to the tyres. Rossi alledgedly fought against having Jorge Lorenzo as a team mate for 2008, and at one point there was a strong possibility of Yamaha running two teams (in addition to the Tech 3 squad) just to keep them apart. However it now appears that although they will share a garage & sponsors there will be a wall across the middle of the garage in order to stop tyre technology being 'stolen' by either tyre manufacturer (Lorenzo will of course be on Michelins). This means that there will be no information exchange regarding setup between the two riders either. Very clever if he manages to pull it off A disaster if he doesn't.  | ||
| Blublak |
Dang.. I had forgotten that Goodyear used to make bike tires.. damn.. I guess Old Timers is starting to trickle in huh? Thanks for the refresher! | ||
| Daves |
How well did Troy Frankenfurter finish the season Rocket?  | ||
| Rocketman |
Well Dave, you could say he finished on a high. Early season was dominated by some breathtaking rides into the great Yorkshire scenery and beyond. Remember, Yorkshire is a very large county within our (relatively) small isle. Highlight had to be the S1W taking on Buttertubs Pass and Askrigg Fell on that nigh on 300 mile day out. Mid season was pretty much concentrated on getting the V8 Streetfighter up and running. 3 laps of Rockingham was worth burning the midnight candle for two whole weeks to make it happen. As the season draws to a close, Team Rocket, that's one man without underpants to anyone reading, is setting about the task of making S1W more powerful than previous seasons. I don't need no stinking tyre rule. Any make will do. What I do need is cash dollars to get the Cycle-rama gurus moving. It's looking like XB heads and a 1250 upgrade is much needed. Of course, the lovely Wes Brown will be working his magic into those heads, as well as some other goodies thrown into the mix courtesy of the queen of the universe, Pammy Brown. Shame all the hot chics are spoken for eh, ah um, let's not go there. Mind you, I'm assured she looks great in burlap - whatever that is. Anyway, what was I saying. Oh yeah, Troy Frankenstein's season. You know, if it were not for that 1098S, Brutale 910, back to back test ride, my bloody Buell wouldn't have needed a performance upgrade! Can't have those pesky Eye-ties winning everything this season though! Thanks for asking Dave. Say, d'you do a line in motorcycle mounted crossbows? Rocket | ||
| Daves |
 Tell Pammy and Wes I said Hi! | ||
| Rocketman |
Better still, you could sponsor Troy - with your checkbook. This way you get to say hi yourself  Nice to hear from you Dave. Will send your fondest to the Brown's. Rocket | ||
| 46champ |
Goodyear still makes motorcycle tires, who do you think owns Dunlop. | ||
| Anonymous |
The Japanese own Dunlop. | ||
| 46champ |
I guess that the Japanese must own Goodyear also, being that Dunlop is listed along with the other subsidiary brands Kelly Springfield, Sava and Fulda on the website Goodyear.com. Strange that their traded on the NYSE: GT, and not the Tokyo exchange. | ||
| Anonymous |
Yep, it is Sumitomo Rubber Group that owns majority stock in all these. And just because a company has Japanese ownership does not mean it has to be traded in Tokyo?! |
