[Kinetic Frenzy]

oh dear, sounds like another winless season for Rossi... he's way past trying to be positive about the situation and has completely accepted that he's going to be mid-pack unless the situation vastly improves.

I can't see the situation improving enough, they've been trying to improve it for a year now and on the basis of the Losail results they've actually managed to go backwards with their *improvements* so i wonder if he'll walk mid-season...?

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

so i wonder if he'll walk mid-season...?

Time was MotoGP wouldn't have let that happen, they'd have moved hell and high water to keep him.
But I'm not so sure they'd bother, these days.
Whilst he's still a big part of MotoGP, he's stepped down from being 'everything'.
MotoGP can probably, finally, breathe a sigh of relief that it looks like it would survive without him.
And, personally, I would enjoy attending races more if it went back to more even 'split' of support between fans.
I get tired of the hordes of yellow swamping the place.

[Kinetic Frenzy]

i have to confess that i got into watching moto gp through getting my xbox live subscription back in the day when it first launched and you got a demo of moto gp to play on live...

..once i'd watched a few races it was Rossi who kept me coming back for more. So it will be a sad day for me the day he leaves the sport but it's already a fairly sad day to see him failing to compete.

I always thought that such a great champion would go out on their feet and not their knees but his decision to move to Ducati seems to be the way things are shaping, i just can not see how a rider of his pedigree can continue to finish races p-nowhere for another full season.

Maybe i'm being a bit premature writing his moto gp eulogy. i hope i am

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

I always thought that such a great champion would go out on their feet and not their knees

Great champions rarely go out on a high, Rossi will be fortunate enough to get out fit and healthy.
Doohan - forced retirement due to leg injury
Schwantz - forced retirement due to wrist
Rainey - We all know what happened there
Fogarty - Injury
Criville - forced retirement due to hand/wrist

The last MotoGP champion I can remember leaving 'intact' was Kenny Roberts Jr.
The last multiple champion that retired due to free will was Bayliss, I think?

[Kinetic Frenzy]

true, just goes to show how cruel sport can be, even for a golden boy like Rossi

[MarkyPancake]

Dennis Noyes' take on the Rossi and Ducati situation, interesting read:

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...id-red-said/P1

[Monty Burns]

Originally Posted by MarkyPancake

Dennis Noyes' take on the Rossi and Ducati situation, interesting read:

MOTOGP: Noyes' Notebook - He Said, Red Said

wow.... thanks for the link.

[MarkyPancake]

Kenny Roberts Junior on the Rossi situation:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Apr/120413-1046.htm

I believe Rossi has said to the Italian media that he will weather this storm with Ducati.

[OnTheFly]

If Reuters are correct, Audi will shortly own Ducati. Perhaps Mr Invincible will get an all wheel drive bike. The hater(s) will not like that.

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by OnTheFly

If Reuters are correct, Audi will shortly own Ducati. Perhaps Mr Invincible will get an all wheel drive bike. The hater(s) will not like that.

Going by the two Audis I've owned before, Rossi's understeer problem isn't going to get any better then....

[Kinetic Frenzy]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

Going by the two Audis I've owned before, Rossi's understeer problem isn't going to get any better then....

AWD great for rallying but naff for a track

[alexs2]

Jerez this weekend.

Rossi 2nd in wet 2nd practice,so the recalcitrant Duke works when it's wet,and Rossi must be praying for rain.

Dani Pedrosa denies Valentino Rossi the fastest time in Jerez MotoGP second practice - MotoGP news - AUTOSPORT.com

[MarkyPancake]

I don't think it's necessarily that the Ducati works better in the rain, like Jerez last year I think it shows that when all the bikes are competing on a more level playing field, Rossi has still got the pace when he isn't worrying so much about whatever issues the Ducati has got. I think that if they can sort the Ducati out enough that he feels like he can ride how he wants all the time, we'll see him battling at the front. I don't believe you wake up suddenly and lose that much speed at only 33.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by MarkyPancake

I don't think it's necessarily that the Ducati works better in the rain, like Jerez last year I think it shows that when all the bikes are competing on a more level playing field, Rossi has still got the pace when he isn't worrying so much about whatever issues the Ducati has got. I think that if they can sort the Ducati out enough that he feels like he can ride how he wants all the time, we'll see him battling at the front. I don't believe you wake up suddenly and lose that much speed at only 33.

I'm sure he hasn't suddenly lost the speed.

I think the engine siting and associated issues have a lot to do with it,as does the understeer,but the rain does level things a bit for sure.

[bobflunkit]

Just watched moto2 quali and Marquez was only .10sec behind vale.

That is something that is really mad when you think of what each different bike/teams cost.

[MarkyPancake]

This tweet sums it up for me:

http://twitter.com/M_Turco/status/196549963356971008

Especially with the existing riders in MotoGP.

[MarkyPancake]

I like Spies, but how can he be getting beat on Rossi's old bike by Rossi on a bike he can't ride how he wants?!

[Miss Chief]

Personally, if Spies carries on like this Cal should be approaching Yamaha management asking for a full works bike or Spies' job.

[alexs2]

I could see Spies either getting the heave-ho,or being relegated to Tech3 again,and Crutchlow getting the works seat.

Well done Cal.

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

Ben Spies apologises after ‘pathetic’ race

Ben Spies apologises after

[FZR400RRSP]

I can't see Spies getting the bung, to be honest.
You can see how important having an American rider is to factories by looking at Hayden at Ducati.
He may be doing 'ok' just now, but his past results should really have got him the bung ages ago.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

I can't see Spies getting the bung, to be honest.
You can see how important having an American rider is to factories by looking at Hayden at Ducati.
He may be doing 'ok' just now, but his past results should really have got him the bung ages ago.

Have to wait and see......

I do think a bit of seat-swapping could be on though,unless he seriously ups his game as Jorge has 35 points more,out of the same 2 races,so it can't be said that bike doesn't perform,and Crutchlow has more than a race win's worth of points in hand too.

[FZR400RRSP]

I'm chuffed to bits with/for Cal.
I knew he had a determination/ability we haven't seen for a while.
I was at a function a few weeks back, where a 'BSB rider' was in attendance.
We had a good laugh with him, he got mullered.
But he started having a go at Cal, saying he was "up himself" etc.
Although I didn't say it, I couldn't help thinking "he's the one in MotoGP, mate..."

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

But he started having a go at Cal, saying he was "up himself" etc.
Although I didn't say it, I couldn't help thinking "he's the one in MotoGP, mate..."

Well that's it,isn't it,AND he's making very good use of it,posting good results and some clean,hard racing.

Let's see him on the works machine.

[johny1980]

Might seem a strange thing to say but crutchlow reminds me of mark webber in looks and mannerisms.

Is it just me?

[Kinetic Frenzy]

How can anyone say Crutchlow is up himself, he's a good honest lad always willing to talk and even does some commentary in the Eurosport booth just before his Moto GP race some riders, understandably, you can't go within a 10 metre radius before a race, let alone get a comment out of them.

if you want the definition of up themself look no further than moaner, no matter how many races he wins and championships he gets he'll always come across as up himself because he's a ratty little b1tch

[MarkyPancake]

The rumour mill is picking up its pace about Stoner retiring in 2013.

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

if you want the definition of up themself look no further than moaner, no matter how many races he wins and championships he gets he'll always come across as up himself because he's a ratty little b1tch

I really think a lot of people really misunderstand Casey he's just a man that speaks his mind & hates the BS in the paddock if you all call that moaning then so be it. Although its funny that all this moaner rubbish started in England were we always hold all racers in the highest regard!

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

How can anyone say Crutchlow is up himself,

I think the British way is to call anyone 'focussed' as 'up himself'.
I could name the rider concerned, I won't.
Suffice to say he's a top lad, drinking like you wouldn't believe and even squaring up to the bouncers later on.
But you can see why his career has been on the slide of late.

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by MarkyPancake

The rumour mill is picking up its pace about Stoner retiring in 2013.

You know, I sort of respect this, if it's done for the right reasons.
If he feels he's made enough money to get out and spend the rest of his days pottering around an Australian ranch, good on him.
So few leave MotoGP 'fully intact'.
I think Barros might be the last one to retire uninjured?
Although he left $3million poorer, after being sued by Gauloises Yamaha.