Rossi...wow (Contains Spoilers)

[Fitty]

Originally Posted by jredford

I watched the AMA Superbike race yesterday and what Blake Young did was one of the most impressive efforts I have ever seen.

Wow!

Agreed. Can't wait to see the second race.

[CrazyJoe]

I'm waiting for it to show up on my torrent site.

[OSUFZ1]

Too bad AMA Superbike coverage sucks. WTF ?!?! I love watching those guys at Mid Ohio.

Regarding MotoGP I think Stoner is the most talented rider today given his success on the Ducati nobody can ride. That guy is just fast. Certainly Lorenzo is no joke and I don't buy that Vali is washed up but if I am a team owner and I could have any rider I wanted for the same money I would choose Stoner. There are people who simply know how to win and do...Stoner. And those who don't...Pedrosa. I still can't believe Honda punted on Nicky Hayden and kept that tool.

[flbusa]

I'm pretty disappointed with Ben Spies MotoGP performance. It's like he's lost his Mojo.

[johns-bikes]

Originally Posted by flbusa

I'm pretty disappointed with Ben Spies MotoGP performance. It's like he's lost his Mojo.

One bad race maybe? Let's hope not we need to see some racing other than the 3 up front, and I'm an Aussie with a pic of me and Casey out fishing on my wall...

Cheers John

[ballmead]

Originally Posted by flbusa

I'm pretty disappointed with Ben Spies MotoGP performance. It's like he's lost his Mojo.

He's racing against the world's best, you have to be on your game every race.

I'm sure he will come good soon enough, if not Dovi and Crutchlow will be more than happy to step into his shoes.

[SCTFZ1]

Wow, one bad race in which he was having serious bike issues that even the team acknowledged and you guys are already throwing Ben under the bus.

[southernfizzer]

I agree about Ben just having a bad outing at Losail. But the truth of the matter is that if he does not start competing at the front week in and week out he may be out of a factory ride after this year. I certainly hope that is not the case though.

In regards to Stoner, yes, I think he is super talented and smooth. Especially given the whole "able to ride" the Ducati thing. But in the past he has appeared to have a tendancy to crack under sustained pressure from a close race against an aggressive competitor. Hoping to see some more competitive racing among the top 3-5 riders in the weeks to come. This will tell the true tale.

[ballmead]

Originally Posted by southernfizzer

I agree about Ben just having a bad outing at Losail. But the truth of the matter is that if he does not start competing at the front week in and week out he may be out of a factory ride after this year. I certainly hope that is not the case though.

In regards to Stoner, yes, I think he is super talented and smooth. Especially given the whole "able to ride" the Ducati thing. But in the past he has appeared to have a tendancy to crack under sustained pressure from a close race against an aggressive competitor. Hoping to see some more competitive racing among the top 3-5 riders in the weeks to come. This will tell the true tale.

The only reason (as you say) Stoner "cracked under pressure", was due to riding an inferior bike which has become so glaringly obvious this year and the last.

[ballmead]

Originally Posted by SCTFZ1

Wow, one bad race in which he was having serious bike issues that even the team acknowledged and you guys are already throwing Ben under the bus.

"Serious bike issues" caused by himself while throwing his bikes down the road during practise.

[SCTFZ1]

Wow! So what's your real name. You must be a retired multitime world champ because you don't give any one even an inch of slack....unless his name is Stoner..cause then it must only be the bike.

Put up some videos of your mad skills before you tear others any further. Get a grip sport. Yours is not the only opinion in town and despite what you might think. You are not always right about everything.

[southernfizzer]

Originally Posted by ballmead

The only reason (as you say) Stoner "cracked under pressure", was due to riding an inferior bike which has become so glaringly obvious this year and the last.

You do have a point there......Point well taken. : ) However, like I said... some time and some more racing pressure will tell the true tale.

[flbusa]

Originally Posted by SCTFZ1

Wow, one bad race in which he was having serious bike issues that even the team acknowledged and you guys are already throwing Ben under the bus.

Well it's not just one bad race... it's a couple years of mediocre races.

Yes... he's had a few great races but, to me... it's like he was on this tremendous roll, 4 AMA titles in '06, '07 & '08 on a Suzuki, then off to SBK in '09, on a Yamaha, where he dominates the series his first time out and wins the SBK title, throwing caution to the wind, making incredible moves, and then motogp and he does as well as can be expected, 6th in the series, OK, 1st year out, that's understandable, 2010... pretty much the same deal, 5th, a little better but where's that "Go out there and dominate!" attitude? I mean this guy used to stomp riders for lunch, he was feared.

Ben is still the guy I root for, just getting a little tired of barely catching a glimpse of him mid pack on TV.

Sure would like to see him in the top 3.

Maybe this weekend he'll get pissed and fight a little harder.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by flbusa

Well it's not just one bad race... it's a couple years of mediocre races.

You guys are used to that though with Colin and Nicky circulating mid field for the most part other than '06 which seems a little like a fluke now considering. Are these trio really your best and brightest?: laugh3:

[Ave]

Rossi...

[OSUFZ1]

Originally Posted by aussie

You guys are used to that though with Colin and Nicky circulating mid field for the most part other than '06 which seems a little like a fluke now considering. Are these trio really your best and brightest?: laugh3:

Nicky Hayden 2006 is a fluke? Winning one race might be fluke. Winning a year long championship is no fluke. The tophy is in the case.

While not every country can have a man on top every year it's safe to say the US has done well over the years (Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts Sr, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, Kenny Roberts Jr and Nicky Hayden)

According to this list US has 17 world titles while Australia has 11. Personally I have no issue with it but it appears you do.

[CrazyJoe]

Originally Posted by aussie

You guys are used to that though with Colin and Nicky circulating mid field for the most part other than '06 which seems a little like a fluke now considering. Are these trio really your best and brightest?: laugh3:

I guess I love the concept of National pride --- I just don't have any. I love bikers with talent and Stoner cannot be denied nor IMHO anyone in MotoGP.

Many other very talented guys have been weeded out to WSB or somewhere. AMA is maybe where talent starts but the stupid rule changes and crap has made it a joke. Sure -- those guys can ride but they are not MotoGP talent.

MotoGP is the best of the best. I believe these guys have a feel for the bike that few of us can even understand --- I know I can't. For us losers to try to pick them apart is almost comical.

[flbusa]

Originally Posted by OSUFZ1

Nicky Hayden 2006 is a fluke? Winning one race might be fluke. Winning a year long championship is no fluke. The tophy is in the case.

Sorry to say but I kind of have to go along with aussie on this one.

Don't get me wrong, I want Americans to win but Hayden has been in MotoGP for 9 years and has a total of three wins, Two of them were in 2006, a year in which the top riders were plagued with mechanical problems. Consistency is what wins championships and if anything Hayden is consistent. When the top rider/s have a bad year... the guy that's getting 2nd's, 3rd's and 4th's is going to garner the most points.

Is Hayden a fluke? Absolutely Not! But winning the championship in 2006 was based more on good fortune than outright wins.

[russperry]

Originally Posted by Falcon 269

I understand your point. It doesn't change the fact that Rossi and those within the inner circle enjoyed superior machinery and tyres.

The record books are full of champions who by virtue of their natural talent got an additional advantage over the majority in terms of what they rode. I get that.

Wishful thinking, I know, but wouldn't it say more about the riders' skills if they were all on identical bikes and tyres?

I wonder if CRT might eventually take us closer to that?

That sounds a lot like NASCAR

[southernfizzer]

Here is a link to an article by Dennis Noyes on Speed. Brings to view a little clearer picture of the GOATS.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...re-at-goats/P1