A world without Valentino Rossi

Mental Anarchist · Apr 4, 2011

MotoGP has been a One Rider Series for a decade. If that was good then MotoGP would be flourishing. The reality is that MotoGP is at its lowest point in its history. The grids have never been smaller. I can't ever recall the Championship winning bike having no title sponsor. Four races out of 18 are in Spain and 3 in Italy and there are a couple where the stands are empty.

Without Rossi the last decade of MotoGP would have had many hero's and probably only a couple of villains. Unfortunately it has been the opposite with one hero and the rest of the field has been made to be the villain. Without Rossi there would be a wider spread of sponsorship money across the field. We would have tyre competition instead of a control tyre. We would have no walls in pit boxes. Nicky Hayden would never have so disrespected. Stoner would not be vilified by so many with out warrant. Technical advancement and prototyping would not be considered to be evil when in all but one riders hands. The rider developing the bike myth would not exist. Dorna would not be the disappointment that they are today because they would have been developing the sport for the last 10 years rather than just developing the #46 Brand and relying on it to continue to lay the Clayton's golden egg. Ducati would probably be winning races, still be a wailing screamer and it would definitely not look as gay as it does this season.

But most important of all, the Bopper would not exist.

Jumkie · Apr 4, 2011

Mr Shupe, first of all, .... the Yankees.

I think GP has a unique potential of playing favorite. Its a bit hard to play favorite with say Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan (who i disliked before he got involved with AMA) or a few other sports in general. Motorsport is a bit different because so much power resides with the very small power structure.

I wouldnt say Rossi is that awful, no. I'd say those in charge of the league, Dorna, more specifically, Carmelo, IS that awful. Its the league, represented by a hand full of good old boys who hav favored Rossi to the point of compromise. Ive said this before, especially with the Bstone deal. Rossi can demand all he wants, but its up to the league to maintain integrity and equality. So first, .... Dorna.

Now the following is wher my detraction of Rossi comes to play, hes been both a willing participant and perpetrator of the favoritism, and has dubiously used his untouchable status to attempt to (and in some cases has) ruined careers. This has gone on for years, and only a few hav filtered it and pointed at foul play. His staus has been a chilling effect on his rivals and media in not saying anything against for fear of sport MacCarthyism. Hes raced with impunity.

His move to Ducati has been the best thing that has happened for the detractors because it has exposed the man that is Rossi. And may i add, while vindicating two rivals who have been in the clutch of vilification (Stoner & Lorenzo, currently). Can u honestly say Rossi has not been a participant in the vilification of his rivals? No, he hasnt told his followers to hate Stoner or Lorenzo, but he has effectively put out that message. These are men, who also hav dedicated their lives to the sport. But not only did they hav to sacrifice everything to make it, but when they reached the top level of their sport, they also had to contend with a popularity contest. One in which the league decided who was the homecoming king while relegating others to be merely the court. How insulting then for that king to glote and taunt the court. Hes not stupid, he knows well enuf what hes doing.

I dont know about the rest of ur list, but as for Rossi, the detraction is not some unexplainable human tendency of hating the guy on top of the mountain, in Rossis case, its legit.

Tekniqs · Apr 4, 2011

Mental Anarchist said:
MotoGP has been a One Rider Series for a decade. If that was good then MotoGP would be flourishing. The reality is that MotoGP is at its lowest point in its history. The grids have never been smaller. I can't ever recall the Championship winning bike having no title sponsor. Four races out of 18 are in Spain and 3 in Italy and there are a couple where the stands are empty.

Without Rossi the last decade of MotoGP would have had many hero's and probably only a couple of villains. Unfortunately it has been the opposite with one hero and the rest of the field has been made to be the villain. Without Rossi there would be a wider spread of sponsorship money across the field. We would have tyre competition instead of a control tyre. We would have no walls in pit boxes. Nicky Hayden would never have so disrespected. Stoner would not be vilified by so many with out warrant. Technical advancement and prototyping would not be considered to be evil when in all but one riders hands. The rider developing the bike myth would not exist. Dorna would not be the disappointment that they are today because they would have been developing the sport for the last 10 years rather than just developing the #46 Brand and relying on it to continue to lay the Clayton's golden egg. Ducati would probably be winning races, still be a wailing screamer and it would definitely not look as gay as it does this season.

But most important of all, the Bopper would not exist.

yep lets completely forget about the switch from the 990s to 800s, the skyrocketing price to keep a bike on the grid, and most of all the economic downfall. but i guess rossi is responsible for all those as well. makes complete sense!

Mr Squiggle · Apr 4, 2011

I would just like to add....

Bop Bop Boppity Bop

Thats all I have to say on this matter

Mental Anarchist · Apr 4, 2011

Tekniqs said:
yep lets completely forget about the switch from the 990s to 800s, the skyrocketing price to keep a bike on the grid, and most of all the economic downfall. but i guess rossi is responsible for all those as well. makes complete sense!

If Rossi had of won the first year on 800's the formula would have been a success. He didn't so there must be something wrong with it. I like the 800's. I liked the 990's as did I the 500's.

I would suggest that had Dorna not been asleep at the Rossi Alter then the MSMA would not have control of the sport and we would have a formula that by its very design increases costs to prevent competition.

I bet if you took the total sponsorship pool and asked the field if they would be happy with an equal share of it all but Rossi's team would be happy with it. The problem is not a lack of money it is that all the money flows into one camp because for a decade the sport has been allowed to revolve around just one rider.

digger · Apr 4, 2011

Mr Squiggle said:
I would just like to add....

Bop Bop Boppity Bop

Thats all I have to say on this matter

Do you have a favourite rider squiggle? If so, what do you believe they have contributed to the sport of motorcycle racing? Do you believe they have contributed, for better or worse, more to motorcycle racing than Valentino Rossi?

Im not taking the piss here either squiggle, im asking a serious question

33 Coupe · Apr 4, 2011

I have no doubt that 95% of members on this site were very big fans of Rossi initially. The lanky Italian with the talent to do what few before him have been able to. The spur of the moment celebrations upon winning a race in 125's & 250's. He was a great rider & people respected him for what he did on the track. I was a huge fan & used to yell at the TV, amazed at what this young upstart was capable of. Not so much now.

For me, Rossi started to lose his sheen when he departed Honda & went to Yamaha. About then he realised that he could manipulate the manufacturers into doing what he wanted. Honda won't do things my way, I'll go to Yamaha. Yamaha won't do things my way, I'll go to Ducati. The willingness of the manufacturers to do whatever Rossi wanted developed an ego which is unparalleled. This ego then realised that this is now my ticket to riches never before seen for a rider. He was no longer Valentino Rossi, Motorcyle Racer, he was Valentino Rossi, Businessman. This business grew to the point where he had influence over every aspect of Moto GP, and boy, hasn't he pushed that cart everywhere. Riders, manufacturers, tyre companies, sponsors have all felt the wrath of Rossi. Anyone dare challenge Rossi will be met by an army of yellow clones willing to take a bullet for their manufactured hero. Really piss him off & you could become the target of his well rehearsed after race antics which are worse than any D grade movie.

I still admire him for what he has acheived on the race track, I just don't respect the man he has become. His ........ apology last weekend is just another example of the type of man he really is.

People saying Stoner has lost a lot of fans with his comments to Rossi after the race. HA. Stoner has picked up a heap of fans by making the doctor look like a ......... I'm one of many that have vacated the Rossi Bandwagon & jumped on the Stoner rocket. No ........, just honesty & bravery.

Mental Anarchist · Apr 4, 2011

33 Coupe said:
I have no doubt that 95% of members on this site were very big fans of Rossi initially. The lanky Italian with the talent to do what few before him have been able to. The spur of the moment celebrations upon winning a race in 125's & 250's. He was a great rider & people respected him for what he did on the track. I was a huge fan & used to yell at the TV, amazed at what this young upstart was capable of. Not so much now.

For me, Rossi started to lose his sheen when he departed Honda & went to Yamaha. About then he realised that he could manipulate the manufacturers into doing what he wanted. Honda won't do things my way, I'll go to Yamaha. Yamaha won't do things my way, I'll go to Ducati. The willingness of the manufacturers to do whatever Rossi wanted developed an ego which is unparalleled. This ego then realised that this is now my ticket to riches never before seen for a rider. He was no longer Valentino Rossi, Motorcyle Racer, he was Valentino Rossi, Businessman. This business grew to the point where he had influence over every aspect of Moto GP, and boy, hasn't he pushed that cart everywhere. Riders, manufacturers, tyre companies, sponsors have all felt the wrath of Rossi. Anyone dare challenge Rossi will be met by an army of yellow clones willing to take a bullet for their manufactured hero. Really piss him off & you could become the target of his well rehearsed after race antics which are worse than any D grade movie.

I still admire him for what he has acheived on the race track, I just don't respect the man he has become. His ........ apology last weekend is just another example of the type of man he really is.

People saying Stoner has lost a lot of fans with his comments to Rossi after the race. HA. Stoner has picked up a heap of fans by making the doctor look like a ......... I'm one of many that have vacated the Rossi Bandwagon & jumped on the Stoner rocket. No ........, just honesty & bravery.

33 Coupe, you are not alone and this is why the Rossi star has less lustre and the motorcycle world is beginning to move on.

digger · Apr 4, 2011

as a rossi fan, it pains me to say, but 33 coupe is right with what he says about stoner gaining fans. Im one of the only blokes at my work that watch motogp, so not many people know with whats going in that world unless it makes the nightly news (which it did). I have had heaps of people come up to me (knowing im a rossi fan too haha) and saying how good it is that stoner took the piss out of rossi with that comment, and that they reckon its the best thing since ribbed condoms

So yeah, he definately won some new fans with that .... he pulled on the weekend

Jumkie · Apr 4, 2011

33 Coupe! Solid.

Digger, u make a fair question, tho i disagreed with ur support.

Tek, u make a good point, may i counter, that while 800 formula flopped, Wsbk was continuing to summit in terms of spectacle & grid sizes. I think part of it is because one series focused more on racing while the other on marketing.

Burky · Apr 4, 2011

33 Coupe said:
I still admire him for what he has acheived on the race track, I just don't respect the man he has become. His ........ apology last weekend is just another example of the type of man he really is.

People saying Stoner has lost a lot of fans with his comments to Rossi after the race. HA. Stoner has picked up a heap of fans by making the doctor look like a ......... I'm one of many that have vacated the Rossi Bandwagon & jumped on the Stoner rocket. No ........, just honesty & bravery.

I think this pretty much sums up how most long time followers of 'road racing' see this.

For you Rossi boppers out there, let's get one thing clear. This is the shittiest era of 'road racing' I can recall in my 44 years!!! The only saving grace for Moto GP weekends is the Moto 2 class.

As for a world without Valentino.... it will never happen. The brand has been sold, you are hooked!

digger · Apr 4, 2011

fair enough jumkie. its always hard to talk about something that never happened and is just pure speculation, cause no one is really ever right. but it is interesting to hear the opinions of others on the subject.

BarryMachine · Apr 5, 2011

MGP wuld be way better off without the Dorna/Rossi hat and T shirt selling combo. The fastest guy would likely win the WC then not the "showiest"

Some of you folk forget how boring it was when Rossi came to MGP, so boring WSBK was way better. In fact Dorna had to buy Baylis and edwards to start the cure for that.

J4rn0 · Apr 5, 2011

Funny how some intelligent lovers of our sport fail to see that their obsession with Rossi as the Devil and the source of all evil in MotoGP is exactly the same kind of attitude as the boppers', who think that he is the God and the single source of MotoGP itself.

It is these two attitudes together that form the big marketing bubble of the 'Rossi phenomenon'. Those who do not like it should simply ignore the bubble altogether and concentrate on the racing, enjoying the excellent TV and internet coverage the sport has nowadays, -- which is paid in good part by the more casual audience.

Mr Squiggle · Apr 5, 2011

digger said:
Do you have a favourite rider squiggle? If so, what do you believe they have contributed to the sport of motorcycle racing? Do you believe they have contributed, for better or worse, more to motorcycle racing than Valentino Rossi?

Im not taking the piss here either squiggle, im asking a serious question

My favourite riders are listed below my name. My all time favourite was Mick Doohan.

I would say he contributed greatly to the sport and was a very worthy multiple champion who came back after severe injuries to conquer all before him. I cant recall him ever moaning about having his leg nearly amputated and seeing him when he hobbled back on the bike end of 92 season to try to stave off another of my all time favourites Wayne Rainey to the title was very hard to watch. It was bravery personified!

Valentino Rossi has also contributed enormously to the sport....perhaps more so than any other single rider....but not all that contribution is positive. It is the way his fans behave that I find most annoying. Go read crash.net articles about yesterdays "racing incident" to see what I mean. According to many posters on there it is Stoner who is the villain.

I also believe Mick was a more complete rider. He began his career far later in life than Vale. Rossi has been in the circus since age 15. Doohan I think rode his first race at age 25...if Mick had an extra 10 years of racing at the highest level he may have added many more titles to his resume - ifs, buts, maybes.

Wayne Rainey was also a giant of the sport. His rear wheel control was as good as any I have seen. If he had not have crashed that fateful day he may also have way more than 4 world titles to his name.

Both men rode through the pain barrier of several nasty injuries and never mentioned the difficulties that they were having - check out Doohans injury at Laguna were he was rolling aound the track after crashing into a concrete wall and broke his scapula....it looked like his arm was attached via his leathers. They just rode hard and were AMAZING to watch. True Gladiators!

Contrast this with Rossi. He has never really had to deal with adversity before his injuries last year....save for a broken wrist which he rode with at a few races. His recent shoulder injury has ben mentioned at every possible opportunity....12 months after he did this injury. I have crashed a bike and injured my AC joint and I do realise how long shoulder injuries can take to heal and hamper your performance on a 240 BHP MGP missile. However he has had the best medical care money can buy and still 12 months later we hear of this problem ALL THE TIME.

I dont believe it would be impeding his outright speed as much as he is saying and he is using it as a rues to deflect pressure from his so far underwhelming performance on the Ducati GP11. It may be having an effect more on his stamina. Who knows... I am just pontificating...the only person that really knows is Rossi himself and previously he has used deception as way of keeping his rivals guessing....the so called "mind games" and "sandbagging" which is why I dont believe him now.

I used to be a HUGE Rossi fan. But I am not anymore and I can honestly say I wont be sorry to see him finally leave the sport and take all his "fans" with him so we can hopefully return to parity for all riders...but I doubt that will happen with the powers that be who control the sport these days having unreasonable influence on a riders opportunities due to their passports.

I dont give a .... about riders poncing around with blow up dolls and staging mock celebrations. I cant ever imagine Mick D or Wayne R unfurling a massive banner of photos of themselves - they just werent that egocentric. Rossi is truly a GREAT rider but also an attention whore who uses every dirty trick in the book to win - not my style of winner I am afraid. Another reason I rate Troy Bayliss so highly...he was the antithesis of Rossi.

Mick and Wayne just rode the wheels of what ever bike they were given and preferred to let their riding do the talking.....for me this was all the entertainment I ever needed. Much the same way Stoner does now!

digger · Apr 5, 2011

Burky said:
I think this pretty much sums up how most long time followers of 'road racing' see this.

For you Rossi boppers out there, let's get one thing clear. This is the shittiest era of 'road racing' I can recall in my 44 years!!! The only saving grace for Moto GP weekends is the Moto 2 class.

As for a world without Valentino.... it will never happen. The brand has been sold, you are hooked!

Do you blame Rossi for this ...... era in road racing?

digger · Apr 5, 2011

Mr Squiggle said:
My favourite riders are listed below my name. My all time favourite was Mick Doohan.

I would say he contributed greatly to the sport and was a very worthy multiple champion who came back after severe injuries to conquer all before him. I cant recall him ever moaning about having his leg nearly amputated and seeing him when he hobbled back on the bike end of 92 season to try to stave off another of my all time favourites Wayne Rainey to the title was very hard to watch. It was bravery personified!

Valentino Rossi has also contributed enormously to the sport....perhaps more so than any other single rider....but not all that contribution is positive. It is the way his fans behave that I find most annoying. Go read crash.net articles about yesterdays "racing incident" to see what I mean. According to many posters on there it is Stoner who is the villain.

I also believe Mick was a more complete rider. He began his career far later in life than Vale. Rossi has been in the circus since age 15. Doohan I think rode his first race at age 25...if Mick had an extra 10 years of racing at the highest level he may have added many more titles to his resume - ifs, buts, maybes.

Wayne Rainey was also a giant of the sport. His rear wheel control was as good as any I have seen. If he had not have crashed that fateful day he may also have way more than 4 world titles to his name.

Both men rode through the pain barrier of several nasty injuries and never mentioned the difficulties that they were having - check out Doohans injury at Laguna were he was rolling aound the track after crashing into a concrete wall and broke his scapula....it looked like his arm was attached via his leathers. They just rode hard and were AMAZING to watch. True Gladiators!

Contrast this with Rossi. He has never really had to deal with adversity before his injuries last year....save for a broken wrist which he rode with at a few races. His recent shoulder injury has ben mentioned at every possible opportunity....12 months after he did this injury. I have crashed a bike and injured my AC joint and I do realise how long shoulder injuries can take to heal and hamper your performance on a 240 BHP MGP missile. However he has had the best medical care money can buy and still 12 months later we hear of this problem ALL THE TIME.

I dont believe it would be impeding his outright speed as much as he is saying and he is using it as a rues to deflect pressure from his so far underwhelming performance on the Ducati GP11. It may be having an effect more on his stamina. Who knows... I am just pontificating...the only person that really knows is Rossi himself and previously he has used deception as way of keeping his rivals guessing....the so called "mind games" and "sandbagging" which is why I dont believe him now.

I used to be a HUGE Rossi fan. But I am not anymore and I can honestly say I wont be sorry to see him finally leave the sport and take all his "fans" with him so we can hopefully return to parity for all riders...but I doubt that will happen with the powers that be who control the sport these days having unreasonable influence on a riders opportunities due to their passports.

I dont give a .... about riders poncing around with blow up dolls and staging mock celebrations. I cant ever imagine Mick D or Wayne R unfurling a massive banner of photos of themselves - they just werent that egocentric. Rossi is truly a GREAT rider but also an attention whore who uses every dirty trick in the book to win - not my style of winner I am afraid. Another reason I rate Troy Bayliss so highly...he was the antithesis of Rossi.

Mick and Wayne just rode the wheels of what ever bike they were given and preferred to let their riding do the talking.....for me this was all the entertainment I ever needed. Much the same way Stoner does now!

Well said squiggle (is that a ref to Garry Mcoy btw?)

Thats the sort of answer i was trying to extract from someone, and coming from you, who not long ago put a verbal bullet in valentinos forehead, is even better. It just seems to me that there has been so much hate thrown at this man, that people are beginning to forget that he ever had a good side to him aswell, and that he has contributed a lot to the sport.

Mr Squiggle · Apr 5, 2011

Yes Garry McCoy was also known as Mr Squiggle

I certainly dont hate Vale...hate is such an ugly word. But I loathe his modus operandi.

Carl Fogarty and John Koscinski were two other villains that seemed to have no redeeming qualities as human beings..I like Valentino far more than either of those 2.

stiefel · Apr 5, 2011

I was drawn to this threat by its title and haven't had time yet to really read to posts.

Still I would like to say, purely answering the topic title, that up until last weekend I was not a fan of Rossi. Yet even though I was rooting for others (yes, especially Stoner), I very much wanted him to at least be competitive. I never wished him ill. I did not gloat at his crash last year, but was genuinly concerned for his well being.

Last weekend has changed that for me. A world without Rossi, you ask? I believe Rossi is the poison that ruins Motogp. I will be glad when he is gone.

McKneZ · Apr 5, 2011

He is the poison, a drug, a god...that somany love, is addictive to him, have faith in him, are blind... it was like that for the whole time in human history. Ppl need him.

And ppl give lots of money watch the sport becouse of him. ITS NOT FAIR, BUT THAT IS HOW IT WORKS! Open your whatever color eyes

ATLEST HE MAKES THE RACING MORE FUN...close and entertaining. He is overrated im sure, and not such a nice person as he looks (its tough to be in that bussines), but ppl dont know that and lots of ppl dont care, they just watch the race and read about him...but MUCH less like we are!

He will be missed...very! Even with all the advatages he is still a 9 times wc, and had a brilliant races... its not so easy to do that and i respect him alot, but im not blind or seeing things in yellow.

Peace ...and enjoy it. Life is short, dont be so hard on your self and seeing things so negative!

Have a nice day

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A world without Valentino Rossi

Mental Anarchist

Jumkie

Tekniqs

Mr Squiggle

Mental Anarchist

digger

33 Coupe

Mental Anarchist

digger

Jumkie

Burky

digger

BarryMachine

J4rn0

Mr Squiggle

digger

digger

Mr Squiggle

stiefel

McKneZ

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