Being Valentino Rossi...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]104084[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

And yes, of course Rossi has more influence than any other rider. This whole tire issue has played out for the world to see proved this reality.................


He does have more influence than any other rider but he does not have more influence than Honda, or than the Repsol-Pedrosa combination.

Anyway the key point here is that he did not use his influence to gain some head start or unfair advantage, but just to get the rubber he wants. I see this (to be able to get the rubber one wants) as perfectly legitimate, I am convinced rubber should be a commodity each rider/team should be able to choose at will. Suspensions and brakes (read Ohlins and Brembo) are treated as commodoties and made readily available to everyone who orders them - why not the tyres?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BigAl @ Dec 12 2007, 05:17 AM) [snapback]104108[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
because michelin was still the tyre of choice at the beginning of 2007. only now have the b'stones become desirable because they are winning and so, every team wants them...

Outstanding point, this fact has been lost in the shuffle of debate many times. But yes, Bridgestone was trying to get a share of what was once only a Michelin domain. When trying to get a piece of the pie, you don't go putting up barriers rather you try to attract good teams and riders to try your product. Then you do the hard and expensive work of developing it. As a matter of fact, it was Michelin who were limiting their best stuff to those top teams and riders to maintain their strangle hold on the MotoGP field. In other words, they created demand by making their best product accessible only to the best, while making satellite and privateer teams pay for their tires while freely giving them free to Yamaha and Honda. Fact.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]104084[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
...................
Agree with assessment of Honda's treatment of Hayden here.
I agree with you that Honda miscalculated their strategy on making Peders the theme of their engineering, however, I think its a stretch to say that Honda's miscalculation somehow propelled Ducati's dominance. Casey Stoner and his Ducati/Bstones dominated the field, however, take Casey out of the equation, and you have a season where Loris, the other factory Ducati/Bstone painfully struggled.

.........................


Honda have been treating Hayden like ...., I think he should have gone to Ducati. I think he is one of the very few, after Stoner, (and Rossi) who could manage to tame the Ducati wild horse.

I agree with you Honda's plans went wrong only because a unique set of random circumstances - I do believe the Stoner-Ducati-Bridgestones combination has his strongest pillar in Stoner, and that Ducati would not have won with any other rider (other than Rossi) in 2007. Their bike is just to difficult to ride. I have stated this in this forum and you can see Stoner among my favourite riders because I recognize his greatness.

But this amuses me even more! The irony of manipulation going wrong, even by the narrowest of chances...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]104084[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
......................
"Do you work for Honda by any chance?" Wow, you seem to know their strategy. Honda fields the most bikes because they have a much bigger budget. Its not just that they want to beat Rossi, but that they want to win period...................


Honda always want to win, true, but regarding Rossi they declared their will to beat him openly. At the end of 2003 Kanazawa declared 'we will beat Valentino Rossi'. They did not just deploy many bikes on many sat teams, but they went out of their way and gave full factory support to any sat rider (like Gibernau) who demonstrated he could fight Rossi. They failed for two years in a row and they were plain furious. Heads were falling. At the end of 2005 they began pushing really strong for the change of formula, convinced the 800cc formula suited them just fine. It did not go according to their plan in 2007, but in 2008 it could well prove them right.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Dec 12 2007, 04:24 PM) [snapback]104130[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

It's just a culture clash. In Europe maximizing the number of opinions seems to be part of a cooperative understanding? (gross)

In America, intelligent people are taught to be focused sectarians (the proper way to do things).

Does that surprise you considering how we got here? Now who's being unaccommodating? Actually it's still us. But hopefully you realize you can't maintain your silly ideology unless you're willing to play by our lowly, uncivilized rules too.



Ah yes, once more a reminder that all great things come from the U.S.A., like conspiracy theories, Watergate and Oliver Stone! Nothing good has ever come from Europe.......give me a break, and read a couple of history books that contain more the 200 years of history and stop being silly, your making your countrymen look bad.


Edit note:
P.S. Could we please get back to racing and stay off each others cultural backgrounds or this could get ugly real quick.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(citadina @ Dec 12 2007, 11:14 AM) [snapback]104147[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Ah yes, once more a reminder that all great things come from the U.S.A., like conspiracy theories, Watergate and Oliver Stone! Nothing good has ever come from Europe.......give me a break, and read a couple of history books that contain more the 200 years of history and stop being silly, your making your countrymen look bad.



Hate the playa, don't hate the game. I know plenty of good stuff that came from Europe............1/2 of all Americans!

It was tongue and cheek, that means it was grossly overstated for the purposes of being hyperbolic--the same way goatboy was in his post--talking about the lowest of the low and such.

Sorry if I come across as an ideological imperialist, but imperialism is so awesome, I can't help but emulate it. If some arrogant monarch hadn't decided the globe belonged to English speaking people I'd be hacking out a meaningless existence on a war torn continent in some socialist enclave getting what other people think is fair for me to have. Thankfully, I have a good job, a lite-beer gut, a lady friend, a couple of Duc's in my climate controlled mini-mansion of a garage............... and a soapbox and the internet.................and no guilt, cause I was born in the 1980's not the 1880's.

Sorry I went back into shameless American fanboy mode. It's just that............well, if I can't be happy at someone else's expense I don't know if I want to live.

Will someone please crack a smile already. Don't take life so seriously. Besides, if it makes you feel any better I'm not fat or rich. I might be arrogant but that's what happens when you're fat and rich.

As far as 2008, I think Honda probably have the best package, with Pedrosa at the helm. Even so, they are still heavily reliant upon Michelin to deliver the goods.

If Michelin deliver a world beating tire in 2008 it will be the weirdest season ever. Nicky and Pedrosa will be huge favorites to win, and Jorge, Edwards, Toseland, RDP will all have an outside shot!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Dec 12 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]104148[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

Sorry I went back into shameless American fanboy mode. It's just that............well, if I can't be happy at someone else's expense I don't know if I want to live.

Will someone please crack a smile already. Don't take life so seriously. Besides, if it makes you feel any better I'm not fat or rich. I might be arrogant but that comes with being fat and rich.

As far as 2008, I think Honda probably have the best package, with Pedrosa at the helm. Even so, they are still heavily reliant upon Michelin to deliver the goods.

If Michelin deliver a world beating tire in 2008 it will be the weirdest season ever. Nicky and Pedrosa will be huge favorites to win, and Jorge, Edwards, Toseland, RDP will all have an outside shot!


Good thing for you I happen to like fat rich guys! There is your smile

It will be a bombshell if Michelin starts doing some serious development next year. I think it will take some serious restructuring of their whole system for that to happen though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 01:01 PM) [snapback]104140[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well MotoGP is a sport full of passion, so I'll take this as a compliment. Thanks.
I'm not sure what facts you dispute here:

Fact: Rossi was contracted on a two-man team.
Fact: Rossi was contracted to run Michelins.
Fact: Michelins have perennially been the dominant tire.
Fact: Bridgestone has made major development strides.
Fact: Bridgestone announced to the world they would NOT supply more.
Fact: Rossi demands Bridgestones. As a few others do.
Fact: Dorna threatens a spec tire.
Fact: Bridgestone reneges on previous stand, supplies Rossi only.
Fact: The two-man team is dissolved.

Now, as a thinking rationale person, can we deduce a fair assessment of the implications these turn of events indicate about the politics and priorities of the sport, and deduce some truth? This is done all the time in our daily lives. Am I to believe that reliable explanations are lost because sport is passionate? Certainly passion can be a hindrance if one fails not to see what the facts indicated about a particular chain of events. There is a saying here about politicos, “Sometimes they don’t let the facts get in the way of their policy.” Perhaps the policy of supporting Rossi regardless of some shortcomings is not to be challenged by the facts.
Max Biaggi has been a symbol of disgust by many Rossi supporters throughout the years. It is interesting that both have been highly successful, and this success had made them rivals on and off the track. To add to this, the media exacerbated this story line and many of Rossi’s gullible fans followed suit. However, you may have caught an interview in the Italian media where the interviewer asked Rossi if he was now like Biaggi being that he (Rossi) had complained and blamed about his equipment, Yamaha and Michelin tires to explain his poor performance this year. I thought it interesting that this interviewer basically indicated that Rossi was employing the very same tactics that Biaggi haters have accused him of using. Of course Rossi denied it and said it was 'different'. Which he has done on more than one occasion. But it seems only Biaggi will forever be the guy that complained and blamed his equipment regardless of what Rossi is on record of saying about his own package. So who is right? Well I think a little of both. I think they both had credence about the equipment having issues, and both made undo excuses to rationalize their poor results at times. The difference is that Biaggi is vilified for it, and Rossi is praised for it with sentiments of being a victim. Usually this “oh poor Rossi” mentality is promoted by the Rossi cheerleader s unwilling to let the facts get in the way of their fanaticism. It is noteworthy to mention that of the two men, one was banished from the sport for complaining, the other was propelled in favor of the very equipment that both men cited as issues!

Final note: It is always interesting how ‘some’ Rossi fans have no problem holding Biaggi accountable for what he has said and how he had influenced the sport during his time, but the standard does not apply to his nemesis Rossi. The tired old response is usually a variation of: “I’m just Rossi bashing”, “this is Rossi hate”, “I am blinded by ‘passion’. Etc, etc. When in fact its more a stated view, it may not be your view, but if you so choose, I am willing to debate it. It may not be important in the scope of life, but its fun and entertaining.
Excellent. The ante has risen.


But its ok when Rossi does it because he always throws a post qualifying statement in that makes it sound better.Like this[ My tires is ....,my bike is ....,i have no support from Yamaha,i might retire if i dont get what i want,but Casey ride good.]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]104084[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
What I said sarcastically was that since Dorna, and any other governing body who presents themselves as 'impartial' should stop with the thinly veiled charlatan act and just give him a head start.
Seems to me as if you are using a doubled barrel canon here. If your sarcasm were aimed at Dorna in your first post, you missed me, so to speak. If it was aimed at Rossi I'm afraid it backfired badly, or is Rossi's hunt for unfair advantages his formost quality or allways hunting for the least challanging way to a chapionship his way to go?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>

They want him to win so bad that they will give him preferential treatment at any cost, even to the detriment of a authentic contest. Its good for their business after-all.

At worst, if the plain rumors are ture, they "gave" him the tire he wanted, the same tire the current campion is on. Absolutly no doubt preferential treatment. As a five time champion he should probably be forsed to ride on Avon road tires before we for sure can say he don't recive preferential treatment on the tire side. How about a putting an XT engine into that chassi as well
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>

And yes, of course Rossi has more influence than any other rider. This whole tire issue has played out for the world to see proved this reality.


Now, that's true, nobody can deny that. Part of the reason is that he is one of two bothering to meet at the riders safety meetings, and having a general consern for the sport, unlike some other whiners that shout out to the press in the evening after the race instead of bothering walking over to his own meeting, even complaining on not having an invitation and red carpet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>

Oh yeah, this is when the power dominance of the Ducati was at its peak, and yet even then Rossi was able to stick to Casey like a rash all race. So please, I don't think that Honda's Pedro/Michelin combo had any influence on Rossi's Yamaha/Michelin or Ducati.

So devoting your development resourses on one rider won't affect others?
Then Hayden should have had no problems fighting for the title this year, or? When michelin change attention someone pay for that. Ultimatly Michelin might end up paying the big price for their own priortizing. Well seee.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>

Final note here: Listen, I’m not interested in bashing Rossi on account that some of his apologists chose not to acknowledge the reality of the politics of the sport. Rossi has merited many accolades, some well deserved, and some obliged just a little bit by the powers that be, so it’s less about him and more about the lack of integrity/backbone and lack of neutrality that the governing bodies are willing to preserve.


So; I guess the canons were aimed at Dorna, after all. Good to hear

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>
They have shown that they are businessmen primarily rather than interested in fair and impartial competition.

Let's not forget that what happened is that he changed tire suplier for next year, similar to what gresini did last year. He didn't mount a super charger on the engine and forced Dorna to look away. Doesn't look like uanfair and partial competition to me (Humm, maybe the super charger was a good idea. Should bring the IL4 on par with Honda and ducati )
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>
But what irks me is this non-willingness by 'some' of his fans not to call it for what it is. So you may choose not to ponder the debate and chalk it up to simple Rossi bashing, or you can ponder that there really is an issue here beyond the simple cheerleading for a particular rider.


Well, you repeatedly mention "real World" and "see it for what it is". In my world those things are amongst others to not giving in for any and all rumors that fuel your own suspition and turning those into "facts".
Because your "real world" are filled with little other.

Btw. welcome back Junkie. long time

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 12 2007, 04:01 PM) [snapback]104182[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

Btw. welcome back Junkie. long time

Hi Bafel. Your responses were a bit confusing, either I'm tired or you've significantly lost some language skills. Anyway, perhaps I'm just tired. I will get to your points later, I need some rest. I've been reading threads all day from a few months back. From the looks of it, you haven't lost your willingness to spin Rossi's comments to your favor.

I'll be back tomorrow. I still have much work to do on this issue of "preferential treatment." So don't worry, I'll be back to break down and expose every single ill conceived and iniquitous justification & rationalization for Rossi getting exceptional and favored treatment in MotoGP--to the detriment of the integrity of the sport.

(Well you didn't think I'd let you off the hook that easy would you?)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 09:07 PM) [snapback]104190[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Hi Bafel. Your responses were a bit confusing, either I'm tired or you've significantly lost some language skills. Anyway, perhaps I'm just tired. I will get to your points later, I need some rest. I've been reading threads all day from a few months back. From the looks of it, you haven't lost your willingness to spin Rossi's comments to your favor.

I'll be back tomorrow. I still have much work to do on this issue of "preferential treatment." So don't worry, I'll be back to break down and expose every single ill conceived and iniquitous justification & rationalization for Rossi getting exceptional and favored treatment in MotoGP--to the detriment of the integrity of the sport.

(Well you didn't think I'd let you off the hook that easy would you?)


Your pissing in the wind my man.Its been explained in more ways than you can count, but they still dont get the concept.It doesnt register to them that threats by the governing dody to benefit 1 rider is wrong, as long as that 1 rider is y ou know who.Some know and turn their head and just say,he deserves it.Some come up with a goofy ... comments about superchargers,and suspension parts,others have it so bad they would be willing to let Rossi pick which bike he wanted to finish the season on during summer break.They dont get the concept of team,all they know is their god is not winning and they dont care what transpires as long as its good for Rossi.Have at it,but your waisting your time.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 13 2007, 03:07 AM) [snapback]104190[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Hi Bafel. Your responses were a bit confusing, either I'm tired or you've significantly lost some language skills.

That, Junkie, was of course 100% intentional and ment in the very best way. HA HA HA
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>
I'll be back tomorrow. I still have much work to do on this issue of "preferential treatment." So don't worry, I'll be back to break down and expose every single ill conceived and iniquitous justification & rationalization for Rossi getting exceptional and favored treatment in MotoGP--to the detriment of the integrity of the sport.

(Well you didn't think I'd let you off the hook that easy would you?)


I had no such thoughts what so ever. I've allready booked time in my calender for this

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(povol @ Dec 13 2007, 03:39 AM) [snapback]104191[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Your pissing in the wind my man.Its been explained in more ways than you can count, but they still dont get the concept.It doesnt register to them that threats by the governing dody to benefit 1 rider is wrong, as long as that 1 rider is y ou know who.


Well, you surly got that wrong, I've stated before that if Dorna go out with threats to B.stone thats not good at alll. But just like in your posts Jumkie turn what you very nicely called "Consept" into facts, but they are not, they are just rumors, or "consepts" if you like. On the other hand, your position is very understandable as you openly admit to hate Rossi for reciving rumored favors he didn't ask for.

The real issue here is:
1. Does a rider have the right to change tire suplier at the end the supplier contract? Yes/No
2. Did Dorna put pressure on B.Stone to force them to supply Rossi. Yes/No

For the #2 I'm not sure. There were definatly talks between them and probably an expressed wish from Dorna to let Rossi have his request granted. But if that turned out as threats is an different matter. I'm not saying it didn't happen, and if so I don't like it. But to me there is a long way from rumors to facts. I guess you see that differently.

Motogp is not a sport it's a business and Dorna will do what ever it takes to keep that business going. If it means keeping one of their key riders happy ie Rossi, then so be it.

As I've mentioned in other posts I believe the wrong person has been winning....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 13 2007, 06:32 AM) [snapback]104198[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
The real issue here is:
1. Does a rider have the right to change tire suplier at the end the supplier contract? Yes/No
2. Did Dorna put pressure on B.Stone to force them to supply Rossi. Yes/No

1. The michelin contract was up, and I am unaware of any rider previously being required to show loyalty to a brand of tyre. Casey stoner in fact changed tyres this year, and had similar views to valentino about the support he was getting from michelin, but he expressed them much more vehemently.
2. This is a more plausible concern. Rossi himself said he pressured yamaha rather than dorna. The problem as I see it was not rossi switching brands, but that his switch might precipitate the withdrawal of michelin from motogp. This leaves at least 4 other parties( michelin, bridgestone, yamaha and dorna) who were quite likely playing games even if rossi was also doing so. It is easy for bridgestone to be holier than thou when they are in the most perfect situation they could have imagined, ie michelin, hrc, yamaha, and the two riders favoured for the championship at its start being beaten, and the aforesaid riders saying it is down to their tyres. Of course maintaining the status quo suits them fine. I did not notice any complaint that dorna had manipulated michelin into making a significant concession to bridgestone when the new tyre regulations came in, although such a concession was undoubtedly made.

I don't think rossi required any help from dorna to win his 5 championships; the "yellow flag" incident may be an exception but the details of this have faded in my memory. He always had the best or at least competitive equipment, but this has always been the way for the established talent in motorsport. I don't think stoner will be back on a satellite bike anytime soon unless he does a very large amount of crashing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Dec 12 2007, 06:07 PM) [snapback]104190[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'll be back to break down and expose every single ill conceived and iniquitous justification & rationalization for Rossi getting exceptional and favored treatment in MotoGP--to the detriment of the integrity of the sport.


Yes.

Of course, using iniquitous is redundant because having ill-conceived notions is already a moral abomination. But stupid people wouldn't know that, so you had to dumb it down for them. Genius!

Welcome back Jumkie.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Dec 13 2007, 12:15 AM) [snapback]104202[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I don't think rossi required any help from dorna to win his 5 championships; the "yellow flag" incident may be an exception but the details of this have faded in my memory. He always had the best or at least competitive equipment, but this has always been the way for the established talent in motorsport. I don't think stoner will be back on a satellite bike anytime soon unless he does a very large amount of crashing.


I don't think Rossi had help either. However, if he wins this year it will be tainted b/c it's obvious the governing body intervened to get him the tires he wanted.

Only one guy made the B-stones work over the course of an entire season. Only 1 person got the Michelins to work better than Rossi.

It APPEARS as though he has lobbied his way past both. The appearance of things will be cemented in my mind by another Rossi championship next season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Dec 13 2007, 05:34 PM) [snapback]104239[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I don't think Rossi had help either. However, if he wins this year it will be tainted b/c it's obvious the governing body intervened to get him the tires he wanted.

Only one guy made the B-stones work over the course of an entire season. Only 1 person got the Michelins to work better than Rossi.

It APPEARS as though he has lobbied his way past both. The appearance of things will be cemented in my mind by another Rossi championship next season.


It's really amusing that Rossi changing tire to the same as the current WC is using will taint anything.

Dorna's behaviour in this case does raise some question marks but what ever they did or did not do, they did ikt out of their own will and out of their own interest, not directly by Rossi's demand.
I agree that Rossi does have the most power among the riders, mabe too much, but he is still more than anything a racer that want to win. If he is convinced by studiing the trie battle closer than anyone else out there, that he need the stones to win, should he choose not to go for them because he has so much influence? Me think not.

I think its simple. Rossi realized how good the stones were and there was no way to beat a bike consistently if it were on stines, nuless he was on stones too. In other words the performance gap between the worst bike and the best bike on the grid was narrower than the gap between stones and Michelin (over the entire course of the season). I thought the stones were good, but did not realize show good they were till I saw the Nicky Hayden special on MTV. By race 2 (or 3) Nicky already knew that the stones were far far better Michelin.

What camoflaged the difference in race performance was that the Michelin qualifying tire was better (atleast during the beginning of the season) than the Stones. So, the guys on stones qualified lower, but kicked ... during the race.

Now, may be Rossi does not mind losing. But, made to look like the schmuck by finishing 30 seconds behind the winner was too much to bear -- especially after his 5 championship wins.

Its obvious that MotoGP popularity has soared after Rossi started winning chmpionships. Whether or not Rossi is given too much credit remains to be seen. But, money talks, and if Dorna sees a drop in MotoGP popularity due to his losses, they would do anything to keep him happy. These days, TV audience can be measured precisely. The number of people watching as the race progresses can actually be measured. So, who knows, may be Dorna has seen a drop off in their key markets, every time Rossi falls way behind. So, they are doing as much as it can to keep the audience engaged.

We have to come to grips with the fact that any major sporting event is not sport anymore, it is entertainment. the biggest entertainer is the star of the show. And, right now that star appears to be Rossi.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crvlvr @ Dec 13 2007, 11:18 AM) [snapback]104244[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Its obvious that MotoGP popularity has soared after Rossi started winning chmpionships. Whether or not Rossi is given too much credit remains to be seen. But, money talks, and if Dorna sees a drop in MotoGP popularity due to his losses, they would do anything to keep him happy. These days, TV audience can be measured precisely. The number of people watching as the race progresses can actually be measured. So, who knows, may be Dorna has seen a drop off in their key markets, every time Rossi falls way behind. So, they are doing as much as it can to keep the audience engaged.

We have to come to grips with the fact that any major sporting event is not sport anymore, it is entertainment. the biggest entertainer is the star of the show. And, right now that star appears to be Rossi.


I agree, but this is the despicable baby-boomer way of things that has infested our society. Sport is SPONTANEOUS entertainment that is beholden to the integrity of the contest, the participants, and the competitive environment.

The idea that sport is guided/planned/pre-programmed/fixed/whatever is an amoral short-term approach to boosting profitability. It has no long term staying power with an audience that appreciates true sport. Motogp is on a one way collision course with becoming a mini-series.

Thankfully, that probably won't happen because sooner or later slash and cash techniques of our aging leaders will perish with them, and the ....-sucking early gen-x's who mirror their every move will be wiser and hopefully will avoid the same pit falls.

Don't embrace the degradation of our sport because it seems practical. The best part about sport is that it is completely impractical. It is a world where riding a motorcycle can make you millions, or dunking a basketball can make you an international hero. Sport is completely surreal and entirely real simultaneously. That's why it survives--while even the best made for TV dramas fade away.

I understand they are trying to smooth revenues, but this is the opening of pandora's box. I don't want to wake up one night in my sixties watching MotoGP reruns on Nick-at-Night saying "wow, that was the good old days"