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Curse of the No 1 plate

T

Talpa

Joined Jul 2009
2K Posts | 50+
Alaska
Poor Jorge........I'm not too sure many here actually feel sorry for him, however he did display masterful talent on the weekend after being boned by Sic.



Which leads to the 'Curse of the No 1 Plate'



Not since the era of Mick Doohan has the No 1 plate seen anymore than one season consecutively from any rider, if fact it has only been used in competition 5 times since then (1999) and on all four occasions not including the 2011 season, the rider/team adorning the top No on his bike has failed to defend his title successfully. Interestingly enough, it hasn't been around too much in WSBK either, and Max is not looking too good for that title at present. IMO the No 1 plate adds a lot of psychological pressure to the team and the rider, which has lead to some rather famous riders choosing not to use it (Rossi/Bayliss)



As it stands Jorge seems to be facing an incredible uphill battle to successfully defend the title this year, even without bad luck like last weekend, with the return of Dani, Sic's woes bound to end soon, Rossi finally sorting the Duck, and Stoner's ever continuing speed. Will the curse of the No 1 plate continue? I have no doubt now it will.
 
Interesting thought... To memory I think that during the years surrounding the Doohan era, it was common or expected that riders would display their finishing position in the previous years championship as their race number in the current season. I think that Kevin Schwantz was the exception with #34? Up until 1995 Doohan hadn't had the same racing number 2 years in a row, so I guess that he was happy to display #1 & it became his permanent number then until his forced retirement...



As you say, many since then have followed KS's lead & preferred to stick with one number...



Hey did Hayden use the #1 plate in 2007? I can't remember seeing it...
 
muzzy57 said:
Interesting thought... To memory I think that during the years surrounding the Doohan era, it was common or expected that riders would display their finishing position in the previous years championship as their race number in the current season. I think that Kevin Schwantz was the exception with #34? Up until 1995 Doohan hadn't had the same racing number 2 years in a row, so I guess that he was happy to display #1 & it became his permanent number then until his forced retirement...



As you say, many since then have followed KS's lead & preferred to stick with one number...



Hey did Hayden use the #1 plate in 2007? I can't remember seeing it...
Click to expand...

He sure did

12228:Nicky Hayden 2007 Honda.jpg]



I wonder how much personal merchandise marketing has to do with riders keeping a number rather than display a season finishing number ?
 

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chopperman said:
I wonder how much personal merchandise marketing has to do with riders keeping a number rather than display a season finishing number ?
Click to expand...



I think a lot!



I don't buy into this curse crap either. The fact is that only one man since Doohan has won back to back titles
 
Reverse the curse: Do you think Valentino Rossi wouldn't have won 5 titles while carrying the number 1 plate?



The fact that there's been a few 1-year champions merely demonstrates the level of competition. At the start of this year (in theory) there were at least 3, and possibly 4 riders who had a legitimate shot at the title. Last year, there were 4 riders with a legitimate shot at the title. That number has been smaller in previous years.
 
i think kevin used no1 in 94

the one who didnt while being champion was barry sheene

i think a number is not a reason to put pressure to people

i mean at least, people that know that they actually are the best

and know that numbers dont lie so they need no reminder

and its too early to say that lorenzo has failed to defend his title

if someone can beat stoner this year its him ..i hope he makes it
 
Kropotkin said:
Reverse the curse: Do you think Valentino Rossi wouldn't have won 5 titles while carrying the number 1 plate?



The fact that there's been a few 1-year champions merely demonstrates the level of competition. At the start of this year (in theory) there were at least 3, and possibly 4 riders who had a legitimate shot at the title. Last year, there were 4 riders with a legitimate shot at the title. That number has been smaller in previous years.
Click to expand...





Yes it is interesting, I think Rossi use to run the no 1 on his leathers instead from memory. And Maybe, maybe not. IMO Rossi's competition during the 'Five' straight was a lot stronger than most like to remember, probably with the exception of the early 990 years 02-03.



I believe there is certainly interesting facts around it, as since Doohans time.....Crivelle, Roberts, Stoner and now potentially Lorenzo all pretty well dominated or were extremely consistent the years they won the title, and all by a fair margin (at least 50-60 points) with the exception of Hayden (5 points).
 
Talpa said:
Yes it is interesting, I think Rossi use to run the no 1 on his leathers instead from memory. And Maybe, maybe not. IMO Rossi's competition during the 'Five' straight was a lot stronger than most like to remember, probably with the exception of the early 990 years 02-03.



I believe there is certainly interesting facts around it, as since Doohans time.....Crivelle, Roberts, Stoner and now potentially Lorenzo all pretty well dominated or were extremely consistent the years they won the title, and all by a fair margin (at least 50-60 points) with the exception of Hayden (5 points).
Click to expand...

Some marketing involved in the number 46, and an emotional attachment (?his father's number or something) but rossi is reputedly quite superstitious anyway.



I wonder what stoner will do if he wins again, which won't be by a large margin unless something happens to jorge; number 1 was arguably better for him in 2008 than number 27 in 2009 and 2010.
 
michaelm said:
Some marketing involved in the number 46, and an emotional attachment (?his father's number or something) but rossi is reputedly quite superstitious anyway.



I wonder what stoner will do if he wins again, which won't be by a large margin unless something happens to jorge; number 1 was arguably better for him in 2008 than number 27 in 2009 and 2010.
Click to expand...



Ain't that the truth...
<




I think that Casey would be happy to run #1 again, albeit with #27 inside maybe?



None of the golden era riders such as Gardner, Lawson, Rainey et al ever had a worry with running #1 so I hope that the practice of using it continues... Methinks Vale would have won his titles regardless of which number happened to adorn he & his machine
<
 
michaelm said:
Some marketing involved in the number 46, and an emotional attachment (?his father's number or something) but rossi is reputedly quite superstitious anyway.



I wonder what stoner will do if he wins again, which won't be by a large margin unless something happens to jorge; number 1 was arguably better for him in 2008 than number 27 in 2009 and 2010.
Click to expand...



I think he will keep 27, rumour was Ducati pushed him to take on the number 1 plate as they wanted it on the bike, not because Stoner wanted it.
 
Lorenzo is still there, quite strong, and could win the title. Stoner has statistics against him: I think so far no premiere class world champion ever won the title again, after failing to win it for three years in row. Agostini and Rossi won it again after losing it for two consecutive years. NO other rider has ever recovered from a losing streak longer than two years.



Well, to be honest Stoner could well be the first one who does...
smile.gif
 
Talpa said:
Poor Jorge........I'm not too sure many here actually feel sorry for him, however he did display masterful talent on the weekend after being boned by Sic.



Which leads to the 'Curse of the No 1 Plate'



Not since the era of Mick Doohan has the No 1 plate seen anymore than one season consecutively from any rider, if fact it has only been used in competition 5 times since then (1999) and on all four occasions not including the 2011 season, the rider/team adorning the top No on his bike has failed to defend his title successfully. Interestingly enough, it hasn't been around too much in WSBK either, and Max is not looking too good for that title at present. IMO the No 1 plate adds a lot of psychological pressure to the team and the rider, which has lead to some rather famous riders choosing not to use it (Rossi/Bayliss)



As it stands Jorge seems to be facing an incredible uphill battle to successfully defend the title this year, even without bad luck like last weekend, with the return of Dani, Sic's woes bound to end soon, Rossi finally sorting the Duck, and Stoner's ever continuing speed. Will the curse of the No 1 plate continue? I have no doubt now it will.
Click to expand...



I remember down at the island last year Lorenzo got booed pretty bad, which was really ridiculous. Curse of the No 1 Plate? i don't believe that, just as annoying as some of the ridiculous superstitious rituals riders go through. Honestly, i think its a bit too early to write off lorenzo just yet. Its good to see the the #1 out there, you earn it you should run it
 
Talpa said:
Yes it is interesting, I think Rossi use to run the no 1 on his leathers instead from memory. And Maybe, maybe not. IMO Rossi's competition during the 'Five' straight was a lot stronger than most like to remember, probably with the exception of the early 990 years 02-03.



I believe there is certainly interesting facts around it, as since Doohans time.....Crivelle, Roberts, Stoner and now potentially Lorenzo all pretty well dominated or were extremely consistent the years they won the title, and all by a fair margin (at least 50-60 points) with the exception of Hayden (5 points).
Click to expand...





.... Talps, you better fix this up before our American friends jumped online - you have a large glaring omission
<


















Hayden

















Gaz
 
<




it's always better when someone else smacks you with a wet sponge gaz! Hmmmm reminds me of Vegas......
 
Talpa said:
<




it's always better when someone else smacks you with a wet sponge gaz! Hmmmm reminds me of Vegas......
Click to expand...



That it is, but unfortunately the wife always manages to hide a brick in the sponge
<








But at a recent party we did see a sponge .............. oh, never mind











Gaz
 

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