something im surprised no one has bought up (shouldnt be really...) is that one of the reasons VR left italy was because of the effect that fame had started to have on his life. Apparently it was really hard for him to even leave the house for being mobbed everywhere by crazy fans. Now, all things being equal, he probably has the same issues in the UK
Ive also heard he has also had his fair share of the media kicking the .... out of him. Im guessing in 2006 and 2007 his name would have been dragged through the mud quite a bit in the Italian press. Maybe J4rno can shed some light on this one?
I suppose everything has its good and bad points, good being shitloads of cash, ride fast bikes for a living. Bad, media issues and anything resembling a normal life dissapearing. Just remember its not just CS that cops ...., im sure most of the top riders in the world go through it at some point, Casey just got the worst of it.
I disagree mate, Biaggi and gibbers have copped a .... load, and did far less to fuel the fire than Stoner has. Rossi has copped plenty, tax, 2006 in general, 2007 in general, the entire Ducati fiasco, Rossi has seen more .... slung than any of them.
And before this, Kosinski copped it, (well deserved!) Criville copped it, Doohan, Beattie, Schwantz, Lawson. etc. Nothing new, just another excuse from the boners......
Joined Apr 2011
636 Posts | 26+
Gold Coast
Funny you say that talps, anytime I see a post on Facebook regarding a motogp race, 75% of the posts are people ragging on VR hard. He certainly is copping it from fans and media alike.
I think it all boils down to one sentence... Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
I think it all boils down to one sentence... Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
Exactly, and whatever the future holds, the man has had hundreds of millions in the bank for years, walking away is easy after nine titles, staying there and trying to win-on a pig of a bike (and engineering division!) in your elder racing years, whilst being publicly flogged by the media and the fans is the complete opposite of easy......and this is why I respect him, and this is why he has achieved more than any other in the modern era........
Name any premier class world champion, or any world champion in any real sport, who copped what stoner did in 2009.
Name any premier class world champion whose championship was discounted as unfairly as stoner's 2007 championship ( I will give you nicky hayden, but that hardly helps your case).
As far as criticism of valentino goes, criticising his riding or achievements is equivalent to criticising albert einstein's rating as a physicist, michael jordan's as a basketballer, or wayne gretzky's as an ice hockey player.
However, "stoner is not riding the ducati hard enough" does come under the heading of hubris and nemesis, imo.
Let 'it go, dude. Stoner will always have his haters, and there is nothing he can do (or anyone can say) that will make 'em think otherwise. No wonder he wants out. It seems that a lot of the hate comes from Brits (on this forum, anyway). They hate seeing Aussies win. I've had a few British friends over the years, and some of them seem to love nothing more than see an Aussie/s fail. Must be a complex or jealousy syndrome of some kind. I don't really understand it, myself. I'm an Australian citizen, but I don't get off on seeing the English lose. After all, they are my ancestors.
I had a Portuguese friend at school many years ago. And he made the point to me that he couldn't understand the contempt between Australians and English, because he always felt that Brazilians were his cousins or brothers. If Brazil was in a sporting event, he would always be hoping for them to win.
Anyway, I don't give a ..... All that hate won't stop me for cheering on Cal each race. I like the guy. Also, to all my English brothers, have a good and successful Olympics, ya miserable sods!
Joined Jul 2007
5K Posts | 1K+
unda cheese
Let 'it go, dude. Stoner will always have his haters, and there is nothing he can do (or anyone can say) that will make 'em think otherwise. No wonder he wants out. It seems that a lot of the hate comes from Brits (on this forum, anyway). They hate seeing Aussies win. I've had a few British friends over the years, and some of them seem to love nothing more than see an Aussie/s fail. Must be a complex or jealousy syndrome of some kind. I don't really understand it, myself. I'm an Australian citizen, but I don't get off on seeing the English lose. After all, they are my ancestors.
I had a Portuguese friend at school many years ago. And he made the point to me that he couldn't understand the contempt between Australians and English, because he always felt that Brazilians were his cousins or brothers. If Brazil was in a sporting event, he would always be hoping for them to win.
Anyway, I don't give a ..... All that hate won't stop me for cheering on Cal each race. I like the guy. Also, to all my English brothers, have a good and successful Olympics, ya miserable sods!
This is a long term thing I have had with talpa (who is actually an aussie) and is only semi-serious these days.
I am certainly going for cal next year (unless valentino rides for kevin schwantz suzuki), and cal is admired by the australians on here almost universally, including by barry.
I haven't been on this forum long. Is Talpa one of these guys that's just taking the piss?
I don't think so, but he is a fan of the sport as well as a genuine long term valentino fan and motivated mainly by the latter rather than hatred for stoner, in my view. I can't let him get away with too much though.
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
Let 'it go, dude. Stoner will always have his haters, and there is nothing he can do (or anyone can say) that will make 'em think otherwise. No wonder he wants out. It seems that a lot of the hate comes from Brits (on this forum, anyway). They hate seeing Aussies win. I've had a few British friends over the years, and some of them seem to love nothing more than see an Aussie/s fail. Must be a complex or jealousy syndrome of some kind. I don't really understand it, myself. I'm an Australian citizen, but I don't get off on seeing the English lose. After all, they are my ancestors.
I had a Portuguese friend at school many years ago. And he made the point to me that he couldn't understand the contempt between Australians and English, because he always felt that Brazilians were his cousins or brothers. If Brazil was in a sporting event, he would always be hoping for them to win.
Anyway, I don't give a ..... All that hate won't stop me for cheering on Cal each race. I like the guy. Also, to all my English brothers, have a good and successful Olympics, ya miserable sods!
Its not just the Aussies mate, Brits I think are generally miserable and spiteful. My Mrs is American and even before meeting her I spent quite a bit of time over there and loved it. Sure, nowhere is paradise but they are certainly more cheerful than people here. The main difference I found is this: If you do well in the US people are genuinely pleased for you on the whole, be it a lottery win or an acheivement. From my experience, doing the same in the UK? You get resented for it. "Lucky ......., why does he deserve it and not me"...I suffered for years in school because I happened to be very good at what I enjoyed doing (Racing)..very few people (even adults) congratulated me, most mocked me or tried to negate my acheivements.
You, reckon the weather has anything to do with it? I'm not taking the piss, but I know when I haven't seen the sun for a while I start to feel... well, efen miserable! And I actually like overcast weather! I haven't been to the UK (will definitely go one day, though) but it seems like the sun is never out. Being from Wales, would you agree with that?
It must be said, Australians are 'knockers' as well. Thanks for sharing your insights...
It must be said, Australians are 'knockers' as well. Thanks for sharing your insights...
Yeah, I must admit, you make some valid points here.
I think Kosinski was in a league of his own when it came to shootin' his mouth off, though. And he didn't go on to achieve what was expected - for memory, he was gonna be the next 'big thing' at the time. But he didn't seem to cop that much hate though. Then again, I don't recall there being internet forums when he was in GP.... I can't remember what most fans thought about him. Personally, I thought he was a bit too cocky.
With all due respect Talps your view (and it is your opinion to which you are well entitled) is somewhat skewed is it not?
Stoner has never "forcibly taken Rossi off track" (Biaggi)
Stoner did not protest Rossi to officialdom (Gibbers)
All have criticised Rossi at some stage for riding they felt was dangerous
Stoner did not accuse Rossi of dangerous riding, nor protest to officials when taken out by Rossi (Gibbers)
Stoner has not maintained a constant level of personal attack on Rossi since the late 1990's to the current day (Biaggi , and granted Stoner is not the most complimentary of Rossi but he generally does not mention by name)
Totally disagree to a point on the highlighted section but will return to that but let me ask, elsewhere in this thread appears a comment that (paraphrased and taken a little from context) says 'you reap what you sow'. Does this apply in the case of Rossi above?
IMO, no it does not as whilst he did receive extremely harsh press due to the taxation issue one must not overlook that effectively he had done an act that was essentially 'borderline legal'' and was found out (he being contributory by way of accepting the advice he was provided). Certainly he was ridiculed and pilloried in the Italian press whilst in Australia the issue received little (by way of comparison) attention, but yes was mentioned.
In 2006/2007 I simply cannot recall to much negative press from mainstream motorcycle media (where that media was not Hayden/Stoner focused) as Rossi was generally always mentioned positively in terms of no real or adverse negativity. Certainly forums however were different and there was a distinct 'bash' forcus and dare I say 'willing' of Rossi to fail.
Now, with regards to the highlighted comment dare I suggest that whilst the comment may be essentially true (ir a word count was undertaken) I would counter by saying that he has also had the most positive press across his career. Essentially the sheer fact remains that Rossi due to his profile is news, good or bad he is news and as such he will always be subject to media comment and with the sheer weight of numbers involved it is only fair to expect that he will be on the receiving end immensely (not fair in terms of deservingly)
IMO, Rossi has and continues to receive far more positive press (note press = media, not forum press) in terms of total typographical numbers than any other over the last 10 or so years. This whether fair or unfair is because of the profile that has been built and the simple fact as one is often reminded that he has 9 world titles and as such is newsworthy whether he wins or fails.
Kocinski was not really around long enough to be on the receiving end as have Rossi, Stoner, Biaggi etc but totally agree in that what he did receive was deserved to a very large extent, but IMO he was great value to watch ride but a pure ........ (knocking Slight off anyone?)
The others all received food and bad press but being the days before the internet all was in the mainstream press so it can hardly be compared, but even then I cannot recall any of them receiving the pure levels of hatred and vitriol (and alternately the godlike adulation) of the likes of Rossi and/or Stoner
EDIT:
IMO, when comparing Stoner, Gibbers, Biaggi and Rossi all have performed actions that have made them vulnerable to the 'bad' that comes with being in the public eye, but I remain totally unconvinced that any have performed actions over and above that of the others that makes them more deserving of the commonly spewed vitriol that pervades the internet today.
I reckon you could be onto something there mick, being from Glasgow Scotland, we're used to relentless ..... weather and it def gets me down. I reckon its solely responsible for the dour attitude that us scots are known for. The weather down south, like London etc is generally quite a bit warmer than up here...they're lucky .......s...dont deserve it etc etc haha
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Must be bloody woeful up there where BrashPete is from then!!
Mind you I think we have your weather ATM.
Must be bloody woeful up there where BrashPete is from then!!
Mind you I think we have your weather ATM.
Yeah, the weather has been ....! Winter started early, and will probably finish late! Explain that, global warming theorists...
Must be bloody woeful up there where BrashPete is from then!!
Mind you I think we have your weather ATM.
Haha, this is true! He's a good bit closer to what is officially classed as the wettest place in Scotland...
The weather seems to be pish everywhere at the moment. They had hosepipe bans down south about a month ago, now theres flooding everywhere!
