Doohan: "Stoner has mental edge on Rossi"

RCV600RR · Oct 11, 2011

http://www.mcnews.com.au/NewsArchives/2011/October/Stoner_Mental_Edge.htm

“He’s been around for a long while and I think that’s the key with any sportsman or sportswoman – how long can you remain completely immersed in the sport and forget about any outside influences? Rossi’s been around with the 125’s, 250’s, MotoGP; he’s got a lot of titles and a lot of seasons under his belt."

“It’s not really injuries coming in, I think it’s more just getting tired and not wanting to push yourself, whereas somebody like Casey has still got the desire to push himself and win championship after championship."

stiefel · Oct 11, 2011

Interesting, if not mindbogglingly insightful read. As far as Stoner is concerned, Doohan is saying sensible things. I don't know if he's right about Rossi. A good friend of mine is also of the opinion that Rossi is starting to reach the end of his athletic life-cycle and points to countless examples of the greats of other sports (for instance Schumacher).

Although I too believe that Rossi is missing the holy fire at the moment, I also think that as long as he doesn't loose his head completely, he'll be competitive again next year. The new Bridgestones will suit the Ducati much better, this I am sure of.

spooky · Oct 11, 2011

stiefel said:
Interesting, if not mindbogglingly insightful read. As far as Stoner is concerned, Doohan is saying sensible things. I don't know if he's right about Rossi. A good friend of mine is also of the opinion that Rossi is starting to reach the end of his athletic life-cycle and points to countless examples of the greats of other sports (for instance Schumacher).

Although I too believe that Rossi is missing the holy fire at the moment, I also think that as long as he doesn't loose his head completely, he'll be competitive again next year. The new Bridgestones will suit the Ducati much better, this I am sure of.

I dont think you can compare Rossi to Schumi as Rossi hasnt had a couple of years dicking about, i'm pretty sure that if Schumi had stayed in F1, he wouldnt be languishing down in 8th place every weekend.

I think Rossi will be competitive next year but not because of the tyres, i'm hoping its more to do with Ducati building a good bike.

2 wheeled panzer commander · Oct 11, 2011

intresting read and it makes a lot of sense. however its all speculation . rossi knew he would have a challange on his hands going to a new facory ,But i think its a bigger challange than he thought it would be .

at the mo i think its a massive machanical edge as who knowa rossis state of mind.

Jumkie · Oct 11, 2011

Disagree about being "tired" or reaching end of athletic cycle. Its simply the effect of being on a ...... bike.

frethammer · Oct 11, 2011

That or maybe that duc is just so physically demanding to ride? (In a way affecting his mentality)

I remember watching BBC jerez (i think) where they interviewed CS and he said it like that. Also saying that he got so used to riding the duke he had to adjust a little bit riding his Honda. Can't remember clearly.

Though as with any athlete, I'm not really sure whats the right "age" wherein you can all someone "shot/pastprime" in Motogp. Rossi is what? 30? Boxers/MMA fighters are still competitive at those age then suddenly falls or quit around 35 or so. A few more good years for Rossi I think.

Tom · Oct 11, 2011

It's not about his age as much as it is the amount of years he has spent doing the same thing in the same paddock, eventually everyone gets tired of it (relatively speaking) and loses the borderline desperation to succeed that is needed

hawkdriver · Oct 11, 2011

Same way I see it, I was hoping the challenge of being on the Duc could hive him a new fire and intensity but the damn thing is just not to his liking. I hope they get it right as I'm sure if he feels like he has a chance to podium he will still have that ability to dig deep and fight.

Tom said:
It's not about his age as much as it is the amount of years he has spent doing the same thing in the same paddock, eventually everyone gets tired of it (relatively speaking) and loses the borderline desperation to succeed that is needed

stiefel · Oct 11, 2011

Jumkie said:
Disagree about being "tired" or reaching end of athletic cycle. Its simply the effect of being on a ...... bike.

Are you willing to say with a straight face that Rossi is pushing as hard now as he was in 2007-2010, you old fisherman?

RCV600RR · Oct 11, 2011

stiefel said:
Are you willing to say with a straight face that Rossi is pushing as hard now as he was in 2007-2010, you old fisherman?

lol...This article was interesting to me because I heard two different race team managers say the same thing to me that Doohan just said when I asked their opinion about Rossi's performances around mid-point of the season.

stiefel · Oct 11, 2011

RCV600RR said:
lol...This article was interesting to me because I heard two different race team managers say the same thing to me that Doohan just said when I asked their opinion about Rossi's performances around mid-point of the season.

And it's not a far fetched conclusion. Athletes sooner or later loose their original determination and drive. At the moment, many would agree that Rossi isn't riding balls out. The pertinent question is, does this mean his competitive days are over. I personally think it doesn't. Next year will be better (I believe the tires will suit the Ducati better for instance) and this will also lift Rossi's motivation again. The real blood thirst may never come back, but it might be enough for a return to the pointy end and a shot at the title.

Keshav · Oct 11, 2011

Jumkie said:
Disagree about being "tired" or reaching end of athletic cycle. Its simply the effect of being on a ...... bike.

A-gree. Simple as that.

michaelm · Oct 11, 2011

Keshav said:
A-gree. Simple as that.

To some extent true of schumacher as well. 30s/10-15 years ago schumacher might be closer than the current day one but I don't think he would beat vettel and the current red bull driving the current mercedes.

Whether rossi has his old desperation will not be clear until and unless he gets on a competitive bike; he has never previously in his career been in the situation of needing to fight desperately to finish 6th and 7th. He still seemed to have a certain amount of "edge" in his last race victory which was only a year ago. It does seem unlikely that he will ever be regarded again as unbeatable, and likely to find some way to win whatever his grid etc position, by his competitors, much like tiger woods if for different reasons

frizzle · Oct 11, 2011

Jumkie said:
Disagree about being "tired" or reaching end of athletic cycle. Its simply the effect of being on a ...... bike.

Quoted for truth.

livewoutlimit · Oct 11, 2011

He'll find that motivation he needs. I don't think 9 is a satisfying number for him.

Talpa · Oct 12, 2011

Jumkie said:
Disagree about being "tired" or reaching end of athletic cycle. Its simply the effect of being on a ...... bike.

spot on, end of

J4rn0 · Oct 12, 2011

Stoner's strength is his speed. That has an influence on others' minds of course, but if he loses speed he loses that influence. In the case of Rossi, we see that even when he loses speed dramatically compared to others, like this year, his influence on others' minds does not wane as much. It's funny that Stoner is still constantly compared to Rossi, rather than to Lorenzo who is now his closest rival. In forums half of the posts contain Rossi's name, even now that he sits 6th in the championship... Eventually Rossi's decline will set in more and more and people will talk less and less about him, but for the moment he's still one of the main centers of attention. Thats' the strength of the mind.

frizzle · Oct 12, 2011

Besides the headline, where did Doohan even say that Stoner had a mental edge on Rossi?

BarryMachine · Oct 12, 2011

Talpa said:
spot on, end of

This would be the same "...... bike" that has the most wins of any singular bike since the start of 2007 would it ?

The same "...... bike" thats wins 3 out of 4 races ........ then suddenly is the worst bike in the world at the first tests a few months later !!???

There's something fishy about your "Ducshati" theory

Tom · Oct 12, 2011

J4rn0 said:
Stoner's strength is his speed. That has an influence on others' minds of course, but if he loses speed he loses that influence. In the case of Rossi, we see that even when he loses speed dramatically compared to others, like this year, his influence on others' minds does not wane as much.

Nobody is afraid of Rossi anymore, he still gets attention from that fans naturally but on the track he hasn't really got any influence. Whether he is tired and lacking motivation permanently or whether its just a slump remains to be seen, but he is far from his old self.

Search

Search

Doohan: "Stoner has mental edge on Rossi"

RCV600RR

stiefel

spooky

2 wheeled panzer commander

Jumkie

frethammer

Tom

hawkdriver

stiefel

RCV600RR

stiefel

Keshav

michaelm

frizzle

livewoutlimit

Talpa

J4rn0

frizzle

BarryMachine

Tom

Similar threads

Recent Discussions