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MdubSTYLIE said:

I just wished his retirement speech didn't sound so angry. If thats how he really felt at the time or not he should have chosen to appreciate the people who were there for him more than focus on the haters.

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To be fair Dubs, I tend to agree a little as the speech he gave did seem more angry than perhaps it could or should have been, however I suspect that this has a lot to do with the leaking of his thinking of retirement and thus, his media frustration was somewhat fuelled.

With regards to focussing on those that were there for him, by all accounts he did and still maintains contact with many of those people. As an example he remains with Nolan helmets despite having been offered much more to change (his reason has been said 'because they believed in me' and he remains in regular contact with some other riders and ex-riders (just spent time with CE2 at CE's riding ranch).

You may recall that for a long time I have described CS as an angry man at the track and I maintain that as it is not unusual, but by all accounts his track persona has mellowed greatly now he is no longer racing, something I see as a positive and something I see as an indication that reasons were right.

Gaz said:

To be fair Dubs, I tend to agree a little as the speech he gave did seem more angry than perhaps it could or should have been, however I suspect that this has a lot to do with the leaking of his thinking of retirement and thus, his media frustration was somewhat fuelled.

With regards to focussing on those that were there for him, by all accounts he did and still maintains contact with many of those people. As an example he remains with Nolan helmets despite having been offered much more to change (his reason has been said 'because they believed in me' and he remains in regular contact with some other riders and ex-riders (just spent time with CE2 at CE's riding ranch).

You may recall that for a long time I have described CS as an angry man at the track and I maintain that as it is not unusual, but by all accounts his track persona has mellowed greatly now he is no longer racing, something I see as a positive and something I see as an indication that reasons were right.

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I have no doubt he made the right decision for himself. I'm happy he didn't regret it and come back. If he is happy than I am happy for him.

JohnnyKnockdown said:

Interesting about the Rossi fandom. I really don't know much about Aussie blokes, but from what Ive seen they seem to be the blue collar, hard knock sort that takes little ......... I figure they would admire Stoner's attitude but be put out with unwillingness to be the next Doohan.

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Will start with Mladin, he is never mentioned and I would go so far as to say that whilst the name would be recognised in race circles, it would not be recognised in general public terms outside of anyone who has unfortunately dealt with his attitude/ego when he ran businesses this way (nothing illegal just attitude).

Of the rest, would depend on who you ask.

In general public terms, Gardner, Doohan and Stoner would be more recognised but across bike riders (social or ex racers) Bayliss, Corser, McCoy are also well though of (in the circles in which I moved) as is Peter Goddard, if we are to talk older riders. There are of course others that will be mentioned (Cudlins as an example) but in terms of world level it generally falls to the three champions.

To try to give perspective on the Rossi phenomenon over here I would go as far as to say that in 90% of all mainstream news coverage, if there is mention of MotoGP then Rossi will get mentioned no matter his results and more times than not, today Jack Miller will not get a mention.

Generally though, Aussies do take no ........ but at the same time we are known for a 'call it as we see it' or 'take few prisoners' type of approach so we accept people like Doohan/Stoner far more than we accept pretentious attitudes (Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic).

I certainly do not speak for all Aussies but most Aussies will accept everyone until they wrong us, then we turn and if you get us offside, there is no coming back (and that applies to Aussies getting Aussies offside as well)

JPSLotus said:

One thing I do need to correct you on is Senna did veto one teammate. Lotus wanted to pair Senna with Derek Warwick for the 1986 season which Senna vetoed. Warwick claims he could have matched Senna or something to that effect, which is among one of the many reasons why I can't stand Derek Warwick. He was a talented driver, but has vastly overestimated what his skill was relative to Ayrton Senna. The reason Senna vetoed Warwick had to do with his belief Lotus by 1986 could not focus on two drivers and he wanted the team firmly behind him in the garage to give him the best shot of winning races...hence how they wound up with Johnny Dumfries in the second Lotus-Renault. Warwick's claims are so patently absurd and while he would have done better than Dumfries did, he would still have been run over by Senna. Otherwise I do agree with you. The greats of F1 and 500cc/GP never feared their teammates. Most did not care about how strong a teammate might have been and wanted the challenge as seen with Rainey and Koscinski who he demolished.

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I was aware of that, but discounted it for the reason you noted, which is Senna never feared a teammate

MdubSTYLIE said:

Being a racer or athlete is not a switch that can be flipped on and off. Its always stuck in the on position.

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A couple of people I have known over the years have said the same, although they have also said that for them it gets a little easier as they get older but you will never lose it totally.

Some I have known over the years totally leave the sport for that very reason, they simply cannot switch off which for mine although understandable is a little unfortunate as many of these people would have positives to give back to the sport at junior level

MdubSTYLIE said:

I have no doubt he made the right decision for himself. I'm happy he didn't regret it and come back. If he is happy than I am happy for him.

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I personally get absolutely sick and tired of people who threaten to quit/retire or who do so but then return to the previous sport as to me, if you retire you stay retired, and before the obvious question competing at Suzuka or even testing to me is not a full time return as they allow bucket list items to be ticked.

Besides, I bet all of us would like to have the money and time to allow us to do whatever we pleased without the associated work stresses, hell I know I would be out of here tomorrow if I could

Gaz said:

Will start with Mladin, he is never mentioned and I would go so far as to say that whilst the name would be recognised in race circles, it would not be recognised in general public terms outside of anyone who has unfortunately dealt with his attitude/ego when he ran businesses this way (nothing illegal just attitude).

Of the rest, would depend on who you ask.

In general public terms, Gardner, Doohan and Stoner would be more recognised but across bike riders (social or ex racers) Bayliss, Corser, McCoy are also well though of (in the circles in which I moved) as is Peter Goddard, if we are to talk older riders. There are of course others that will be mentioned (Cudlins as an example) but in terms of world level it generally falls to the three champions.

To try to give perspective on the Rossi phenomenon over here I would go as far as to say that in 90% of all mainstream news coverage, if there is mention of MotoGP then Rossi will get mentioned no matter his results and more times than not, today Jack Miller will not get a mention.

Generally though, Aussies do take no ........ but at the same time we are known for a 'call it as we see it' or 'take few prisoners' type of approach so we accept people like Doohan/Stoner far more than we accept pretentious attitudes (Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic).

I certainly do not speak for all Aussies but most Aussies will accept everyone until they wrong us, then we turn and if you get us offside, there is no coming back (and that applies to Aussies getting Aussies offside as well)

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As a huge tennis fan, I'm aware of Kyrgios and his temper tantrums. Dude has the talent to be a megastar but has the thought process of an 8 year old. Doesn't have a clue why those big checks are available.

MdubSTYLIE said:

Yup heard you the first time. Refer to my previous reply. Are you stuck on repeat. Do you need a reboot?

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I didn't actually see or hear you say anything at all of any note, as is often the case, and if you wish to wait for me to be cut to the quick by anything you have to say I would anticipate a wait of several millenia were I you.

I am very happy not to discuss Stoner in threads concerning current events to which he is irrelevant, and very happy to acknowledge MM, who does have the toughness and enduring commitment of Rossi (perhaps even more so, since Rossi was never subjected to the vilification he has received), and as much natural talent as pretty much any rider ever imo.

povol said:

As a huge tennis fan, I'm aware of Kyrgios and his temper tantrums. Dude has the talent to be a megastar but has the thought process of an 8 year old. Doesn't have a clue why those big checks are available.

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I genuinely hope that one day, before it becomes to late, that Kyrgios recognises the opportunity that he has and lets the talent do the talking as he seems to have ridiculous levels of talent, but lacks the application

Gaz said:

Will start with Mladin, he is never mentioned and I would go so far as to say that whilst the name would be recognised in race circles, it would not be recognised in general public terms outside of anyone who has unfortunately dealt with his attitude/ego when he ran businesses this way (nothing illegal just attitude).

Of the rest, would depend on who you ask.

In general public terms, Gardner, Doohan and Stoner would be more recognised but across bike riders (social or ex racers) Bayliss, Corser, McCoy are also well though of (in the circles in which I moved) as is Peter Goddard, if we are to talk older riders. There are of course others that will be mentioned (Cudlins as an example) but in terms of world level it generally falls to the three champions.

To try to give perspective on the Rossi phenomenon over here I would go as far as to say that in 90% of all mainstream news coverage, if there is mention of MotoGP then Rossi will get mentioned no matter his results and more times than not, today Jack Miller will not get a mention.

Generally though, Aussies do take no ........ but at the same time we are known for a 'call it as we see it' or 'take few prisoners' type of approach so we accept people like Doohan/Stoner far more than we accept pretentious attitudes (Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic).

I certainly do not speak for all Aussies but most Aussies will accept everyone until they wrong us, then we turn and if you get us offside, there is no coming back (and that applies to Aussies getting Aussies offside as well)

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Arrabbiata1 said:

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You ........

Seriously though, it shows the wasted talent that he keeps getting mentioned when the likes of Kim Ashkenazi escape discussion.

That all said Arrib, on a serious side for a moment, Gobert is the biggest wasted talent that I have personally ever seen, in any sport in this country.

Whilst we have discussed the story at length, it is one that should be used as a lesson as to the level of support that many of these younger guys need around them so that they do not get involved in that which can destroy their lives.

On the plus as well, he has faded to oblivion due to the choices he made despite the phenomenal support that was given by his family.

Still, whilst it was only a brief glimpse .... me could he ride ..........

MdubSTYLIE said:

I just wished his retirement speech didn't sound so angry. If thats how he really felt at the time or not he should have chosen to appreciate the people who were there for him more than focus on the haters.

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Eh, I probably would have said the same thing to be honest. That was a lot of frustration built up over time. Aussie humor and all that maybe?

To me Casey retired just to make a point, not because he "really" wanted to stop racing. It was his f you to the system by acting against his own interests. Ridiculous IMO, but that's Casey, angry with the world. I also think he was assuming he'd win the title in 2012, but Dani was more than a match to his performance that year after a brief pause in the Spaniard's constant misfortunes. Probably not the end he expected.

But maybe it was the right time after all, facing opposition of Marquez' stature was probably not ideal for a father with young kids. He had more to lose than to win at that point, and I don't think he'd have had a chance against Marc.

The Worst said:

To me Casey retired just to make a point, not because he "really" wanted to stop racing.

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The only real significant thing that you've stated there is "to me" - which is tantamount to subjective baseless assumption.

The Worst said:

It was his f you to the system by acting against his own interests.

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On the contrary, he clearly had his own interests at heart which he has consistently stated.

The Worst said:

Ridiculous IMO,

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Significantly, it is his opinion that counts as opposed to yours.

The Worst said:

but that's Casey, angry with the world.

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Actually, objective evidence suggests that since retiring he's very at peace with the world. What does that tell you?

The Worst said:

I also think he was assuming he'd win the title in 2012,

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Ironic that you mention that he was assuming something when you began your sentence with "I also think".

The Worst said:

Dani was more than a match to his performance that year after a brief pause in the Spaniard's constant misfortunes. Probably not the end he expected.

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Both Pedrosa and Stoner were screwed by a late change to the Bridgestone front construction. It wasn't until Sachesenring that they made the breakthrough - purportedly the final piece in the puzzle lay in the alteration of the cush drives costing mere Euros. Agreed, Pedro rode brilliantly, and Stoner's last lap mistake at Sachsenring could be construed as a forced error. Dani strung together a great run but his 'constant misfortunes' returned remember when his tyre warmer melted onto his disc at Misano and he was forced to start from the back of the grid being collected by Barbera during his charge through. You also neglect to mention Stoner's Indy accident and that Dani threw the championship away at PI where Stoner is indomitable and Pedro was already pressurised by Lorenzo's consistency. I recall him chucking it away on the first lap at Doohan's several year earlier in a bid to make a break on a cold tyre. Not all misfortune - sometimes misjudgment.

The Worst said:

But maybe it was the right time after all, facing opposition of Marquez' stature was probably not ideal for a father with young kids. He had more to lose than to win at that point, and I don't think he'd have had a chance against Marc.

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I do - although Colin Edward's observation that a kid can cost some riders a second a lap may well have some truth in it. I entirely agree with JPS's suggestion that Marquez and Stoner in the same team would have raised the bar to an unprecedented level.

But again, that is mere speculation - we will never know, which is a great shame. I think as much as Marquez engendered a paradigm shift, Stoner would have found the speed in his own idiosyncratic style to match.

"To me" - he was the most naturally talented rider since Lawson or even Spencer - but then, although a view shared by many, that is also simply an opinion.

Keshav said:

He did make it count on the Honda. Wiki his results and you'll see he was consistently 2nd or 3rd in points at any time in the season when he was on a Honda. There was much speculation at the time, that Honda was hobbling his bike to keep him from hurting Pedrosa's chances at the championship because when Dani was out sick, Dovi was always faster. To say he didn't step up, last week would be the same as saying Vinales and Rossi were slacking at the races where they were nowhere near the front. To suggest that any rider who's been this close to the front just isn't trying is ludicrous. I also don't agree about Pedrosa. He is very much held back by his diminutive stature. Look at all the injuries he's suffered and all the times he's heroically ridden in pain. Very much the opposite of waiting for the championship to be dropped in his lap.

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I have wiki'd his results and he was more consistently 4th and 5th in the races with the occasional 2nd or 3rd. Indeed whilst on the Honda Repsol, his record in the Championship was 6th, 5th and a 3rd.

Now I know his efforts are superhuman compared to the normal layman but in his field, I'm not comparing him to layman, I'm comparing him to his peers and set against them he's always been just on the periphery.

Believe me I've shouted encouragement for him to grab a win and fight for points for many years but my reading of him from the performance that I've watched for all those years would be that he doesn't have that same guttural urge or desire to win that someone like Marquez or Rossi does.

Hence why although it's good to see him do well and he seems to be a really nice guy, I can't see him by his own force of will (rather than mechanical problems for his competitors) being in the running for the very top spot. I don't think he has that 'edge' to make it happen.

And the same goes for Pedrosa. His stature might hold him back but he has been riding one of the top factory bikes for 10 years now and it still a journeyman. Yes, he will show sparks of performance and recently even some balls in being prepared to duke it out with Rossi but for a long time he was a mercurial journeyman.

However, each to their own and I respect that you have a counter opinion.

Arrabbiata1 said:

"To me" - he was the most naturally talented rider since Lawson or even Spencer - but then, although a view shared by many, that is also simply an opinion.

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A rider with great skills and important flaws too. He could ride in a way that made a big difference in the Ducati, for which he deserves a lot of credit, but perhaps not so much on other bikes. Dani was closer to him, if not a match, than he's ever been to Marquez, even in his rookie season. There's an element of lucky coincidence to his Ducati story, similar in a way to Lorenzo's Yamaha story (I think Lorenzo has been lucky relative to say Pedrosa). Stoner had a signficant crashing rate and not the greatest mental strength though, relative to the "reference" riders, who have to be Rossi and Marquez, both extremely tough motherfuckers.

The Worst said:

A rider with great skills and important flaws too. He could ride in a way that made a big difference in the Ducati, for which he deserves a lot of credit, but perhaps not so much on other bikes.

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You mean the LCR Honda on cast off tyres against SNS?

Or the RCV213v that he won a title on?

The Worst said:

Dani was closer to him, if not a match, than he's ever been to Marquez, even in his rookie season.

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Pedrosa was on the factory RCV on his rookie season and whilst Nicky was saddled with onerous testing obligations involving the internals for the infernal Predrocycle (®), the plan was for Dani to win the title in his inaugural year so he had huge backing from HRC. Essentially, following the passing of Daijiro, Dani was Honda Racing's great white hope so to speak. Hayden by then was an afterthought which makes his 2006 title or the more admirable.

Meanwhile, as mentioned Casey was wrestling a customer RCV on reject rubber. His ride at Qatar that year, which he regards as hugely significant, is another example of worthy content for this thread. I can tell you about it if you wish - because you are obviously oblivious to the details.

You perceive that Dani was closer to Stoner due to a myriad of factors and variables. I regard the dismissal of Leitner for 2015 as a significant mistake and last year the Michelin's crucified Pedro. I think since Stoner replaced Dovi, the Honda diverged in its developmental path from Dani's preferences, but this has perhaps been exacerbated since the arrival of Marc and the advent of a new paradigm which I'm not completely convinced that Dani has fully adapted to.

The Worst said:

There's an element of lucky coincidence to his Ducati story,

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Really? Why? You seriously believe anyone else could have ridden that animal to a title in 2007?

The Worst said:

similar in a way to Lorenzo's Yamaha story (I think Lorenzo has been lucky relative to say Pedrosa).

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Actually, I'd contend that eleven seasons on a factory Honda without delivering a title is reasonably fortuitous.

Lorenzo? - He made that M1 his own despite the hostility and negativity that arrived again in 2013. I am not convinced that Pedrosa would have been anywhere close to Jorge's achievements on the Yamaha. His symbiosis with that motorcycle was sublime.

The Worst said:

Stoner had a signficant crashing rate and not the greatest mental strength though, relative to the "reference" riders, who have to be Rossi and Marquez, both extremely tough motherfuckers.

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Firstly I'd argue that Rossi's fabled mental fortitude is another fallacious myth and that he does not respond at all well to pressure. Regarding a "significant crashing rate" tell me, how did your boy fare on that Ducati?

Arrabbiata1 said:

Pedrosa was on the factory RCV on his rookie season and whilst Nicky was saddled with onerous testing obligations involving the internals for the infernal Predrocycle (®), the plan was for Dani to win the title in his inaugural year so he had huge backing from HRC. Essentially, following the passing of Daijiro, Dani was Honda Racing's great white hope so to speak. Hayden by then was an afterthought which makes his 2006 title or the more admirable.

Meanwhile, as mentioned Casey was wrestling a customer RCV on reject rubber. His ride at Qatar that year, which he regards as hugely significant, is another example of worthy content for this thread. I can tell you about it if you wish - because you are obviously oblivious to the details.

You perceive that Dani was closer to Stoner due to a myriad of factors and variables. I regard the dismissal of Leitner for 2015 as a significant mistake and last year the Michelin's crucified Pedro. I think since Stoner replaced Dovi, the Honda diverged in its developmental path from Dani's preferences, but this has perhaps been exacerbated since the arrival of Marc and the advent of a new paradigm which I'm not completely convinced that Dani has fully adapted to.



Really? Why? You seriously believe anyone else could have ridden that animal to a title in 2007?



Actually, I'd contend that eleven seasons on a factory Honda without delivering a title is reasonably fortuitous.

Lorenzo? - He made that M1 his own despite the hostility and negativity that arrived again in 2013. I am not convinced that Pedrosa would have been anywhere close to Jorge's achievements on the Yamaha. His symbiosis with that motorcycle was sublime.



Firstly I'd argue that Rossi's fabled mental fortitude is another fallacious myth and that he does not respond at all well to pressure. Regarding a "significant crashing rate" tell me, how did your boy fare on that Ducati?

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Something I've been mulling over lately, and was wondering what your take is. This is more of me thinking out loud, so apologies if it's slightly disjointed.

At what point do we consider Pedrosa's career a failure? His career has been successful in terms of staying on that factory Honda for as long as he has, and of course there are the countless race wins. I've been thinking a lot about that stretch he had from 2006 thru 2012 maybe 2013, where he was afforded certain advantages that I really don't feel he was entitled to have, especially when one considers with hindsight that he was simply unable to ever deliver a title. The Pedrocycle debacle might have converted into a title if not for Stoner on the GP7. But I keep thinking about the good finishes he had in the points table, and can't help but think that while it is easier and more romantic to blame misfortune/fate for the lack of a title....couldn't easily be attributed to Pedrosa simply not being able to convert when the opportunities were there? I'm a firm believer that while you do need the machine first unless of course you are a transcendent rider, the riders who win titles do not squander opportunities given to them. With the reintroduction of the Michelin tires, I feel comfortable in saying outside of the odd race weekend when things align and he can reel off a dominant win, Pedrosa will never be a threat to win a title again.

JPSLotus said:

With the reintroduction of the Michelin tires, I feel comfortable in saying outside of the odd race weekend when things align and he can reel off a dominant win, Pedrosa will never be a threat to win a title again.

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I agree, which is why I was somewhat aghast at the somewhat premature predictions that this could be Pedrosa's year following the astral alignment at Jerez. There are so many transcendent rides that Dani has put in over the years and as many had echoed, were it not for the dreadful debacle at Sachsenring in 2008 that may well cost him a title - or even his career.

You mentioned yesterday JPS how a partnership of Stoner and Marquez would have been such a formidable prospect - and I was immediately reminded of Suppo being asked about team orders at Honda. He was insistent that HRC wanted to engender competition between team mates and implicitly regarded Stoner or Marquez as good for Dani.

Although he made the transition from a 250 to the 990 with great skill and aplomb, (find footage of the way he picked the bike up on the corner exit), I would have loved to have seen the guy on a 500. It may well have broken him - we'll never know.

Despite some incredible performances - I immediately think of Brno 2012 and Aragon 2015 - my favourite Dani rides ever, I choose to remember him most fondly as a two stroke 125 and 250 rider. I feel that in Moto GP, balance and weight transfer have been a perennial problem as much as bad luck and his hapless reputation.

Unfortunately though with Dani, for every one of these...



there is one of these..



God forbid he ever actually takes to sea in his yacht.

payne by name said:

I have wiki'd his results and he was more consistently 4th and 5th in the races with the occasional 2nd or 3rd. Indeed whilst on the Honda Repsol, his record in the Championship was 6th, 5th and a 3rd. At Honda he finished 5th / 6th / 5th and 3rd, and that third was a year when the number one rider at Honda was Stoner. 3rd in championship points after Stoner and Lorenzo is not the results of a mediocre rider.

Now I know his efforts are superhuman compared to the normal layman but in his field, I'm not comparing him to layman, I'm comparing him to his peers and set against them he's always been just on the periphery.

Believe me I've shouted encouragement for him to grab a win and fight for points for many years but my reading of him from the performance that I've watched for all those years would be that he doesn't have that same guttural urge or desire to win that someone like Marquez or Rossi does.

Hence why although it's good to see him do well and he seems to be a really nice guy, I can't see him by his own force of will (rather than mechanical problems for his competitors) being in the running for the very top spot. I don't think he has that 'edge' to make it happen.

And the same goes for Pedrosa. His stature might hold him back but he has been riding one of the top factory bikes for 10 years now and it still a journeyman. Yes, he will show sparks of performance and recently even some balls in being prepared to duke it out with Rossi but for a long time he was a mercurial journeyman.

However, each to their own and I respect that you have a counter opinion.

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Read my post again Amigo. I said "in the points". Not consistently on the podium. Over the course of the season Dovi was in the running, not a threat to win it, but around third in the points during the season. I only spoke from memory and so you are right about end of season standings. In the event, he did well considering he was largely the parts donkey at Honda and the bike was being developed for the lead rider, not Dovi. Finishing 5th, 6th, 5th and 3rd at Honda was very respectable given his status at Honda, moreso the 3rd, given that was 3rd behind Stoner and Lorenzo, nothing mediocre about that.

Still disagree re: Pedrosa. Dani has won a ....-load of races and been on the podium more times than anyone who hasn't won a championship. Were it not for injuries and being taken out by other riders, he'd be the rider with the most runner ups in MGP championships. Hardly a journeyman. A very talented rider, hobbled by his lack of stature.

JPSLotus said:

Something I've been mulling over lately, and was wondering what your take is. This is more of me thinking out loud, so apologies if it's slightly disjointed.

At what point do we consider Pedrosa's career a failure? His career has been successful in terms of staying on that factory Honda for as long as he has, and of course there are the countless race wins. I've been thinking a lot about that stretch he had from 2006 thru 2012 maybe 2013, where he was afforded certain advantages that I really don't feel he was entitled to have, especially when one considers with hindsight that he was simply unable to ever deliver a title. The Pedrocycle debacle might have converted into a title if not for Stoner on the GP7. But I keep thinking about the good finishes he had in the points table, and can't help but think that while it is easier and more romantic to blame misfortune/fate for the lack of a title....couldn't easily be attributed to Pedrosa simply not being able to convert when the opportunities were there? I'm a firm believer that while you do need the machine first unless of course you are a transcendent rider, the riders who win titles do not squander opportunities given to them. With the reintroduction of the Michelin tires, I feel comfortable in saying outside of the odd race weekend when things align and he can reel off a dominant win, Pedrosa will never be a threat to win a title again.

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This is a bloody good question actually JPS and probably could best be answered by what one considers to be success, or by the same token, failure.

To me I would answer by saying that he has had a successful career in terms of longevity and race wins (I refer to MotoGP only as Danie was and will forever be a damn sensational and somewhat legendary 125/250cc world champion), but he has no championship.

If you need a championship to be successful, then we have a lot of failures in our sport, which for mine is an unfair stain for some who simply had none of the opportunities afforded to others, never mind to Pedrosa.

I doubt that we have seen any rider remain on full factory equipment to 11 or more years where that rider has failed to deliver a title, but with Dani there is the perennial 'hope' that this is his year, and I say that as talent wise he is well there.

I would not and could not call his time in MotoGP a failure, but by the same token I would not call it a success even though I feel that at times he has been very successful, for even with that feeling I am left somewhat hollow in that I see what could have been if stars aligned.

Nope, I know this is harsh but in some way I look at him as the 'under achiever' who achieved a hell of a lot but ask myself, could he, should he have achieved more and I am left to ponder what may have been with Dani.

Not disappointed by him, actually kind of feel sorry that he has had to endure the constant questions that come with his long tenure but to me he has become a rather second favourite, even if just to shut up the knockers of him. As hypocritical as it sounds given what I have typed, for me, Dani has had a sensational career that lacks only for a MotoGP title, in much the same way that Stoner never got a 125/250 title and yet he is rather well regarded.