Is Rossi a shoo-in for next season?

I'm going to bravely and unpopularly state that Rossi has lost it. The aura he had has gone. He is very beatable and on a consistent basis. He is no longer feared and his new rivals love racing him. He will battle for the odd race win but can't get it done anymore over the course of the season. His decline is evident and he is running out of excuses after two poor seasons, albiet not all his fault, ultimately he cannot find the answers and win the championship. He rode great to win those championships full of confidence, at the top of his game and had the best bike and team at the time to assist him. However, that is not the reality now and hasn't been for two years.

The next generation are the winners of today and tomorrow. Stoner and Pedrosa are perhaps the two real contenders, with Lorenzo to join them as the season goes on? Lorenzo will quite possibly emerge as the number 1 Yamaha rider eclipsing Rossi by the end of the season. Melandri has a golden opportunity to give the title a real shake if he can be consistent enough to match his ability.

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AB#1 @ Dec 27 2007, 02:45 PM) [snapback]105298[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm going to bravely and unpopularly state that Rossi has lost it. The aura he had has gone. He is very beatable and on a consistent basis. He is no longer feared and his new rivals love racing him. He will battle for the odd race win but can't get it done anymore over the course of the season. His decline is evident and he is running out of excuses after two poor seasons, albiet not all his fault, ultimately he cannot find the answers and win the championship. He rode great to win those championships full of confidence, at the top of his game and had the best bike and team at the time to assist him. However, that is not the reality now and hasn't been for two years.

The next generation are the winners of today and tomorrow. Stoner and Pedrosa are perhaps the two real contenders, with Lorenzo to join them as the season goes on? Lorenzo will quite possibly emerge as the number 1 Yamaha rider eclipsing Rossi by the end of the season. Melandri has a golden opportunity to give the title a real shake if he can be consistent enough to match his ability.


Melandri over Rossi. How much are you willing to put on that?
Or is it just like the post above suggest, "troll talk"?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AB#1 @ Dec 28 2007, 12:45 AM) [snapback]105298[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm going to bravely and unpopularly state that Rossi has lost it. The aura he had has gone. He is very beatable and on a consistent basis. He is no longer feared and his new rivals love racing him. He will battle for the odd race win but can't get it done anymore over the course of the season. His decline is evident and he is running out of excuses after two poor seasons, albiet not all his fault, ultimately he cannot find the answers and win the championship. He rode great to win those championships full of confidence, at the top of his game and had the best bike and team at the time to assist him. However, that is not the reality now and hasn't been for two years.

The next generation are the winners of today and tomorrow. Stoner and Pedrosa are perhaps the two real contenders, with Lorenzo to join them as the season goes on? Lorenzo will quite possibly emerge as the number 1 Yamaha rider eclipsing Rossi by the end of the season. Melandri has a golden opportunity to give the title a real shake if he can be consistent enough to match his ability.


Clearly and succinctly put ..... Lorenzo wil show that there is nothing wrong with the Yam. .... the Rossi fans will blame some other thing ..... but Rossi is on the wane ..... no discredit too him, he's been a good rider to see ...... but some can't handle the fact he has been eclipsed.

It started in 06 with Hayden then 07 with Stoner ...... 08 is looking an even better year for the spectators than 07 was ( Dorna recorded record numers of spectators for 07 )

Which makes me wonder ..... maybe Rossi is even more valuable when he is being beaten.??






<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Dec 28 2007, 12:48 AM) [snapback]105299[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
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I think the change to Bridgestone will be the best decision he has ever made! Or the worst...
He definitely has another championship in him, it just has to come out!
I really thought he was going to win this year after losing the title last year but obviously my predictions weren't right. So I'm not going to make any predictions this year!

And Lorenzo...
He's a good and agressive rider and I think he's going to win some races but I don't think a world championship is in it for him YET.

I'm curious though for the battle between Rossi and Lorenzo...
Lozenzo is a Biaggi fan. Which doesn't mean they won't get along with each other but still...

We'll see what happens next year! Can't wait!

Rossi will (as usual) put the other Yamaha riders in their place as also rans in 2008 ... but I have serious reservations about him winning the championship! I doubt he has the bike to win (he definitely has the talent and the team to do so)!

Rossi finished?

He won 4 races last season, twice what Pedrosa won. I agree Pedro is probably in better shape moving forward, and Rossi may not win another championship.

I suspect Rossi is going to have an ugly demise. He's played the politics card, if it doesn't work out he'll get stabbed in the back like all politicians do. When the torch has successfully been passed to the youngins, Dorna won't need Rossi anymore. The subsidization of his salary will cease, the special built equipment will disappear, his supporters will slowly abandon him.

I can guarantee you though, it won't be because he can't ride anymore.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Dec 28 2007, 11:12 PM) [snapback]105377[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Rossi finished?

He won 4 races last season, twice what Pedrosa won. I agree Pedro is probably in better shape moving forward, and Rossi may not win another championship.

I suspect Rossi is going to have an ugly demise. He's played the politics card, if it doesn't work out he'll get stabbed in the back like all politicians do. When the torch has successfully been passed to the youngins, Dorna won't need Rossi anymore. The subsidization of his salary will cease, the special built equipment will disappear, his supporters will slowly abandon him.

I can guarantee you though, it won't be because he can't ride anymore.


I definitely can't agree with you
How can you say that? (e.g Rossi can't ride anymore...and bla bla bla)
He is rider with full of talents. I think he had been struggling due the performance of Yamaha last 2 season. He just needs the right toys (bike & tyre). Last season look at the other Yamaha boys. Nobody - I mean nobody - can took the victory or at least challenging the Red Bullets (Stoner) but him. Just look what just he did in TT Assen. Stoner must cursed himself
He won 7 title. That tells you everything.
Honestly if Yamaha still sucks, maybe Rossi should going to Ducati.That will be very interesting to watch him battle head-to-head and toe-to-toe with Stoner.
Oh...wait....wait.....or Rossi joins the Ducati and Stoner goes to Yamaha...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mochrifqi @ Dec 28 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]105415[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I definitely can't agree with you
How can you say that? (e.g Rossi can't ride anymore...and bla bla bla)
He is rider with full of talents. I think he had been struggling due the performance of Yamaha last 2 season. He just needs the right toys (bike & tyre). Last season look at the other Yamaha boys. Nobody - I mean nobody - can took the victory or at least challenging the Red Bullets (Stoner) but him. Just look what just he did in TT Assen. Stoner must cursed himself
He won 7 title. That tells you everything.
Honestly if Yamaha still sucks, maybe Rossi should going to Ducati.That will be very interesting to watch him battle head-to-head and toe-to-toe with Stoner.
Oh...wait....wait.....or Rossi joins the Ducati and Stoner goes to Yamaha...


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>I can guarantee you though, it won't be because he can't ride anymore.

I think Rossi may have an ugly demise, but it won't be because he can't ride anymore.

Rossi can ride, but other factors may cause him to fail.

I'm sure either of those statements can be read/understood.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AB#1 @ Dec 27 2007, 02:45 PM) [snapback]105298[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
His decline is evident and he is running out of excuses after two poor seasons,


What the fk are you on? 2nd and 3rd are 'poor seasons'?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Dec 28 2007, 03:32 AM) [snapback]105362[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Clearly and succinctly put ..... Lorenzo wil show that there is nothing wrong with the Yam. .... the Rossi fans will blame some other thing ..... but Rossi is on the wane ..... no discredit too him, he's been a good rider to see ...... but some can't handle the fact he has been eclipsed.

It started in 06 with Hayden then 07 with Stoner ...... 08 is looking an even better year for the spectators than 07 was ( Dorna recorded record numers of spectators for 07 )


Your "facts" regarding Rossi is just as good as your other "facts".
First, spectator numbers are not a measure of how good the races were but more a measument of the expectations. '06 was the top year for spectators with 05 and 04 close behind. 07 was mostly ..... Compared to the previous three years it was terribly boring for most. Somthing the viewer numbers show with up to 30% drop.
Expect spectator numbers to drop next year, while racing might actually get much better (I hope) with new tire rules and some hard work from all the equipment supliers that couldn't keep up this year.

"Lorenzo wil show that there is nothing wrong with the Yam"
With that I suppose you expect him to be in front of Rossi?

Rossi, Le Mans 06 4 riders one corner, dont see anyone doing that nowa days,

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(J4rn0 @ Dec 23 2007, 08:38 PM) [snapback]105113[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Doohan recommended Rossi to Honda, and handed down his Burgess team to him... He was seeing him as his heir. Rightly so...

I think WE have all been very lucky to have a Rossi after a Doohan... Imagine life after Doohan if Rossi had not been there


Hmm...
Championships
Biaggi- 3
Giberanau - 2
Melandri -1

Biaggi or Gibernau may have won a few more championships as the #1 HRC rider.

Personally, I think we would be arguing if Biaggi is the greatest rider ever in Motogp. The Roman emperor would still be in Motogp. Gibernau would still be in Motogp.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Evolution @ Dec 30 2007, 07:32 AM) [snapback]105449[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
What the fk are you on? 2nd and 3rd are 'poor seasons'?


I think you misinterpret the meaning ( and you know it ) ..... no 2nd then 3rd are not poor seasons ...... but nonetheless for Rossi ..... it is a decline.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 30 2007, 08:17 AM) [snapback]105453[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
First, spectator numbers are not a measure of how good the races were but more a measument of the expectations. '06 was the top year for spectators with 05 and 04 close behind. 07 was mostly ..... Compared to the previous three years it was terribly boring for most. Somthing the viewer numbers show with up to 30% drop.


Well according to Motogp.com 07 was their best year yet for numbers ..... how come you have better more "factual" data than them??



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 30 2007, 08:17 AM) [snapback]105453[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
With that I suppose you expect him to be in front of Rossi?


I have already stated I think that "that is a very high probability" ..... and you are constantly expressing that you feel its unbelievable that someone can say this!! .... constant ignoring of that is just more .......



I know you want him to win again ..... and he might yet ...... but on running form Rossi looks far from a "shoe-in" ....... but hey ...... when he wins you can be waiting at the fnish line for him and he will sweep you up in his arms and run off into the sunset with you .... whether you are male or female won't matter ..... it'll just be that you were the most faithful of fans ..... thats what motogp seems to be getting like

Never mind I'll just enjoy the racing ...... cos thats what counts in the end ...... and ignore all this "personality" stuff ....... its like watching "Days of our lives" or "neighbours".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Dec 29 2007, 05:51 PM) [snapback]105471[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well according to Motogp.com 07 was their best year yet for numbers ..... how come you have better more "factual" data than them??


That was race attendance. Viewership was weak.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BarryMachine @ Dec 30 2007, 02:51 AM) [snapback]105471[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well according to Motogp.com 07 was their best year yet for numbers ..... how come you have better more "factual" data than them??

Frist off, read my post again. Im not disputing the mumbers. Btw:
The year with the most number of races ever have the highest spectator numbers, and that after one of the best sesons ever, what a surprice!
But that is still no proof of success when it comes down to how many that actually follow the sport. TV numbers are a much better measurement.
Is it such a surprice for you that Dorna officially want to display success, while in reality they are deeply conserned because of the free falling TV ratings? Don't tell me you missed that? Italy had a 30% drop this year, others as much as 20%. (Would be interesting to se the Aussie ratings)
Those numbers are a lot more important than a few extra spectators.
So, I dont have better facts than Dorna, I simply have the Dorna facts and apply them where they are valid, unlike you.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>

I have already stated I think that "that is a very high probability" ..... and you are constantly expressing that you feel its unbelievable that someone can say this!!

LOL. I can't say I've seen you put Melandri anywhere before now (but I may be wrong), the one I have noticed is that you think Rossi is over the top, far over the top. But that's based on what? You would say results over the two last years. Basing that bold statement only on the results looks very, very thin as all but a few people in denial agree that Rossi has had far from the best package these year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>
.... constant ignoring of that is just more .......


While there is no secret that I'm a Rossi fan and that my opinions from time to time can be tinted by that, you have the same problem the other way. But in this case I'm not really expressing my surprise based on my own opinion, but on the overwhleming general opnion about Rossi chances. Go to a bookeeper with your "very high probability" numbers and the odds would go sky high.
If you don't I'm willing to take a bet.

With that kind of spectaular suggestions I would expect a better argument than the result of the two last years alone. There really should be more to it unless you are the one sticking your head in the sand.


[insults ignored]

I have come to the conclusion you cannot dominate without the right package and the key to winning the world championship is Consistancy over Skill nowadays.

I miss Rossi coming through the field like he used to but i'm more inclined to believe he can still do that but its not possible due to the closer performance of the bikes and the same throttle action from every rider.

For a good rider its easier to look generic these days and harder to look talented.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(an4rew @ Dec 30 2007, 07:24 PM) [snapback]105489[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I have come to the conclusion you cannot dominate without the right package, not like the old days where great riders could get amazing results on poor machinery.

That makes me sad that technology has done this to the sport.


Well, I don't know. It's also an idication of higher level among the riders, and that still have a potential to improve. While throttle control and big slides are cool to look at I don't know if I would like that the one rider with the best throttle control is the fastest rider. Motorbike racing is so much more than that.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 30 2007, 06:30 PM) [snapback]105490[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Well, I don't know. It's also an idication of higher level among the riders, and that still have a potential to improve.

The current crop of riders are not better than the past... imo its not very good right now.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Babelfish @ Dec 30 2007, 06:30 PM) [snapback]105490[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
While throttle control and big slides are cool to look at I don't know if I would like that the one rider with the best throttle control is the fastest rider.


Thats technically how it has and should be... but i accept that technology, tyres and the team play a bigger role now but is it too big for the good of the sport?