You just called Casey Stoner slow
Yeah, quite possibly the most idiotic post I've read in an aeon.
That's like saying the Honda vacated by Vale was quite clearly ..... because Biaggi was beaten at Welkom in the first race of the '04 season. I think j4rn0 is correct in saying that the entire Honda performance has been enhanced by the new transmission, but Casey has always owned Losail since his landmark first appearance here on the LCR Honda. I'm still adamant that the Casey was the only rider out there capable of taming the screamer - Valentino would never have entertained the idea beyond a blueprint in Bologna. The chronic understeer of the GP11 is exacerbated by Valentino's shoulder. Vale and the crew need a few races under their belt to gauge how to tailor the bikes responses to best limit this handicap, and to ape some of the characteristics of the nimble M1 which was exploited to such effect. Valentino and his crew are masters of engineering and setting a bike up around the strengths of the rider. They will be up to speed once they obtain the race data that they so urgently require. Jerez, traditionally an 'also ran' circuit for the Desmo will be a major headache though.
If you really want a reminder of outright unfair advantage, rewind to 2002 and Valentino astride the all new RCV211V - a bike so sorted out of the crate that Alex Briggs used to play with the settings during practise and even qualifying out of sheer unadulterated boredom. A bike so sorted, that when Honda Pons eventually took delivery of one in October - Alex Barros rode it around the car park at Motegi before beating Valentino in the subsequent race, and again at Valencia.
I digress. Personality wise I don't particularly like Valentino Rossi, I never have and I probably never will. I see straight through the facade and the fake comic persona - the clown mask slips when things don't go his own way. I thought the situation with Jorge at Yamaha was utterly reprehensible, and cost Valentino much of his integrity, credibility and dignity. I smile wryly at the thought of Casey erecting a wall, dissecting his garage to eliminate a similar perceived threat and the resultant outcry on this forum. I regard Valentino as a particularly duplicitous and ruthless individual who utilises the formidable arsenal of resources which have always availed to him to perpetuate his comparative advantage. I don't view Casey Stoner meanwhile as some paragon of humankind either, and am fully aware of the guys foibles and obvious shortcomings off and on the track but do find him more sincere and genuine than VR although his mouth is much like his racing..and he sometimes needs to think before he puts it in gear.
In spite of this, as I have said many times before, Valentino Rossi as the GOAT is unparalleled in this sport. I love his respect for the history and pedigree of motorcycle racing. He has managed to embody, crystalise and encapsulate an entire pantheon of greats within his own career. He has the natural talent of Spencer or Hailwood, the tenacity determination and mental fortitude of Doohan, the charisma and charm of Sheene, the finesse of Steady Eddie, the balls of Schwantz, the self belief of KRsnr and on very rare occasions the outright speed of Casey Stoner!!
So many regulars have been driven off this board by the flame wars, trolling and pointless fatuous posts such as the above. Even Barry talks GP racing in a semi constructive way on occasions. This .... belongs on other lesser forums. Hardly surprising that some defect to Kropotkin's pad for some intelligent discourse. All this drivel about haters fan boys and boppers. I don't hate any of these guys, I have the utmost respect for them all as riders. Some acquit themselves better than others, but it's rare to find a successful racer at this level without some manner of personality defect - These guys are competing for the greatest prize in motorcycle racing, not the nobel peace prize...sure it gets ugly from time to time. We love our hero's and we love our villains - but to me they're all heroes once out on track. I didn't much care for 'lil John, Phil Read, Max, Fogarty, and a host of others - but didn't give a .... when it came to a Sunday and the flag dropped.
Enjoy the racing this weekend, and instead of this bickering and stressing ridiculous divisive differences and preferences over individual riders and allegiances, celebrate our united love and respect for the sport on this, your forum.
(Go Casey!)
