Arrabbiata1
Blue Smoker
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2008
- Messages
- 6,925
- Location
- Out of Nowhere
Congratulations Márquez. Keith Huewan, in one of his token moronic moments was blithering words to the effect of "who said the Honda was the hardest bike to ride? We've had four victors and Marquez has won five races". Firstly, both Cal and Jack can be attributed to tyres and to a lesser extent, rider - the limitations of the Honda mitigated by the weather. Dani, again a very shrewd tyre choice, but a superb ride. Trust me, if that bike was an easy proposition this championship may have been all but a formality by the summer break. As many have stated, Marc has learned to control his inner aggression, ride for points where necessary, understand the limits (both his own and those of the motorcycle), and productively channel his outright speed. A very worthy title.
My impartial observation over the years is...unearthly talent aside, Valentino Rossi does not respond well to pressure or situations beyond his control. And in saying 'beyond his control' - read into that what you will. Hence the increasingly desperate mind games - Unfortunately for him, he has now at this late stage in his career encountered a rival who is utterly immune to his provocation. Every championship is hard earned but there will be no tenth title gift wrapped as in some previous seasons. In fact, it is increasingly likely that there will be no tenth title. I recall when Vale launched into his extraordinary diatribe about Phillip Island in the pre-race press conference at Sepang. In particular, when he made allegations about Marc's integrity and cast aspersions as to whether he had actually been a fan of his as a child as Marc has claimed, I saw the perma- smile that we are so accustomed to fade. My immediate thought was, this is not Biaggi, no Gibernau, no Lorenzo...even Stoner - you've seriously ...... up there Valentino.
Once HRC get back inside that engine again over the winter and develop the new plant for 07, if they exploit the potential of the RCV in harmony with the shareware we may as well engrave the trophy in Marc's name for next year as well. I have no doubt that as a rider he will only get stronger psychologically and as his race craft improves, become unassailable. With Mav arriving in the Yamaha garage, the mind games and the intimidation will be directed elsewhere, particularly when the internal threat within the team gathers momentum.
As I saw it Vale was trying to match Marc's pace and paid the price probably under trail braking. Similarly, Lorenzo was responding to Dovi and also lost the front through pushing. Kudos to both riders, particularly Valentino for trying to take it to Marc. Interestingly lap records under the Michelin's tend to have come later in the race, with the Bridgestone's it was earlier.
Of course this forum needs Valentino - mythology aside and whatever any of his detractors think, the man is afterall a legend of the sport. I would argue that the sport needs him too, in whatever capacity, but in general, we need his fans like a dose of syphilis.
Entertainment? Absolutely - I get that from watching Vale ride a motorcycle, not his mobilisation of his pathetic yellow clad minions nor his pathetic attempts to besmirch other riders. Frankly it was .... when Valentino crashed out today - much worse than Jorge, because he was taking it to Marc. I don't care who wins, so long as I see close racing and as I have always said, I want to see as many riders not only up at the sharp end, but keeping it upright. Saying that, I was reminded of the shameless and deplorable jeering and cheering and celebrations of crashes amongst so called 'fans' of this sport - They are not, they are a fan base associated with one particular rider who refused to condemn such reprehensible trackside behaviour in the stands. I do not subscribe to belief in karma in the metaphysical sense, but I do think that whatever you put out there can have a habit of biting you on the .... I would not so much as allow myself a wry smile when Vale went down, because it disappointed me and always hope that the championship can go to the wire. However, the irony was not lost on me.
Absolutely agree Gaz. This was similar to Brendan Clarke when he was bought into replace the sacked Chris Walker on the NSR in 2001 - only Clarke had no championship to his name. In face, no one had heard his name.
Good news and thank you so much for posting this.
My impartial observation over the years is...unearthly talent aside, Valentino Rossi does not respond well to pressure or situations beyond his control. And in saying 'beyond his control' - read into that what you will. Hence the increasingly desperate mind games - Unfortunately for him, he has now at this late stage in his career encountered a rival who is utterly immune to his provocation. Every championship is hard earned but there will be no tenth title gift wrapped as in some previous seasons. In fact, it is increasingly likely that there will be no tenth title. I recall when Vale launched into his extraordinary diatribe about Phillip Island in the pre-race press conference at Sepang. In particular, when he made allegations about Marc's integrity and cast aspersions as to whether he had actually been a fan of his as a child as Marc has claimed, I saw the perma- smile that we are so accustomed to fade. My immediate thought was, this is not Biaggi, no Gibernau, no Lorenzo...even Stoner - you've seriously ...... up there Valentino.
Once HRC get back inside that engine again over the winter and develop the new plant for 07, if they exploit the potential of the RCV in harmony with the shareware we may as well engrave the trophy in Marc's name for next year as well. I have no doubt that as a rider he will only get stronger psychologically and as his race craft improves, become unassailable. With Mav arriving in the Yamaha garage, the mind games and the intimidation will be directed elsewhere, particularly when the internal threat within the team gathers momentum.
As I saw it Vale was trying to match Marc's pace and paid the price probably under trail braking. Similarly, Lorenzo was responding to Dovi and also lost the front through pushing. Kudos to both riders, particularly Valentino for trying to take it to Marc. Interestingly lap records under the Michelin's tend to have come later in the race, with the Bridgestone's it was earlier.
Of course this forum needs Valentino - mythology aside and whatever any of his detractors think, the man is afterall a legend of the sport. I would argue that the sport needs him too, in whatever capacity, but in general, we need his fans like a dose of syphilis.
Entertainment? Absolutely - I get that from watching Vale ride a motorcycle, not his mobilisation of his pathetic yellow clad minions nor his pathetic attempts to besmirch other riders. Frankly it was .... when Valentino crashed out today - much worse than Jorge, because he was taking it to Marc. I don't care who wins, so long as I see close racing and as I have always said, I want to see as many riders not only up at the sharp end, but keeping it upright. Saying that, I was reminded of the shameless and deplorable jeering and cheering and celebrations of crashes amongst so called 'fans' of this sport - They are not, they are a fan base associated with one particular rider who refused to condemn such reprehensible trackside behaviour in the stands. I do not subscribe to belief in karma in the metaphysical sense, but I do think that whatever you put out there can have a habit of biting you on the .... I would not so much as allow myself a wry smile when Vale went down, because it disappointed me and always hope that the championship can go to the wire. However, the irony was not lost on me.
Absolutely agree Gaz. This was similar to Brendan Clarke when he was bought into replace the sacked Chris Walker on the NSR in 2001 - only Clarke had no championship to his name. In face, no one had heard his name.
Good news and thank you so much for posting this.
.
