I think the closest Superbike rider to a MotoGP ride right now is James Toesland. But one guy I'd like to see there is Jake Zemke. I've never seen Jake race, but I've read a bit, and I think he has a lot of potential. It would be intresting to see how he fares on the World Championship circuit. Perhaps World Superbikes first, but he just strikes me as the kind of guy who could hack it in MotoGP, given some experience.
Pedrosa's attitude
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Looks like this thread turned into a Dani character judgment. My long-winded post on the first page indicates that I am in the "Dani is an ......." camp. I'd like to clarify that I don't think Dani is a bad person (how could I possibly know?). I was only trying to figure out why his approach at Estoril was so off (his approach to the weekend in general, not his approach to that one corner
). Maybe it all comes down to the pressure put on him, the pressure to achieve, to be another addition to Honda's line of great riders (Lawson, Gardner, Doohan, Rossi, etc.). He was going after the race win with a single-mindedness that perhaps only racers know. But he apparently realized his error and all turned out nicely anyway.
As for Dani's "bland" demeanor, I find it fascinating. Quiet and introverted people are more interesting to me; it says there is something more to them than meets the eye or camera. That smile-less stare with eyes seemingly aimed at a prize constantly hovering in front of his face indicates one seriously determined rider. Hopefully taking himself too seriosuly isn't his downfall. Max looked serious as well, yet he was shown up by the glowing Rossi. I guess we will see...when the damn season finally starts.
As for Dani's "bland" demeanor, I find it fascinating. Quiet and introverted people are more interesting to me; it says there is something more to them than meets the eye or camera. That smile-less stare with eyes seemingly aimed at a prize constantly hovering in front of his face indicates one seriously determined rider. Hopefully taking himself too seriosuly isn't his downfall. Max looked serious as well, yet he was shown up by the glowing Rossi. I guess we will see...when the damn season finally starts.
I totally agree with that post. Cheers Mr. Shupe, a well witten response to the original question.
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jan 22 2007, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Looks like this thread turned into a Dani character judgment.
Maybe it all comes down to the pressure put on him, the pressure to achieve
Hi Mr. Shupe. It’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
Yes, many of us make character judgments. Usually based on little but a gesture and a sound bite. Though I think it was qualified by some to say "who really knows"; its still part of our nature to do it as a spectator and a fan of the sport, as well as for personal entertainment. But when others closer to the paddock who get paid to figure out what makes these guys tick confirm our own bias regarding these guys, by saying this guy is “awkward”, well simply put, it serves to substantiate sometimes our shallow-spectator’s assessment. Some riders people like, some they don’t, even though realistically, none of us will ever go out to dinner and a movie with any of these guys. So liking them, or making character judgments, may be irrelevant, but is part of the entertaining side of being a fan of the sport.
Pressure? Which do you think of the two Honda riders had more pressure on him in Portugal? I think all the factory riders have great pressure as well. The Yamaha riders were also under tremendous pressure. These guys are always under tremendous pressure. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounded to me that there was a bit of an excuse to Pedrosa’s crash due to pressure placed upon him, which may or may not be the case, but if we are to talk pressure, I think the guy that had more of it in that particular race was Hayden. Therefore, it is fair to say, how a rider deals with that pressure is part of their character. Now imagine the pressure that went on in Valencia for the two contenders. Once again, tremendous pressure, and how did they handle that pressure, hints a bit, in my opinion directly or indirectly to character.
Maybe it all comes down to the pressure put on him, the pressure to achieve
Hi Mr. Shupe. It’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
Yes, many of us make character judgments. Usually based on little but a gesture and a sound bite. Though I think it was qualified by some to say "who really knows"; its still part of our nature to do it as a spectator and a fan of the sport, as well as for personal entertainment. But when others closer to the paddock who get paid to figure out what makes these guys tick confirm our own bias regarding these guys, by saying this guy is “awkward”, well simply put, it serves to substantiate sometimes our shallow-spectator’s assessment. Some riders people like, some they don’t, even though realistically, none of us will ever go out to dinner and a movie with any of these guys. So liking them, or making character judgments, may be irrelevant, but is part of the entertaining side of being a fan of the sport.
Pressure? Which do you think of the two Honda riders had more pressure on him in Portugal? I think all the factory riders have great pressure as well. The Yamaha riders were also under tremendous pressure. These guys are always under tremendous pressure. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounded to me that there was a bit of an excuse to Pedrosa’s crash due to pressure placed upon him, which may or may not be the case, but if we are to talk pressure, I think the guy that had more of it in that particular race was Hayden. Therefore, it is fair to say, how a rider deals with that pressure is part of their character. Now imagine the pressure that went on in Valencia for the two contenders. Once again, tremendous pressure, and how did they handle that pressure, hints a bit, in my opinion directly or indirectly to character.
Joined Mar 2006
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I wasn't really excusing 'ol Pedro's kamikaze antics; nor was I telling anybody to step off (sorry, should've been more clear). I was merely clarifying that I wasn't in the F Dani camp.
You're absolutely right that speculation in regards to a rider's integrity is a part of bench racing. Have at it.
Now about the pressure. As you said earlier in this thread, Dani is a man. Men don't always handle pressure well. Sometimes they crack and make costly mistakes (since you seem to like baseball, think of Chuck Knoblauch). I brought up the possible effects of pressure on Dani's thought process in an effort to say that it isn't necessarily as simple as being a jerk. As has been proven time and time again in sports, the weight that competing at the highest level puts on one's shoulders can make even the best look stupid.
Now about the pressure. As you said earlier in this thread, Dani is a man. Men don't always handle pressure well. Sometimes they crack and make costly mistakes (since you seem to like baseball, think of Chuck Knoblauch). I brought up the possible effects of pressure on Dani's thought process in an effort to say that it isn't necessarily as simple as being a jerk. As has been proven time and time again in sports, the weight that competing at the highest level puts on one's shoulders can make even the best look stupid.
Joined Oct 2006
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Your Mom's House
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. Shupe @ Jan 22 2007, 03:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I wasn't really excusing 'ol Pedro's kamikaze antics;
Ah, I never thought Ckuck Noblock would ever be mentioned here. Haha, that's great man. I get it. Ok, I see what you are saying.
Well anyway, I'm a bit of a F Dani camper. But hey, I did say it once and I'll reluctantly say it again, I'll be watching very closely on my “bench” this year and see if he can't change my mind. (That's as open-minded as I can get I'm afraid regarding this guy).
Ah, I never thought Ckuck Noblock would ever be mentioned here. Haha, that's great man. I get it. Ok, I see what you are saying.
Well anyway, I'm a bit of a F Dani camper. But hey, I did say it once and I'll reluctantly say it again, I'll be watching very closely on my “bench” this year and see if he can't change my mind. (That's as open-minded as I can get I'm afraid regarding this guy).
