Rossi and Stoner - What do they really think of each other?

First few races will be Stoner V's someone ..... not sure it will be Rossi .... but sure it will become obvious by about Round 4 who are the frontrunners and indeed even if Stoner is still the major player.

Lorenzo, Toseland, Dovi, De-Ang .... etc. are doing pretty impressively I wouldn't be surprised if they are up the front pretty quick. I don't think "Rookie" means as much for 800's. These new Rookies don't seem to know their place

And then there's allways going to be Pedrosa if he does recover by say round 2.

Not sure what to think about this night time Qatar thing yet ..... could be a total surprize.

One thing for sure its going to be a great season .......

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (alfonz1 @ Feb 19 2008, 07:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Surely if the fight for the championship is between Rossi and Stoner (which appears highly likely) they won't continue this crap where they pretend to be mates and respect each other?

Rossi never gets along with any of his serious rivals. It's what he does. I loved it when he was racing against Max and Sete.

I think if Rossi gets on top of Stoner and knows he can beat him or Stoner starts winning and gets a bit cocky we could see this change. I don't think it will take much if the championship is close and there is bit of pressure
i think they respect each other,but like one another.no.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jackabean21 @ Feb 19 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i think they respect each other,but like one another.no.

I would have to agree with that. No matter what happens I hope that they manage to keep the bad mouthing to a minimum. Would hate to have another Pedrosa on our hands....I think one is quite enough.

I don't think he will show any hatred to Casey because he will be too busy showing hatred towards Pedrosa and Lorenzo, especially seeing as I highly doubt it will be just Casey and Vale battling for the crown this season.

I think they respect eachother no doubt. This year the tire "issue" will be taken out of the equation, and the Yamaha seems to be on par, so I think there will less to point at anyway. I just think they are as much friends as any coworkers--some guys you go out with after work and have a beer and others you say high to in the hall and at meetings. No dislike I think, but healthy respect.

Keep in mind, if a guy wore a shirt at my work with my name on it as short list of "one of my heroes", well I couldn't really find a reason to dislike him, now would you?

Rossi is the master manipulator, he's like that bug in the Star Trek movie, gets into your brain and ends it slowly. I mean look at Sete, Rossi said he would never win another race, Sete said it was crap, and the next thing you know they are throwing him a retirement party...coincidence??? I think not, maybe Rossi really does have that mind meld thing working...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DON113X @ Feb 19 2008, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi is the master manipulator, he's like that bug in the Star Trek movie, gets into your brain and ends it slowly. I mean look at Sete, Rossi said he would never win another race, Sete said it was crap, and the next thing you know they are throwing him a retirement party...coincidence??? I think not, maybe Rossi really does have that mind meld thing working...

The thing with Biaggi started before Rossi even entered the big class. The Roman Emperor were a little too much "Cesar" like and treated Rossi like a nobody. He got what he asked for.
Sete and Rossi went along very well until Sete started bithcing about "the unsportmans like passes", and when his team sent in a protest for the Quatar thing Rossi had enough.
Rossi and Capirossi has been friends all the time, also all they way through '06 where capirossi was a contender for the championship until Catalunya.
I'm not defending Rossi here, because I really don't care who's friends with who, I'm just pointing out that generalizing based on two persons does not have any hold in reality.
Rossi can play hard on the mind games, but generally he does it on the track. For a situation like max and sete he had what he ment was a justified reason. I think Rossi and Stoner go along just fine, as Jumkie said like a pair of co workers. If it turns out that they can race side by side and neck to neck without any too hard blocking moves their relationship can even improve. They are both as tough as they come and if they have evenly matched equipment we can be in for a real treat this year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Feb 19 2008, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>First few races will be Stoner V's someone ..... not sure it will be Rossi .... but sure it will become obvious by about Round 4 who are the frontrunners and indeed even if Stoner is still the major player.

Lorenzo, Toseland, Dovi, De-Ang .... etc. are doing pretty impressively I wouldn't be surprised if they are up the front pretty quick. I don't think "Rookie" means as much for 800's. These new Rookies don't seem to know their place

And then there's allways going to be Pedrosa if he does recover by say round 2.

Not sure what to think about this night time Qatar thing yet ..... could be a total surprize.

One thing for sure its going to be a great season .......

I have only been a fan of MOTOGP for about 4 years. Usually when you reach this level in any sport it takes a few years to establish yourself. Why would any of these rookies be running at the front pretty quick? I assume that when you say "running at the front" they are able to keep pace with the leaders of the race, maybe top 3, or whatever the top pack is. You mention that "rookie" doesn't mean much for 800's, why? IMHO I don't see these rookies finishing in the top 5 this year.

I do seem to agree with you on the fact that every year in MOTOGP is a good year. Even last year I looked forward to every race and loved to see the drama unfold in between them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BarryMachine @ Feb 19 2008, 07:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>First few races will be Stoner V's someone ..... not sure it will be Rossi .... but sure it will become obvious by about Round 4 who are the frontrunners and indeed even if Stoner is still the major player.

Thats a strong statement with no real evidence... if theres any evidence Rossi is faster on Bridgestone.

No doubt Rossi respects him. This is his first REAL competition since he came into 500/Motogp and I think he's recognized that. His motivation is the new challenge, if Stoner hadn't come along last year this would probably have been his last season. Now we can all enjoy the scrap for a few more years. If Yamaha don't step up and he's obliterated again this year, he'll be on a Ducati next year. Mark my words because Melandri is history based on his pre-season. I both of them (and us) would love to see the two best riders on equal machinery.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Reel Nauti @ Feb 19 2008, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No doubt Rossi respects him. This is his first REAL competition since he came into 500/Motogp and I think he's recognized that.

His battles with Sete were some of the best racing i've seen and he was a tough opponent for more than one season.

Up until he left Honda i agree he had no competition but when he went to yamaha he was racing against guys on better bikes and still is with Stoner.

The difference was he beat them before but last year the michelins were disappointing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>QUOTE (Reel Nauti @ Feb 19 2008, 08:48 PM)
No doubt Rossi respects him. This is his first REAL competition since he came into 500/Motogp and I think he's recognized that.

what about kr jnr and hayden ?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Reel Nauti @ Feb 19 2008, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No doubt Rossi respects him. This is his first REAL competition since he came into 500/Motogp and I think he's recognized that. His motivation is the new challenge, if Stoner hadn't come along last year this would probably have been his last season. Now we can all enjoy the scrap for a few more years. If Yamaha don't step up and he's obliterated again this year, he'll be on a Ducati next year. Mark my words because Melandri is history based on his pre-season. I both of them (and us) would love to see the two best riders on equal machinery.

how is the first person to end his 5 year world champion streak not a threat to him?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DirtyD86 @ Feb 20 2008, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>how is the first person to end his 5 year world champion streak not a threat to him?

It's not that Hayden isn't a threat, but there is a question about his consistency. This year if Hayden can keep his lap time constant I seriously think he is one to look out for.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Feb 20 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>what about kr jnr and hayden ?

You're kidding right? KR won his title in Rossi's rookie year when Rossi was on a satellite Honda and KR a factory Suzuki. Rossi won his first world titles in 125, 250 and 500/motogp in his second year and no one could touch him in each category. Crucify me if you want to but Hayden didn't win his title, Yamaha and Rossi's season ending Valencia race crash lost it.

As for his battles with Gibernau and Biaggi. Yes, they were entertaining but even after he switched to Yamaha he was still winning 8+ races a season and wrapping the title up with a few races left. I don't think any of Rossi's championships went down to the last race. Stoner presents a challenge Rossi has never faced before, a rider that can beat him head to head and is smart enough to keep on racking up the points when he can't win.

My honest prediction for this season is (barring injury)Stoner being world champ again. I'm a Rossi fan and he'll definitely win his fair share but I've got to be realistic.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Reel Nauti @ Feb 21 2008, 09:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Crucify me if you want to but Hayden didn't win his title, Yamaha and Rossi's season ending Valencia race crash lost it.


you seem to forget a little incident that took place at estoril. if i remember correctly, hayden was leading the points up until that race, and had pedrosa not gone kamakaze on hayden, rossi dumping it in valencia would have made no difference. hayden won the 2006 championship fair and square, regardless of what point of view you may try to approach the situation from

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DirtyD86 @ Feb 21 2008, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>you seem to forget a little incident that took place at estoril. if i remember correctly, hayden was leading the points up until that race, and had pedrosa not gone kamakaze on hayden, rossi dumping it in valencia would have made no difference. hayden won the 2006 championship fair and square, regardless of what point of view you may try to approach the situation from

I haven't forgotten anything, that's why I said <u>YAMAHA </u>and Rossi. That Estoril incident was the first real piece of bad luck Hayden had all season. Sure, he was 2006 world champ but the stars aligned for him that year. Tony (scud) Elias, Michelin (chunking in China), Edwards crash in Assen. I could go on......................

A Rossi fan being realistic ..... now i have seen it all .

And why cant a Rookie mix it with the big boys ill go out there to say that Lorenzo will push Stoner & Rossi all the way this year.

And Hayden won the 2006 Championship full stop.

Sure Rossi might end up on a Ducati and that would make for the most intresting MotoGP Season ever !!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Reel Nauti @ Feb 22 2008, 07:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sure, he was 2006 world champ but the stars aligned for him that year.

Riders work their whole lives to get themselfes opertunities to be the world champion, no rider can win the championship without the "stars aligning" for them, and when they did Nicky maximized his opertunity. Thats how it goes.